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 Leading
the parade was the American Legion Color Guard followed by Grand
Marshall and then the Olympia Spartan’s Marching Band.
The theme this year was “Television Days Gone By,” which was
reflected by a few floats and costumed individuals.
The Flowerbuds float was decorated to look like the set of the
television show “Green Acres” with two members dressed as characters
from the show.
Zach’s Heating and Cooling had a float decorated to look like
Gilligan’s Island. Children on the float were dressed as Gilligan
and Mary Ann.
Other individuals were dressed as Wednesday Addams, C3PO from Star
Wars and zombies.
Leading the parade was the American Legion Color Guard followed by
parade Grand Marshall Tom Parks.
The newly Crowned Atlanta Fall Festival Princess Elizabeth
Jones-White rode through the parade in a red convertible.
Other royalty riding in the parade included Logan County Fair Queen
Ellyn Martinez, Junior Miss Ellie Wrage and Little Miss Kodi
Eigenbrod.
Additional entries included elected officials from around the county
and a few area businesses.
The parade also featured several local emergency units such as the
Atlanta Fire Department, Atlanta Rescue Squad, and an ambulance.
Another vehicle was an Atlanta Police Department vehicle.
The Olympia Spartans were represented by the
school band, the football team, the cheerleaders and the dance team.
Olympia’s FFA organization float had two people dressed in pig
costumes along with the FFA members.
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Representing Heartland Community College was Site
Director Jennifer Kirby and the Heartland Hawk.
Lincoln Challenge Academy Drumline marched through the parade
playing their bass drums.
Shriners in their Tin Lizzies were followed by the Bloomington
Shrine Calliope Unit with its music.
A replica of the Hawes elevator represented that business. Other
businesses represented were Copley Electric and Naughton Auction
House.
In commemoration of the Atlanta Museum’s 50th anniversary, the
museum’s float was decorated with old quilts. A sign on the side
honored museum founder Lucille Pech, who was nicknamed the Route 66
grandma.
Several people drove their antique or sporty vehicles along the
parade route.
Rounding up the entries were horses and riders from Breezy Riding
Academy and other places.
As always, children watching the parade dashed to catch candy being
thrown.
Once the parade was over, awards were given out.
Children receiving awards for walking were Kiara Bennett and Lyle
Bennett who were dressed as zombies and Azul Kong who was dressed as
Wednesday Addams. There was also a bike rider who received an award.
First place for a non-profit was awarded to the
Flowerbuds for their Green Acres themed float.
First place for schools was awarded to Olympia’s FFA float.
First place for businesses was awarded to Zach’s Heating and Cooling
for their Gilligan’s Island themed float.
Other Sunday afternoon activities included an ice cream social and
musical entertainment by a brass band made up of ISU music students.
There was also the drawing for the bucket chance raffle. Bouncy
houses were inflated one last time for the kids to get some energy
out after all the sugary treats.
Sunday’s events drew a great fall festival weekend to a close.
[Angela Reiners]
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