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‘THIS
From left: Rachel Guthmiller, Lady Liberty and Rachel’s youngest daughter, 11-year-old Taralyn, ride on the Menno Lumber Company float as part of Menno’s Fourth of July parade late Friday morning. The red, white and blue-bejeweled float won first place in the “commercial” category and was one of 87 entries in this year’s hour-long parade. PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER
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By Jeremy Waltner 
July 7, 2025

‘THIS IS MENNO; THIS IS WHAT WE ARE’

American pride again on full display as thousands flock to Menno for the biggest small-town Independence Day celebration around

Mettler Implement showcased its fleet of equipment that reflects the agricultural impact Menno’s family-owned operation has had on the area since it was founded in 1963.

Drew Peterson, a District 19 Representative from Salem, carried his 2-year-old son Michael, in one arm and, with the other, passed out small American flags to the onlookers — far too many to count.

Czech Days royalty — Queen Tarynn Torsney, Prince Miles Mayer and Princess Anna Sedlachek — waved to the throngs of people as they passed by to help promote the next traditional celebration in Tabor scheduled for June 18-20, 2026.

The Kirschenman family cruised in their Ford Mustangs — Aiden and Glenn driving 1966 models, Rob in a 1988 and Larry following in a 1977 Ford LTD.

Menno Lumber Company noted it was “cherishing our freedom” and has been serving customers since 1906, and proceeded through the parade route on a red, white and blue-bejeweled flatbed anchored by Lady Liberty herself.

And two of the oldest baseball rivals you will find — Menno and Freeman — were both represented in their own unique way, with the Mad Frogs slinging water balloons in the direction of delighted recipients and the Blacksox rumbling down the street in their tricked out black school bus.

It was all part of the most impressive small-town Independence Day parade found anywhere, as 87 entries spanning a full hour passed by thousands lining Menno’s downtown business district and adjoining streets late Friday morning, July 4.

The impact and the context of the moment was not lost on Mindy Spangler, who was joined on Friday by Galen Guthmiller in announcing each entry as they passed by.

“It’s special,” she said. “I’ve been coming to this parade since I was a kid — I probably rode through the kiddie parade — and as I was driving around Menno and saw the flags and everybody getting ready, my thought was, ‘This is Menno. This is what Menno is, and this is what it’s all about.’ I’m just very proud to be part of this community.”

That certainly holds true for Guthmiller, one of Menno’s biggest boosters.

“It’s just great; this is what a small town and the Fourth of July is all about,” he said. “You get to see a lot of friendly faces, pick on a few people along the way, and we have a lot of great volunteers who make this happen. We are truly blessed.”

Menno Mayor Darrell Mehlhaf noted the strong participation from other communities. Menno was, of course, strongly represented in the 87 entries, but so was Freeman, Scotland, Avon, Tabor, Armour, Turkey Ridge, along with organizations like the Lewis and Clark Shriners Club, the South Dakota Trappers out of Winner and the Mead Museum of Yankton.

“It’s good to see all these other communities showing off what they have in their community and bringing it here to Menno,” said the mayor. “The camaraderie and the act of getting along from one community to another is good to see.”

And spirits were no doubt lifted by a sunny morning on the heels of some million-dollar moisture.

“Everything comes together, and especially when we have good weather and get some nice rain, everybody wants to see a good parade,” Mehlhaf said. “History proves that Menno can do that.”

Nobody rained on Menno’s parade, nor the FFA barbecue in the city/school auditorium afterward, nor the show and shine and family activities at Pioneer Acres, nore the two American Legion baseball games in the afternoon — both won by the Post 152 79ers over Tabor. (See 1B for more on the red-hot 79ers.

But wet weather did impact the nightcap — Menno’s amateur game against Freeman and the fireworks set to follow. Rain began falling early evening, with tarps on the pitcher’s mound and batter’s box by 7 p.m., and by the scheduled first pitch at 7:30 p.m., water was pooling on the outer edge of the infield.

Those discussing what to do included Menno manager Tom Sattler, player/manager Dylan Lehr, Freeman player/manager Jake Weier, as well as Guthmiller, the voice of American Legion and amateur baseball in Menno. In addition to studying radar, the men shared concerns about player safety and worry about more rain developing later, and as another round of heavier moisture was falling at 7:30 p.m., the decision  was made to postpone the game and the fireworks 24 hours — to Saturday night, July 5, instead.

Menno ended up losing 17-7 to a Freeman team that cranked out 21 hits.

The tough field conditions of Friday night also prompted the Mad Frogs to move their 10th annual bean bag tournament on Saturday from the Lily Pad to the north end of Fifth Street, where later in the day the Menno-Olivet All-School Reunion unfolded.

Menno’s long Fourth of July weekend also included the Menno-Olivet Ministerial Association’s traditional patriotic community worship service held in the City Park.

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