Correction: Fort Atkinson Online photographer Kim McDarison regretfully missed an opportunity to photograph Assembly District 31 candidate Brienne Brown as she marched in Whitewater’s Fourth of July parade. Brown, and three other candidates running for the Assembly seat, marched in the parade. Her name and a contributed photo has been added to this story.
By Kim McDarison
Whitewater held its annual four-day weekend Fourth of July celebratory event, which, on Monday, included a Fourth of July parade.
According to parade organizers, the city anticipated some 5,000 visitors from around the area arriving to watch the parade.
Among guests marching in the parade this year was Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers who is running for reelection this fall.
He was joined by more than 50 parade entrants, organizers said.
This year’s parade grand marshal was Master Sgt. Steve Edwards.
According to information supplied by Whitewater Lions Club member and Communications-Fourth of July Chairman Don McComb, this year’s parade included five marching bands, along with returning parade favorites such as the Gemuetlechkeit Days float, multifaceted entertainer and accordion player Steve Meisner, Victor Gonzalez mariachi band, horses, firetrucks, classic cars, vintage tractors, and youth groups of all variety.
The parade included a float offered by Ferradermis, the Whitewater High School robotics club, which featured a working robot that entertained the crowd.
Zor Shriners mini cars were a crowd pleaser and also received “Best of Parade” in a competition for entrants.
Several area businesses joined in the fun, producing colorfully decorated floats, costuming and other presentations.
Crowned pageant winners graced this year’s parade, including several winners of the 2022 Miss Whitewater pageant which was held Friday. Riding together in the parade were Whitewater’s Junior Miss Jaylynn Traxler and Little Miss Haley Gutierrez. Waving to the crowd was Miss Teen Whitewater Lydia Bols and Miss Whitewater Jordyn Damhorst. Also on hand were Walworth County’s The Fairest of the Fair Jessica Markham and Lima 4-H Queen Katy Farrey.
With statewide elections coming this fall, and partisan primary elections slated in August, several candidates running for office walked the parade route and waved to the crowd.
Among them were two candidates for Walworth County Sheriff, including Undersheriff Dave Gerber and Craig Konopski.
Sheriff Kurt Picknell, who also was a parade participant, announced earlier this year that he would be seeking retirement by the end of the year.
Several candidates running for legislative seats were also in the parade, including Republican candidates Jason Dean, Ellen Schutt and Maryann Zimmerman, and Democratic candidate Brienne Brown, all of whom are running for the open seat in Assembly District 31.
Running for a seat in Wisconsin Assembly District 33, Democratic candidate Don Vruwink walked the route and waved to constituents.
Additionally, Ann Roe, a Democrat from Janesville who is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Congressional District 1, participated in the parade.
Parade competition winners
According to information supplied by McComb, winners of this year’s parade competition are as follows:
Best of Parade: Zor Shriners mini cars.
Youth: first place, Southern Wakes; second place, Ferradermis Whitewater High School Robotics; third place, Whitewater High School football.
Business and commercial floats: first place, ReVamp Nutrition, second place, Productive Living Systems; third place, Willowbrook Golf Course.
Neighborhood and Adult: first place, Bethel House; second place, Whitewater Parks and Recreation; third place, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Athletics.
Costumed marchers: first place, Gemütlichkeit Days; second place, Ice Age Trail Alliance; third place, Santa – Gary Hetzel.
Horse and Pony: first place, Whitewater Area Mounted Search Team and Rescue (WAMSTAR); second place, Trinity Smith-Hicks; third place, Tomomitsu family.
An album of nearly 100 photos is viewable by clicking the image below.
Click the image above to view photos from Whitewater’s Fourth of July parade.
Assembly District 31 candidate Brienne Brown marches Monday in the Whitewater Fourth of July parade. An opportunity to photograph the candidate was regretfully missed by photographer Kim McDarison. Brown, along with Assembly District 31 candidates Jason Dean, Ellen Schutt and Maryann Zimmerman, participated in the parade. Contributed photo.
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Four of the six members of the Color Guard leading the Whitewater 4th of July Parade consisted of members of American Legion Post 173. You mentioned the VFW but neglected to mention the American Legion as a number of our members have pointed out to me. It’s probably too late to do anything about it now but I wanted you to know that there is more than one veteran’s organization involved.
Thank you for letting me know.