A patriotically decorated John Deere tractor is driven down Main Street in the Dysart Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

DYSART – The Dysart Lions Club Independence Day parade took place last week Tuesday under perfect blue skies and to a packed house along Main Street. Downtown crowds for the parade – which began on the western edge of Dysart at Union Middle School – were the biggest many event organizers had ever seen, no doubt boosted by those in town for the Sesquicentennial celebrations which transpired over the two days prior.

The parade was led again this year by Dysart Police Officer Jeremy Stenda but in a new ride – instead of his police cruiser, Officer Stenda tootled down the streets of Dysart in a golf cart kitted out with a flashing emergency light on top.

Members of the Dysart, Clutier, and Traer American Legion Color and Rifle Guards were also featured at the front of the parade.

The Union High School marching band provided patriotic music.

Dysart Sesquicentennial Committee chair Marcia Knupp was named Parade Marshal for 2023, while Kevin and Rhonda Lassen were awarded the Dysart Lions Club Citizens of the Year.

A float pulled by a pair of horses in memory of Dennis Wieben participates in the Dysart Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Three different candidates for Tama County Sheriff – Tama Co. Detective Luke Dvorak, Tama Co. Detective Trevor Killian, and Tama Co. K-9 Deputy Casey Schmidt – all had floats prominently featured in the parade. Although Tama Co. Sheriff Dennis Kucera has not officially announced his retirement, he has alluded several times over the past year to Tama-Grundy Publishing that he will not run in 2024.

Following the parade, many of the parade-goers made their way to the city park for Club Dysart’s annual Fourth of July bash which was capped off later that evening with fireworks by ​​pyrotechnician Jason Rude.

Independence Day next year takes place on a Thursday.

Members of the Dysart-Geneseo High School Class of 1978 throw candy to the Main Street crowds during Dysart's 2023 Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

American Legion Color Guard and Rifle Guard members from Dysart, Traer, and Clutier participate in the Dysart Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Members of the Dysart, Clutier, and Traer American Legion posts ride on a parade float. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Kenny Elliott with Dysart’s Myers-Gordy-Pippert American Legion Post 335 pulls the Avenue of Flags float with a tractor down Main Street last Tuesday during the Dysart Lions Club Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Marcia Knupp, Grand Marshal of this year's Independence Day Parade in Dysart and chair of the Dysart Sesquicentennial Committee, waves to the crowd. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Dysart Lions Club Citizens of the Year Kevin and Rhonda Lassen ride in the Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The Union High School marching band performs in the Dysart Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

A member of Dysart Ambulance waves from the back of an ambulance while turning onto Clark Street during the July 4 parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

A youngster prepares to toss candy to the crowds from the cab of one of several Dysart Fire Department parade floats. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

One of Traer Fire Department’s trucks displaying the community’s Sesquicentennial banner turns onto Clark Street during the Dysart Independence Day parade. The communities of Dysart, Traer, and Garrison all celebrate 150th birthdays in 2023. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Traer Fire Chief Tyler Sell drives his department's aerial fire truck in the Dysart Independence Day Parade with Mrs. Sell riding shotgun. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Laura Wilson, left, smiles while riding on the Tama County Against Turbines float alongside fellow members Richard Arp (center) and Kathy Harkema (right). PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Members of the Dysart-Geneseo High School Class of 1973 celebrating 50 years in today's Independence Day Parade in Dysart! PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The Dysart Historical Society’s Sesquicentennial parade float pictured in the Independence Day Parade last week Tuesday. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

A man waves while driving a beautifully restored Oliver tractor in the Dysart Independence Day Parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON