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Wayland surprises Bev Conrad as Grand Marshal
Wayland’s beloved city clerk Bev Conrad was stunned to find herself leading the Fourth of July parade as Grand Marshal in a surprise honor recognizing her decades of community service
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WAYLAND — Bev Conrad thought she was helping organize Wayland’s Fourth of July parade this year. Instead, she ended up as one of the main attractions.
Conrad, a longtime Wayland resident and city clerk, was surprised Thursday morning when she was announced as the 2025 Grand Marshal, a last-minute honor that caught even her off guard.
“It was very much a surprise, that's for sure,” Conrad said after the parade. “I’m on the Fourth of July committee, and the person we had chosen fell ill, so we just weren't going to have one at all this year. Or that's what I thought.”
But the rest of the committee had kept a secret.
“They kind of sprung that on me,” she said. “They kept it a good secret, which is what we intend to do every year, but they surpassed what I expected. That’s not supposed to happen!”
As the convertible carrying Conrad rolled down Wayland’s Main Street, many recognized her as the smiling face from city hall, school events, community boards, or church.
Conrad was the youngest of seven children in the Morrow family, who moved to Wayland in 1969 when she was entering first grade. She graduated from WACO High School in 1981 and earned a Secretarial Certificate from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.
She married Bryan Conrad in 1983, and they raised two sons, Jarod and Cody. The couple now has three grandsons: Chase, Talon, and Cash.
For nearly 20 years, Conrad has worked as Wayland’s city clerk. She previously worked for A & D Management and State Farm Insurance and has volunteered extensively throughout the community.
She was a contributing writer for the Wayland Reporter, used her photography skills at WACO schools, and helped lead projects like the Splash Pad and West Park renovations.
Conrad also served the North Plains Estates subdivision, helped organize the now-closed Wayland Museum, and currently assists the City of Olds with clerking duties.
She leads or supports several local boards, serving as head of the Zoning Committee, president of Little Me & Co. Day Care, and secretary of Wayland Economic Development.
Her service extends to her church, the Independent Bible Church, where she teaches Sunday School and Children’s Church, serves as Church Historian, and manages treasury duties.
“She loves small town life and the people living here — the friendly faces, local traditions and having a sense of belonging,” the parade emcee said as she rode by in a red convertible. “Bev always has a smile and a ‘hello’ to share with everyone she meets. Let’s give her a smile and a wave back as we congratulate her on this prestigious award!”
Thursday’s celebration brought hundreds to Wayland for a full day of festivities. Locals were joined by visitors from across Southeast Iowa — including Mt. Pleasant, Winfield, Washington, and Crawfordsville — as well as out-of-state families returning home for the holiday.
The day began with a Lions Club pancake breakfast, followed by the parade, which featured fire trucks, tractors, classic cars, youth groups, and candy-tossing participants. Children lined the streets with bags open, eager to scoop up sweets.
Events continued with lunch at WACO high school and fireworks at dusk.
For many, the highlight of the day wasn’t the entertainment, but the community spirit — something Conrad has spent decades helping to build.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
