2024 Parade Registration
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Thank You from the Fourth of July Parade Committee
Contact:
parade@cultivatesewardcounty.
2022 Parade Awards
Best of Show – Top Parade Award
“The Prairie Folly” Float by the Seward “Prairie Folly” Festival Committee
Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
“The Red Rooters” Pep Band/Bottle Rocket Brewery
Mayor’s Award – Best Entry Following the Theme
Classical Conversation Home School Program
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
The Iowa Artillery Soldiers Unit – Civil War Re-enactors – Nebraska National Guard Museum
Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
“PetSource by Scholar” – Seward Plant
Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Horse Drawn Entry
“Stava for County Commissioner” – Percheron Team and Wagon – Cross Creek Animal Health Center in Staplehurst – Craig and Dr. Cori Stava
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Seward High Marching Bluejay Band, Flag Corps and Cheer Squad
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Wilber Clatonia Czech Alumni Booster Band
Luke Mohatt Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
St. Vincent De Paul Church and Seward, Seward – “The USS Firehawk!”
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Seward Swim Club
Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
The Knights of Columbus – 4th Degree – St. Thomas Aquinas Assembly 3301 David City
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-Public’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
City of Seward Municipal Band
Parade awards funded with donation from GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Seward VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary
Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia Nantkas and Jamie Nantkes
Parade Emcee was Clark Kolterman of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and Gerry Meyer, Executive Director of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward
Melanie Nutt of Cozad served as Parade Judge Chairman
Dozens of volunteer banner carriers furnished by the Seward High FFA Chapter and Friends
2021 Parade Awards
Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Hughes Brothers, Inc Centennial Float
Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
H & S Plumbing, Heating and Air of Seward
Mayor’s Award – Best Entry Following the Theme
The SYA Tractor Club – all “Made in America”
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
The Fort Riley Kansas Mounted Patrol – Fort Riley Kansas
Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
Lee’s Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
The Seward County Sheriff’s Posse
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High Marching Bluejays Marching Band and Flags directed by Amanda Kenney
Luke Mohatt Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
Lincoln Berean Church’s Espirit DeCorp Youth Choir / The Jones Bank – Seward Grand Parade Flag
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Cross Makers – Seward
Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
St. Thomas Aquinas Walking Unit of David City
The Civil War Re-enactors – Marching Parade Unit/First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-Public’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Wilber Alumni Band, Wilber, NE
Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia Nantkas and Steve Hambeck, assisted by Jamie Nantkes and Carin Nantkes
Parade Emcee was Clark Kolterman of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and Gerry Meyer, Executive Director of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward
Melanie Nutt of Cozad served as Senior Parade Judge with Riley Nuttleman assisting the Judges
2019 Parade Awards
The annual Seward Fourth of July Celebration extends congratulations and offers parade awards to the participants in the annual parade. The specially designed trophies were created for the Seward Celebration by local resident Tim Moravec. The parade theme was “Education-America’s Foundation-A Salute to Concordia University’s 125th Birthday Celebration!”The parade awards are funded by grants and investments from the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and the VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary of Seward. The awards are the results of the parade judging at the review stand and the winners were announced at the bandshell at 6:00 on July 4 by the parade co-chair Tonia and Jamie Nantkes. Parade Grand Marshalls were Dr. Laurie and Dr. Brian Friedrich-educators and leaders at Concordia University in Seward and recipient of the Nebraskan’s Friend Award. Also honored was Richard Stillahn, recipient of the Seward County Community Service Award 2019 and the Rotary July 4 Royalty-Miss Independence: Kennedy Dominy, Miss Independence Runner-Up: Samantha Quist, Mr. Firecracker-Quinton Moore and Mr. Firecracker-Runner-up: Henry Wake.
Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Proyecto Cultural-Sangre Azteca
Mexican Forklore
Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School-“Firehawks”
Mayor’s Award – Best Entry Following the Theme
Concordia University and Concordia University Alumni Association-Seward
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse
Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
H and S Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward
Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Horse Drawn Entry
The Senora Carriage Company
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
The Seward High School Marching Bluejay Band
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Wilber Claytonia High School Alumni Booster Czech Band
Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
Seward’s Rivoli Theater Centennial Float
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Seward Kiwanis Club
Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
David City Knights of Columbus
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-Public’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Eagle, Nebraska’s Halloween Haunt
Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia and Jamie Nantkes
Parade Emcee was Clark Kolterman-Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and Gerry Meyer-Executive Director of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward
Parade Judges were volunteers Melanie Nutt of Cozad and Candace Muir of Waynesfield, Ohio
All the banners were carried by the volunteer members of the SHS FFA, including the opening parade theme banner and fireworks sponsor banner.
Note: This year, during the parade, in the alumni section-the Class of 2009 float stopped and SHS Alum John Sammuelson of 2008 proposed to 2009 Alum Beth Luedke and she accepted!
