Local businesses, social clubs, dance troupes, politicians, members of law enforcement, armed forces and a variety of school marching bands came together in a display of unity to celebrate this year’s event theme: “Marshalltown Strong.”

Because of construction and road closures downtown, this year’s parade route spanned Olive Street from Seventh Avenue to 17th Avenue, concluding at the entrance of the Central Iowa Fairgrounds, this year’s headquarters for the event.

Oktemberfest committee member Dex Walker said that stretch of street offered an ideal place to hold the parade, noting its route was comparable to that of prior years.

“I love parades, and I know the struggle they had putting this on this year, and I’m very impressed with the organization of it all,” attendee Kathryn Ham said.

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ With over 100 entries, the parade, which stretched Olive Street from Seventh Avenue to 17th Avenue, offered something for Kids (and adults) line Olive Street for the chance to nab some free candy, hats, frisbees, bracelets and other freebies. JBS even handed out frozen cuts of meat to parade attendees.

Ham said she was pleased to see the variety of marching bands represented in the parade, including several from outside Marshall County, including the Grinnell, Madrid, Lynnville-Sully and Nashua-Plainfield school bands.

“I liked that they were scattered throughout the parade,” she said. “I also liked seeing all the floats; a lot of parades are getting away from floats, but you could tell a lot of work and pride went into them.”

Sandy Witt with Tiger Taekwondo of Marshalltown said she liked this year’s parade route because it allowed her float’s participants to easily join the parade at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Olive Street.

“That way the kids didn’t miss any of the parade,” Witt said. “It’s been a tradition for us (to participate in this parade) so we like to keep it going.”

Juanita Valdez, who has lived in Marshalltown for six years, said she always attends Oktemberfest events each year.

“It’s really fun. You get to see a lot of what Marshalltown has to offer. Even though it’s a small town, it is exciting to see what it has become,” she said. “It brings Marshalltown together. Even though we have hard times, we all get together for this special occasion.”

Oktemberfest activities continue today from noon to 5 p.m. with the carnival and food vendors.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com