The Dysart Lions Club Grand Parade – led by a Dysart Police Department cruiser and members of both Dysart and Traer's American Legion posts – promenades from the south up Main Street last Thursday at mid-morning in honor of America’s 248th birthday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – The weather was truly spectacular last Thursday at mid-morning for Dysart’s annual Lions Club Grand Parade held in celebration of Independence Day – temperatures topped out in the upper 70s and the sun mostly shone amid a smattering of clouds and the occasional sprinkle.

Kicking off from the Union Middle School parking lot at 11 a.m., the parade led by a Dysart Police Dept. cruiser looped its way around town along the traditional route which included a grand procession up Main Street from the south.

Folks from both near and far dressed in patriotic red, white, and blue to line the community’s main thoroughfare, waving flags and their hands at all who passed by from emergency responders in their trucks and ambulances to business owners and politicians driving golf carts to area reunion classes and local sports teams riding on hayracks.

Near the front of the parade, 2024 Grand Marshal Kenny Zeien waved from the passenger seat of a Dysart Fire Department truck, while 2024 Citizen of the Year Ken Tanner did the same from a stylish classic car.

Paradegoer Romi Hammond, 3, of rural Dysart was in attendance alongside her parents Lee and Emily, and baby sister Cinna. Between her curly hair and fantastic waving ability that gave Tama County Fair Queen Adelyn Sienknecht a good run for her money as she passed by perched atop the back of an open-top car, Miss Romi stole the show at the intersection of Main and Clark streets where the parade made a turn to the west. A good number of folks complimented her parents following the parade on their daughter’s sweet demeanor and adorable enthusiasm.

Romi Hammond, 3, of rural Dysart, smiles with glee while scooping up candy at the intersection of Main and Clark streets during the Dysart Lions Club Grand Parade held on July 4, 2024, in honor of America’s 248th birthday. Miss Romi – who was in attendance alongside her parents and baby sister – made it a point to wave at practically every parade float that passed her by on Thursday morning. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Later that day, Club Dysart’s annual fireworks display wasn’t as fortunate concerning the weather. The show, originally scheduled for dusk, was ultimately delayed – and also moved to the drier Hatch Grading & Contracting parking lot – due to a fierce storm whipping through the area. As soon as the storm passed, the fireworks began to fly high into the night sky, putting a grand period on another successful Dysart Fourth of July celebration.

Local Legionnaires from both the Dysart and La Porte City posts wave to paradegoers while riding on a float near the front of the Dysart Lions Club Grand Parade which took place last Thursday morning. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Folks line the south end of Main Street on July 4, 2024, for the Dysart Lions Club Grand Parade which kicked off from Union Middle School at 11 a.m. PHOTO BY RUBY F.

Supporters of Casey Schmidt for Tama County Sheriff including his mother Jodi Schmidt — aka JuJu — and his eldest daughter Natalie Schmidt smile while riding in the back of a golf cart driven by Schmidt's wife, Cady Schmidt (off frame), during Dysart's annual July 4 parade. The Schmidts along with their three children reside in Dysart. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A pair of young supporters with the Traer Fire Department briefly pause from throwing candy to wave while riding atop a fire truck during Dysart’s Lions Club Grand Parade held last Thursday morning. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Dysart Lions Club 2024 Citizen of the Year Ken Tanner waves from the passenger seat of a classic car during the Lions Club Grand Parade held last week Thursday in honor of Independence Day. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A pair of patriotically dressed ladies ride in an equally stylish, baby blue 1947 Willys Jeep driven in memory of the late Robert 'Bob' Gumbert of Dysart during the Lions Club Grand Parade last Thursday. Gumbert, a longtime member of the Dysart Lions Club, passed away in April of 2022. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

'Thank you, Farmers!' Father and son John, Jr. and Brian Weber wave and throw candy to paradegoers from their family's Summit Seed float during the Dysart Lions Club Grand Parade on July 4, 2024. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A hayrack packed with members of the Dysart Swim Team pictured on July 4, 2024, during the Dysart Lions Club Grand Parade. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Supporters of state Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls) lead the way ahead of the senator who was driving the float car just behind them. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

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