Florence, WI - July 26, 2009
The 115th Upper
Peninsula Firefighters Tournament ended Saturday Morning as it began
Thursday evening; with a parade. The Saturday parade down Central Avenue,
described as the Commercial Parade, includes public participation in
addition to the firefighters.
Yesterday's parade was like most parades we enjoy. It included floats,
firefighters and of course fire trucks. The Honor Guard was a
motorcycle group called the "Patriot Guard". Among the Fire Trucks in the
parade were two classic trucks; a 1930 Ford owned by the Breitung Township
Fire Depart and a 1917 Ford, the proud possession of the Florence Fire
Department, host for this year's tournament.
West Iron County had several entries in the parade, all in keeping with
the tournament theme "South of the Border. There were many local
float entries . One highlight of the parade was a convertible carrying Ray
and Lorraine Steber, celebrating 75 years of marriage. Also in the car and
waving to the crowds along the parade route was Irene Meress, 100 years
"young".
Also riding in an purple convertible Jeep, was 2009 Florence County
Fair Queen Kattie Rinkowski.
Congratulations to the host firefighters for the well organized
tournament and to the City of Florence for the terrific job its citizens
did in hosting the 5,000 people which came to the event. |
