Edina children have a chance to lead the 4th of July
parade by entering the annual "Why I should be the
kid to start the parade" contest.
To enter, children in Grades 1-6 write essays, 50 words or less, explaining why they
are best for this important position. Younger children
may submit color drawings instead of word essays.
The winner will help start the parade and ride along
with the Parade Grand Marshal on one of the lead
floats! They will also receive a contest winner’s
badge, flag and hat.
This year, we had so many great entries submitted,
that two winners were selected. They are:
Henry Gustafson and Ally Slaughter. Both their
essays are below.
"I, Henry
Gustafson, think I should lead the 4th of July
parade because I want to wish Edina and Minnesota a
happy B-day this year. If my birthday was July
4th, I would like to celebrate it by leading the 4th
of July parade. I'm the RIGHT age 8 + that's a
good age to lead the 4th of July parade. I can
go for a long time without stopping for a break of
water on a hot day. ...I can wave for a long time
without giving my hand a rest. I have a HUGE
smile and I like to smile at people. I like to
ride in cars with no lid on the top of them because
it is cool and I don't get car sick at all. I
like crowds to wave at and yell HI at them. I
want to do this REALLY BAD because it sounds like a
GOOD job for me and it sounds like FUNN!!!
P.S. I know this is more than 50 words sorry but
still pick me please!!!"
-- Henry Gustafson
"I would
celebrate my birthday on a different day because a
holiday is more important than a birthday.
Because a 4th of July is a celebration of how we
earned our independence. I would celebrate the
4th of July by watching the 4th of July parade and
that's what I would do if my birthday was on the 4th
of July."
-- Ally Slaughter
Grand Marshals
This year, Grand Marshals are residents born on the
4th of July. We celebrate their birthdays and those
of our community and state. Edina became a village
120 years ago and Minnesota a state 150 years ago.
Riding on the Grand Marshal “Birthday Float” are:
Elsie Anderson
Lindsey Anderson
Ellie Dickie
Jean Dozart
Errol Lenzen
George Peer
Ann Thompson
Sean Uldrich
Virginia Vonhof
Unit Competition
Before the start of the parade, a volunteer
committee judges all of the units in the parade and
will award first-, second- and third-place ribbons.
The 2008 parade unit judges are Doug Johnson,
Director of Community Education Services; Joanna
Johnson; and Heather Worthington, Assistant City
Manager.
