Community spirit and hometown pride filled the air, as the 2016 Rend Lake Water Festival parade serpentined across West Main, around the square, and out onto North Main.
Hundreds of people lined the streets Saturday morning to see the marching bands, fire trucks and floats pass by and see the colorful characters on-board toss candy to the throngs of children in attendance that filled their bags with goodies galore.
Many local churches, charities, businesses and organizations of all stripes were represented in the parade. The BCHS student chamber created a very well-received float commemorating Benton’s 175th anniversary. Local McDonald's franchise owners John and Mary Moreland had one of the most talked about floats in the parade, with a giant inflatable Ronald McDonald that waved to the people as local McDonald's workers passed out buttons for free ice cream.
Bethany and Victoria Reando marched in pink tutus in the parade for Relay for Life. Ryan Graff sat in the best seat of all, as he rode high atop a Liebherr backhoe for a bird’s eye view of the festivities.
Mayor Fred Kondritz, city council members, and a number of political hopefuls all had floats in the parade, but they had to take a backseat to Mister and Misses Rend Lake, as little tykes Kaleb Dawson and Liberty Thompson received accolades worthy of visiting royalty.
Kids also were also excited to see the service animals on display from members of the Willing Partners Canine Education organization, which marched along with the local Second Chance Animal Shelter float.
The reaction on social media was unanimous in declaring this parade to have been the most enjoyable one of its kind in years. Kondritz added, "Thank you Chamber of Commerce, and all the volunteers who pulled off a fantastic Rend Lake Water Festival parade. It was awesome, and I am very proud of every one! Yet another example of making Benton better. Thank you so, so much. You just can't beat Small Town America."
