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Turns out, 3:30 in the afternoon is a good time to start a parade.
That was true Sunday when bright sunshine cast just enough shade along Center Street – especially on the south side of the street – for hundreds and hundreds of spectators to find a cool spot and enjoy the annual Kosciusko County Community Fair Parade.
Those lining the 1.8-mile stretch from West Center Street through the downtown and east to Bronson Street near the fairgrounds witnessed a parade that probably rivals the North Webster’s Mermaid Festival parade and included roughly 170 vehicles.
The show kicked off with more than 30 emergency vehicles – cop cars, fire trucks and ambulances – leading the way with sirens blaring.
Minutes later, a procession of tractors – 60 or so including many spiffed-up antiques – reinforced the reason behind the parade and the fair itself.
Also in the mix were more about 20 vehicles and floats featuring different businesses, including most area radio stations.
Onlookers were politely showered with a stream of candies tossed from vehicles, and one float was armed with water guns, which might have felt nice in the 84-degree sunshine.
Two monster trucks and a large balloon promoting Lutheran Health Network gave the parade some visual heft.
For many of the kids in attendance, though, it was all about police cars and candy.
Linda Sainer brought three of her family, including an infant grandson, Bently, to the parade. They camped out under the shade near the old Crownover Jewelry Store on Center Street.
“I just like to come downtown and see people,” Sainer said. “He likes the cop cars.”
Some Politics
What Bently probably did not appreciate was a good dose of politics that was part of the parade and included 3rd District U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, who trotted along on foot.
Other numerous participating candidates included 18th District State Rep. Dave Wolkins and his challenger in the general election, Dee Moore. Both Republican and Democratic parties had entries.
Ron Shoemaker, a Warsaw city councilman who is considering a run for mayor, sat in a convertible and waved to the crowd with his son, Ronnie.
Lined up back-to-back were three vehicles touting “Joe Must Go” signs aimed at Mayor Joe Thallemer, who is up for re-election next year.
Next to those were a string of vehicles supporting racing at the Warsaw Motorsports Complex, which is an ongoing debate as the fair board faces a lawsuit by property owners who oppose motorized racing at the fairgrounds.
A Good Start
In some ways, the parade acts as a magnet and draws people into the fairgrounds to kick off the fair week, which continues through Saturday.
Except for a train that halted the parade for 10 or 15 minutes, Fair Board President Kevin Harris said he was pleased with the turnout in participants and spectators.
This year marked the fourth in a row the parade started on the west side of the city. In previous years, it started in Winona Lake and headed west, Harris said.
“Everybody seems to like the new route,” Harris said. “It’s a little bit longer, but more visible.”
Attendance immediately after at the fair can often be hit or miss, but by Sunday evening, the fairgrounds quickly became busy. By 5 p.m. there were a dozen people lined up for ice cream at the Leesburg Dairy Bar next to the dairy barn.
“Everything hinges on the weather,” Harris said this morning. “If it’s real hot out, they won’t come out. If it’s raining, they won’t come out, but yesterday was a beautiful day.”
