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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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It didn’t rain on Wayland’s parade
Independence Day celebrations went off without a hitch in Wayland
WAYLAND — With heavy clouds covering the sky, this year’s Fourth of July offered a cool morning to enjoy festivities like the annual Lions Club breakfast, parade, and firefighter water games in Wayland.
Despite rain showers threatening to ruin many Independence Day activities last week, the streets of Wayland filled with eager parade spectators to celebrate the patriotic holiday. Community members, local businesses, organizations, and first responders tossed candy and other goodies in an impressive lineup.
While the sunshine did not break through the clouds, small-town pride did shine brightly as Tim Meyer announced families in tractors with carts, local businesses with floats, and Grand Marshals Robert and Vickie Achen.
“They’re the epitome of dedication and perseverance in farming,” Meyer described the grand marshals.
According to Meyer, Robert and Vickie Achen’s story began as high school sweethearts at WACO. They left their hometown to attend Iowa State University, then AIB College. From there they cultivated their passion for agriculture as they focused on dairy farming.
As they grew their family, the two then relocated back to their hometown of Wayland and transitioned to grain and turkey farming. Through Robert Achen’s work with West Liberty Foods and Agri-partners, he demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to advocate for the local agricultural community, according to Meyer’s brief description of the Grand Marshals.
Robert and Vickie Achen proceeded to raise five children in the very school district where their story began. As active parents and community members, Robert and Vickie joined the booster club to enhance extracurricular activities for all WACO students. Additionally, Robert served many years on the WACO school board and played a crucial role in advocating for and supporting the bond issue to make the new addition to the elementary building possible.
“Their commitment to the Wayland community is as strong as their bond raising five children in Wayland, all of whom followed in their footsteps attending ISU,” Meyer said.
Robert and Vickie Achen smiled and waved as they made their way through the parade and received an equally warm response from those along the parade route.
While many residents enjoyed seeing pillars of the community like the Achens pass by, the younger crowd appreciated the parade for other reasons.
A nearly 4-year-old Abel Dietz from Washington watched the parade pass and exclaimed, “Look at that one!” to his dad Adam Dietz as a tractor passed by. His 1.5-year-old sister Aynslie Dietz enjoyed playing in bubbles blown by her mom, Alyx Dietz.
According to Abel, he came to the parade because, “I want to get candy.” His shark-shaped mini backpack filled with sweets proved he achieved his goal.
Thankfully, by Thursday evening, most of the clouds had cleared and the fireworks displayed by the Wayland Volunteer Firefighters and donated by the City of Wayland went off without a hitch, but with plenty of large booms.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