2018 Parade Awards
Parade awards funded with donation from GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Seward VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary.Parade Judge Chairman – Melanie Nutt of Cozad
Parade Co-Chair are Tonia and Jamie Nantkes
Downtown Parade Emcees were Gerry Meyer of the Nebraska National Guard Museum and Clark Kolterman
Dozens of volunteer banner carriers furnished by volunteers of the Seward High FFA Chapter
Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Seward Kiwanis Club
“Racing to Serve The Children of the World”
Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
H and S Plumbing – Seward
Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme
St. Vincent de Paul Church and School – The FireHawks – Seward
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse
Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
TLC Construction – “Trusted Local Construction” – Seward
Lee’s Refrigeration – Seward
Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Wagon Drawn Unit
Ted Janzow Memorial – Kevin Kronke’s Percherons – Sponsor-Trinity Lutheran Church –Walton, NE
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Jing Mo Tong Athletic Association
Chinese Lion Dance
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High Marching Bluejay Band, Flag Corps and Cheer Squad
Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
St. John Lutheran Church Ministries – St. John Lutheran School – Seward
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Calvary Baptist Church – Seward
Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
Knights of Columbus 4th Degree
St. Thomas Aquinas Assembly of David City
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award – People’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Steel City Rover’s Band of Ontario, Canada
Sponsored by Merle’s Garden Center/Olde Glory Theater-Seward
2017 Parade Awards
Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Concordia University and Concordia Alumni Association- Seward
“Deep Roots-High Hopes”
Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
Bottle Rocket Brewery
Seward, NE
Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme
Seward High Class of 1967
“Rocking Into the Future”
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Buffalo Bill-North Platte NEBRASKAland Days
Sponsored by NE National Guard Museum and NE National Guard Historical Society
Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
H and S Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward
Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Wagon Drawn Unit
The Seward United Methodist Church
Sesquicentennial Celebration 1867-2017
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Lincoln Beren Church Espirit de Corp
Youth Choir
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High School Marching Bluejays and Flag Corps
Seward High School
Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School-“Firehawks”
“Deep Roots-High Hopes!”
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
The City of Seward Municipal Band
Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
Revolutionary War Color Guard
Sponsored by NE National Guard Museum and NE National Guard Historical Society
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award – People’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Car
2016 Parade Awards
Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia and Jamie Nantkes. Parade Emcees were Clark Kolterman and Austin Taibemal. Best of Show – Top Parade Award
UH-1 “Huey” Helicopter-Sponsored by Whisler Aviation of Seward
Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School – “Firehawks”
Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme (Tie)
Concordia University and Concordia University Alumni Association – Seward
“Go Higher Into the Wild Blue Yonder with Concordia University of Seward”
and
Seward Cross Makers – Seward, Nebraska
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse
Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
Bottle Rocket Brewery of Seward
Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Wagon Drawn Unit
The Kesserling’s “It’s a Journey Horse Training”
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Madonna ProActive Chase Baton Twirlers – Featuring Twirler Steffany Lein – Lincoln
Madonna ProActive Chase Dance Program – Lincoln
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High School Marching Bluejays and Flag Corps
Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
Staplehurst “Our Redeemer Lutheran School” Little Red Wagon”
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
The Christmas Celebration/Parade Committee
Seward County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership
Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry (Tie)
Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assemblies St. Thomas Aquinas from David City
Msgr Mandeville from York, Seward and Aurora
and
Jones National Bank and Trust of Seward and Milford “Giant American Flag”
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award – People’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Kozy Kidyz Daycare of Seward
Judge’s Choice – Best of Show
“Yowie”-Named “Myron”-Australian Version of Big Foot
Sponsored by Yowie’s Lodge and Sports Bar of Lincoln Historic Haymarket
2015 Parade Awards
The annual Seward Fourth of July Celebration extends congratulations and offers parade awards to the participants in the annual parade. The specially designed trophies were created for the Seward Celebration by local resident Tim Moravec. The parade awards are funded by grants for the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and the VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary of Seward. The awards are the results of the parade judging at the review stand and the winners were announced at the bandshell at 6:00 on July 4 by the parade chair Tonia Nantkes. The trophies are on display at the Seward Civic Center and can be claimed by the winners at the Seward Chamber of Commerce at 616 Bradford Avenue in Seward at the Civic Center. There are 13 categories and there was one tie this year-so 14 trophies were presented. Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia and Jamie Nantkes, Emcee was Clark Kolterman and Parade Judges were Tim and Tarah Thurber of St. Louis, MO and Maya and Marco Galvan of Garden Grove, CA. Best of Show-Top Parade Award
Pac N Save Pharmacy of Seward
Chairman’s Award-Judge’s Favorite
Seward Memorial Health Care-“Blast Off for Healthy Kids”
Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme-Tie
St. John Lutheran Church Ministries-St. John School/St. John Child Development Center/Church
Crete Carriers
Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award-Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse
Florence Keller Memorial Award-Best Business Entry
Seward Fast Mart-Rich and Kate Gokie
Cecil Drew Memorial Award-Best Wagon Drawn Unit
Seward Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award-Best Walking/Marching Unit
Seward High Marching Blue Jays Band-The Pride of Seward High
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry-Best Live Music
Seward Municipal Band
Willa Koenig Memorial Award-Best Youth Entry
Kozy Kids Day Care-Seward
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award-Best Civic Entry
St. Thomas Aquinas of David City-Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assemblies
and Msgr. Mandeville of Seward/York/ Aurora
Jim Orr Memorial Award-Best Patriotic Entry
Seward Cross Makers’ Military Salute
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-People’s Choice Award-Obvious Crowd Favorite
Nebraska National Guard Museum and their hand carved “Fairbury National Guard Tank”
Judge’s Choice-Best of Show
The Homestead National Monument of America at Beatrice, NE
