By Pat Ludeman

Friends and neighbors gathered once again on the grounds of the South New Hope Church July 4 to visit and enjoy the refreshments served by volunteers from the Church’s Cemetery Association while waiting for the 2024 New Hope Firecracker Parade to arrive. Although the weather was overcast with a forecast of rain, the hope was that the parade would be completed before any rain fell.

A light rain did began to fall as Coenan and company started their performance, “2024 Olympics — New Hope.” A few drops did not deter the groups’ announcer David Wright in introducing each “unique” Olympian to the crowd.

However, once the rain started to come down in buckets, the parade was halted and everyone sought shelter. The blue-ribbon panel of judges ran into the church to caucus to decide the recipients of the coveted paper plate awards. The usual awards announcements did not happen due to the rain; however, the awards were delivered to the winners.

The judges added an honorable mention award for the Coenan group. An honorable mention was also awarded to the energetic Ludeman-Aanrud and friends’ group who arrived on a patriotically decorated wagon waving flags, drumming, and dancing while belting out their version of “This Land Is Your Land” and “Think It Over.”

The third-prize plate was awarded to the ever popular Tuba Band. The band played crowd favorite tunes and, in between tunes, Mark Kryshak told “Tuba” jokes (with some groans from the audience). The band’s performance brought smiles and much enjoyment to hear those oompa sounds in the parade.

The second-place award went to the “Dad Jokes” group that arrived with a trailer decorated with a “Happy Birthday America” theme complete with birthday candles and two eagles flying around the trailer. Twelve-year-old Piper Smith told dad jokes for the spectators.

Sign bearers led the way for the Central Wisconsin Ukulele Troupe as they marched up to perform. The strumming and singing group entertained the audience with a medley of ukulele tunes led by organizer Chris Kokesh. The Troupe was awarded the first-place plate for their performance.

A huge thank you to all the creative parade participants, the judges, and the paper plate artists who made the parade possible this year. Mark your calendars for July 4, 2025, and start planning your potential award-winning entry now!

First-place winners in this year’s Firecracker Parade were the Amherst Ukelele Group. Front row (left to right): Sam Booth, Hollis Dorsey, and Milo Dorsey. Back row (left to right): Jan Rhonchetto, Paula O’Kray, Michael Hafemann, and Camin Potts. Group leader Chris Kokesh is behind the flag.