BIG DAY IN NEW ALBIN

New Albin's Bicentennial observance drew a huge crowd on Saturday, and anyone who attended knew that it was a most successful and well planned event.

People began to line the streets at about 9:30 that morning to watch the parade, which was, we would like to add, a fine one indeed. More than 100 entries were viewed by hundreds of people.

Leon Hosch acted as the master of ceremonies, and leading the parade was Grand Marshal, John Mendenhall and his wife, Margareta.

There were old cars driven by members of the Allamakee Co. Antique Auto Club, old farm tractors, old horse carriages and vehicles of 1976 vintage as well.

There were floats from many New Albin firms and several from nearby towns like Lansing, Caledonia, Minn., and Harpers Ferry.
Music was provided by the Skel-Tones, a New Albin band, and the Kee High School band.
There were horses.

There were ponies. And there were mules. Kids, clowns, senior citizens, businessmen and officials of Allamakee county also got in the spirit of the parade.

Bulman Farm Store was winner in the parade's commercial category, taking first place with a realistic portrayal of a hunting scene keyed to the U.S. Constitution's amendment guaranteeing the right to bear arms. Bob Weymiller, DeKalb seed corn dealer, won honorable mention in the commercial class.

In the non-commercial class, Grace United Methodist Church won first place with a float depicting Sunday School. The Houston, Minn. Community Theatre, the New Albin Senior Citizens, Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank and Shooky Fink, all earned honorable mention for their contributions to the parade.

Celebrating went on until the wee hours of the next morning.

Honor Guard	Cleon Sires, New Albin Postmaster, demonstrated his version Post Office efficiency with this "souped up" model he dubbed "Old Zip 52160".  New Albin's Zip Code is 52160
The Skel-Tones	The Harper's Ferry Float
They called him "Town Clown" as he buzzed the parade frequently Saturday.  Ray Whalen, Cashier at the New Albin Savings Bank, gave parade watchers one more reason to smile.	Parade Marshal John Mendenhall and wife, Margareta
New Albin Fire Department	New Albin's Bicentennial flag is displayed by Mayor Raymond "Tat" Sires, Glenn Meyer, chairman of the New Albin Bicentennial Commission, and John Conrad, Bicentennial Representative.
The Little Pioneers

Mayor Raymond "Tat" Sires is shown buying the first button from Glenn Meyer, chairman of the New Albin Bicentennial Commission.  The buttons, hats and pennants are being sold through individuals and stores to help defray the expense of the day's events.

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- source of photos and text: Allamakee Journal, Lansing, Iowa, June 9, 1976
- contributed by Errin Wilker

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