Overcast skies created a pleasant setting for the thousands who watched the 37th annual Bell Tower Festival parade Saturday.
The parade, which draws the largest audience of any festival event, is organized by the Rotary Club of Jefferson.
The parade featured a pair of bands, 32 tractors, power tumblers, the Rat Patrol of the Abu Bekr Shrine of Sioux City, politicians, Cy, and more candy than children could keep picked up.
The Jefferson public library was the non-commercial winner in the float competition with its salute to the summer reading program theme, “On your mark, Get set, Read!”
Home State Bank won in the commercial division with a representation of the construction of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower 50 years ago.
ISU Extension & Outreach won the theme award for best carrying out the FIFTY Fest theme of this year’s festival. FIFTY Fest was a salute to the 50th anniversary of the bell tower. Extension’s float celebrated the 100th birthday of Extension.
