Thousands turned out for the 95th annual De Soto Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Parade and the De Soto Lions Club’s fireworks display, organizers said.
Sarah Greenlee, the chamber’s office coordinator, said the parade went well and included at least 100 entries, which is about average for the parade.
“It was a hot one,” she said. “There were several different entries squirting water guns.”
Greenlee said huge crowds lined Main Street, with three to four people deep, to watch the parade.
Emily Dulle, who attended the parade, said she and her family members had a great time.
“I believe the Fourth of July parade is one of the best parades,” she said. “We had floats throwing water balloons at us, as well as people sitting watching with water guns waiting to shoot back at them. The parade had motorcycles, old cars, horses, monster trucks and so much more. Such a good time. And there was an ice cream truck on one of the streets for the kids to go, too.”
Several businesses, including vendors from the De Soto Farmers Market, opened just for the parade. The Farmers Market sold hot dogs, popcorn, lemonade, ice pops and bottled water that morning. Amvets Post 418 also sold food and had activities throughout the day.
The parade grand marshal was Tyson Collin Milner, a 1997 De Soto High School graduate who has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 20 years.
In 2022, Milner published a novel titled “Homecoming Heist” based on a fictional town like De Soto called Steamboat. Ironically, the novel, available on Amazon, is about a ragtag group which bands together to rob three banks during the local homecoming parade.
The De Soto Community Church of God won a $100 prize for best decorated entry in the July 4 parade. The float had a luau theme with children dressed for Lava Lava Luau Weekend Vacation Bible School to be held Aug. 19. The money will benefit the Bible school.
Mike Koch, with his John Deere tractor, was voted the most patriotic parade entry.
Despite threats of rain and sounds of thunder in the distance that night, Lions Club member John Allen said the weather held out and the group’s fireworks display, held behind De Soto High School, went well, too, drawing a big crowd.
“It was a really good show,” he said. “People enjoyed it.”
Allen and fellow organizer Larry Bridges have volunteered to help put on the fireworks display for about 50 years, the last seven or so through the Lions Club.
He said this year was their last, though.
Allen said the club won’t be putting on the fireworks display next year, and he hopes the city and Chamber of Commerce take it over.
“The chamber is hoping to set up a meeting amongst other non-profit organizations/churches and the city to discuss the future plans,” Greenlee said.
Over the years, the city, the fire department and a group called the Sparklers have taken turns leading the fireworks display, Allen said.
Allen had been in charge of collecting donations from local residents and businesses to fund the fireworks display, as well as the cost of insurance, dumpsters, portable toilets and cleanup.
He said this year, the event was not supported like it had been in the past and the cost of fireworks has gone up quite a bit.
Allen thanked the community for supporting the fireworks display over the years and the volunteers who have made it possible.