Akron Travels Back To 1970s For Its And America’s Birthday
The main events of Akron’s annual 4th of July celebration occurred on Tuesday, July 4, including its parade. The theme for the celebration and parade this year was “Take Me Back to the ’70s” in recognition that parade grand marshals, Shirley Bickel and Ruby Bowers, opened their beauty salons in town in 1973. Shown from left are Bickel, Bowers’ and Bowers’ husband, Mike Bowers, with the float the women rode on. The entry won first place in the floats’ category.
Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
AKRON — Attendees at this year’s Akron 4th of July festival got to time travel to the 1970s.
“Take Me Back to the ’70s” was the theme for this year’s celebration of the town’s and America’s birthday, related to the fact that the two grand marshals for this year, Ruby Bowers and Shirley Bickel, both opened their beauty salons in town in 1973.
The two women rode at the beginning of the parade on a float decorated with flowers and a large bottle of Aqua Net. Bowers’ husband Mike Bowers, sporting a ’70s hairstyle, drove a VW bus pulling the float.
The entry would garner first place in the floats’ category. The second- and third-place winners in that category, Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill and the Bucher Family, respectively, incorporated the theme with peace signs and tie-dye.
The parade concluded with more than 40 vehicles that were part of a tribute ride for Dillon Prater. Prater, 29, of rural Akron, passed away last year.
He loved riding in utility terrain vehicles, so his family organized a delegation of them along with other modes of transportation people wished to enter. The family asked people who joined in the ride to give $25, which will be put into the Dillon Prater Memorial Fund being created through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to benefit kids in the Akron area.
The family also asked those in the ride to decorate their vehicles for their favorite teams as Prater loved sports. Nods to The Ohio State University, the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University were seen.
A full list of parade results may be seen below.
2023 Akron 4th of July Parade Winners
Floats
- First: Shirley Bickel and Ruby Bowers
- Second: Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill
- Third: Bucher Family
Antique/Classic Automobiles
- First: Graham Geiger, 1956 Ford Fairlane
- Second: Kerlin Motors, 1927 Model T Calliope
- Third: Neuhart Orchard & Strawberries, 1931 Model A Ford
Tractors
- First: Tom Weaver, 1974 Case 1370
- Second: Orville Reese
- Third: Parker & Sons
Marching Units
- First: Tippecanoe Valley High School Cheer
- Second: Kosciusko County Head Start/Early Head Start
- Third: Cuddle Buddies
Band
- First: TVHS Viking Guard
- Second: Marching Amigos
Horses
- First: Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team
Mike Bowers pulled the grand marshals’ float with this VW bus.
From left: Gracelyn Miller and Weston Miller and their cousins Kaitlyn Brewer and Kylie Brewer get ready to watch the parade.
A large group was gathered on the lawn of the Akron Carnegie Public Library on Rochester Street to see the parade.
Akron Town Marshal Jake Gearhart throws candy, including a piece in mid-air at the front of the photo.
Firetrucks from area fire departments were at the start of the parade.
The Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team rides in the parade. It won first in the horses’ category.
Members of the Fulton County Veterans Honor Guard ride in the parade.
Indiana Patriot Guard Riders Senior Ride Captain for Northeast Indiana Russ Bauer participates in the parade.
Miss Akron 4th of July 2023 Rachel Luce waves from her entry.
Miss Sparkler 2023 Sadie Thomas rides in the parade.
Mr. Firecracker 2023 A.J. Kimmel is shown in the parade.
Miss Mentone 2023 Jasmine Fuller waves.
Kerlin Motors’ 1927 Model T Calliope finished second in the antique/classic automobiles’ category.
Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill placed second in the floats’ category.
John Gagnon cruises in a vintage car.
Pike Lumber Co.’s entry hauled logs.
The Bucher Family got third in the floats’ category.
Lake City Bank paid homage to the theme by featuring people dressed as the Village People.
Hartzler Funeral Home brought its vintage hearse out for the parade.
DeLynn Geiger waves from his 1929 Ford Model A Roadster. His wife Lori Tilden-Geiger rides in the front seat and son Landon Geiger in the back.
Corvettes drive in the parade.
Members of the Tippecanoe Valley High School Viking Guard band, which topped the band category, walk in the parade.
One of the tractors in the parade.
A memorial ride for Dillon Prater of rural Akron was held during the parade, with this banner marking the start of it.
Prater’s family, who put on the ride, encouraged those in it to decorate vehicles with their favorite sports teams. His family’s entry referenced the Chicago Bears, his favorite team.
The Akron Field of Honor stands by the Akron Community Center at Pike Memorial Park. Started in honor of late Army Sgt. Nick Patterson, the field recognizes those who’ve served in the military or as first responders.
Players participate in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Pike Memorial Park.
Some of the entries in the Jim Bucher Memorial Car Show at the park.
Larry Porter of Wabash preps his 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the show.
Members of Tamborazo Villa play at the park.