REINBECK - A parade during the hottest part of the day in the middle of a heat wave was not enough to keep a good-sized crowd from celebrating the holiday.
Yes, it was a scorcher for the Reinbeck Fourth of July parade Wednesday afternoon as temperatures in the 90s made for plenty of red faces and drenched T-shirts.
Hoping to help parade entrants and guests, Reinbeck City Administrator Quentin Mayberry set up tables with cups of water to hand out. He said he was surprised at the big crowd that came out despite the hottest weather he's seen at the parade during his 11 years in town.
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T-R PHOTO BY ANDREW POTTER
Reinbeck Cub Scouts get handed bottles of water as they ride on a float during the Reinbeck Fourth of July parade Wednesday. It was one of the hottest parades in recent memory in Reinbeck.
"It looks normal to me," Mayberry said. "I guess the kids still want their candy."
The town also had two air conditioned places where people could cool off - city hall and the Memorial Building. Mayberry said there was no talk to move the parade due to the weather.
"It's always been on the Fourth," he said.
One of the more popular floats of the day was the Farmer's Feed & Supply/Napa Auto Parts entry, which was tossing out freeze pops.
Amber Elsberry was on the float and said they had 600 freeze pops to hand out.
"The kids love them," she said. "They're a good hit today."
Among the other events during the day included games in the park, a car show and music.
The annual celebration wrapped up Wednesday night with a blast as the fireworks show lit up the sky.