Celebrating the 4th of July in Siouxland, Whiting

There is nothing like celebrating the Fourth of July in a small town and attending its parade. The enthusiasm of the participants and the residents and guests who come to watch is unmatched. I visited Whiting, Iowa for its Independence Day celebration this Fourth of July and enjoyed a hometown celebration, joy and pride. Honoring their nation and those who serve it and those who live in it.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Grain elevators loom over the downtown area as people celebrate the Fourth of July parade in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

No parade in a small rural community is complete without implement machinery as people watch and participate celebrating the Fourth of July in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

PATTI MARR, Whiting, Iowa, poses as Miss Liberty on a family float celebrating the Fourth of July during the parade in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

CORI PERSINGER, left dressed for the holidy, and EVA UHL, right, grabbing tossed candy, are sisters from Kansas City, MO, watching the Fourth of July parade while visiting family in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

Some of the names on the Whiting American Legion WWII Service Board situated on the community’s main street as residents and guests celebrate the Fourth of July parade in Whiting, Iowa Thursday, July 4, 2016.

Celebrating the 4th of July in Siouxland, Mapleton

Celebrating the 4th of July in a Siouxland small community is pretty much the same as in a large community. People get together, there may be a cookout, a parade and general relaxing on a national holiday. But small towns may do some things a little differently, as a friend told me it is just weird to have farm machinery in a parade.

I attended the 4th of July parade at the Siouxland community of Mapleton, Iowa. It has a population a little over 1,200 people. The parade included a number of entries that also included the farm equipment, antique tractors and other floats that my friend thought a little strange. But that is the beauty of small towns, this parade reflects the residents and its occupants and neighbors. Prior to the parade families were hanging out in the local park, eating food, most of which is homemade or cooked on the spot, and enjoying various entertainment that included karaoke, bouncey tents for kids and a small country combo.

It was a nice event, on a nice day and a chance to see how the sacrifices of those that came before us allows the rest of us to enjoy this solitude and holiday in even the smallest communities.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Families filled the city park as they celebrate the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

A young girl gets her face painted while celebrating the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Holiday fare includes grilled burgers, homemade pie and ice cream for celebrating the Fourth of July like in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

A country band performs after the holiday parade as people celebrate the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Residents stand to honor the American flag while celebrating the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Two friends pose for their holiday photo while celebrating the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

There were a variety of floats as people celebrate the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Parade participants wore their decorations as they tossed candy to spectators while celebrating the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

A variety of floats made their way along the parade as people celebrate the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

People lined the street to watch the parade and celebrate the Fourth of July in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

In small towns antique tractors and farm equipment is part of any parade celebrating the Fourth of July like in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Even farm equipment is part of any small town parade celebrating the Fourth of July like in Mapleton, Iowa, Saturday July 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)