Rodeo Parade One Of The Best In Years
Author: MT43 News Staff Reporter
Rodeo Parade One of the Best in Years
MT43 News Staff Reporter
The Boyd Iverson clan has been lining up a rodeo parade in Townsend since 1963. Kathy Iverson Toombs is now the coordinator. She took over registering floats and horse riders from her dad Boyd, in 2000. Sunday she was aided by her daughters, her granddaughter and her great-grandson. She enjoys the work, when it is finished, and feels the parade contributes to the excitement and involvement of the community in Fair and Rodeo weekend events.
This Sunday people lined up early to watch the parade: some were perfectly stationed upstairs at Canyon Ferry Brewery; others carried around drinks – a little hair of the dog that bit them the night before. Families took photos of their children lined up on Broadway waiting for candy and treats from the parade participants.
Exactly at noon, horseback riders carrying the US flag began the parade. Some older folks put their hands over their hearts as it went by. Most people did not. The tradition has changed.
Then came the floats for many of Broadwater County 4-H Clubs, Algeria Shriners in their mini-motor cars, a Science, Technology, Outdoors, Knowledge and Entrepreneurship(S TOKE) float featuring Broadwater Community Theater’s upcoming children’s play “Fairy Tales Go to Court”.
Unique in the parade was “Tools That Won the West” featuring plow shears, animal traps, saddles and scythes. Roy Hankins, who was riding that float, was nearly run over when he tumbled from the wagon. He recovered, unhurt, to ride the entire parade route and won third place for one of the entry categories.
Retired cowboy and rancher Barry White was chosen as Grand Marshall of the parade. He also represents a long-time Broadwater County family. Barry grinned broadly and waved to the crowd in a horse-drawn wagon loaded with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His daughter, Denise, accompanied him.
Horseback riders, a girl driving a vintage John Deere tractor, first responders and Army National Guard tanks filled in the gaps. Candidates Audrey Plymale and Kelsi Anderson who are vying for the office of Clerk of Court, greeted the crowd with candy and waves.
Suddenly the parade was over. Everyone who attended really enjoyed an hour of fun and received lots of candy. For parade results, see a separate article.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Left to right: Granddaughter Shelby Collins, friend Peggy Thompson and coordinator, Kathy Iverson Toombs. Kathy's daughter Heather entertained Shelby's son Tegan in Massa Park while people were registering.
Nancy Marks, MT43News Photographer
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Image 2 Caption: Girl on a vintage John Deere tractor.
Image 3 Caption: Roy Hankins rides the Tools That Won the West trailer in the parade.
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Image 4 Caption: Broadwater County Rural Fire Chief Ed Shindoll and his family show off a vintage fire truck.
