“Happy Birthday America” was the theme for Arlee’s Fourth of July parade, celebrating 250 years of the U.S.A. There were American flags billowing everywhere, and red, white, and blue clothing was popular. 

Since the temperatures were inching up to 80 degrees at noon when the parade began, the adults were hunting for shade while kids waited for candy along the parade route. The Mission Valley Honor Guard carried the colors and stepped out to begin the parade, followed by Wes Mapston, the grand marshal, riding in a vintage cream-colored convertible.

It was a one-horse parade, and that horse was Evelyn Clough’s pony Rocky, decked out in red, white and blue. Several floats, one with the Statue of Liberty, cruised through town, along with vintage cars, a group of kids leading goats, firetrucks, Smokey Bear, and a huge old army truck with Speedie’s Towing stenciled on the side. 

After the parade, participants stopped by the Arlee/Jocko Museum to see if they won a trophy. The museum also hosted a birthday party with cake, refreshments and yard games and debuted this year’s displays (it continues to be open by appointment during the summer).

The Cable Girls won the grand prize; Jimmy Pickens’s float was named Most Patriotic; and The Pegasus Bar had the Best Commercial Float. Other winners were Arlee Little Guy Wrestling, Clubs; Home Church, Best Organization; Kenna Baylor, Indian outfit, Tiny Tot; Melena Zimmerman, Indian Outfit, Youth; Chanse Tibbetts, Grease Monkey category; Shelly Fyant, candidate for House District 9, Civic Presentation; Evelyn Clough and Rocky, Western Outfit; and Don Dean, ’64 Chevelle, Vehicles.

There were several winners in various Novelty categories, including Pat O’Connor, Jesse Pfau, Mason Good (Speedy’s Towing truck), Emily Higley (dirt bike), Steven Clough (Novelty youth), and Clayton Trimble (Novelty Vehicle).

    Riding on the Redtail Accounting Services float in the Arlee 4th of July Parade, Ruby wears her Fourth of July sunnies and has a handful of candy to throw for lucky children. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)

 Riding her faithful pony Rocky, Evelyn Clough wears a Fourth of July hat and has Rocky decked out in USA patchwork. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
 The Statue of Liberty appeared on a float in the Arlee Fourth of July Parade beside a giant birthday cake for America. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
 The Science Women group marches in the Arlee Fourth of July parade, carrying signs expressing their beliefs. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)