Posted by Clark Kolterman on Jul 05, 2019
The annual Seward Fourth of July Celebration extends congratulations and offers parade awards to the participants in the annual parade. The specially designed trophies were created for the Seward Celebration by local resident Tim Moravec. The parade theme was “Education-America’s Foundation-A Salute to Concordia University’s 125th Birthday Celebration!”
 
Click Below to see all of the winners!
The annual Seward Fourth of July Celebration extends congratulations and offers parade awards to the
participants in the annual parade. The specially designed trophies were created for the Seward Celebration by local resident Tim Moravec. The parade theme was “Education-America’s Foundation-A Salute to Concordia University’s 125 th Birthday Celebration!”
 
The parade awards are funded by grants and investments from the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and the VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary of Seward. The awards are the results of the parade judging at the review stand and the winners were announced at the bandshell at 6:00 on July 4 by the parade co-chair Tonia and Jamie Nantkes. Parade Grand Marshalls were Dr. Laurie and Dr. Brian Friedrich-educators and leaders at Concordia University in Seward and recipient of the Nebraskan’s Friend Award. Also honored was Richard Stillahn, recipient of the Seward County Community Service Award 2019 and the Rotary July 4 Royalty-Miss Independence: Kennedy Dominy, Miss Independence Runner-Up: Samantha Quist, Mr. Firecracker-Quinton Moore and Mr. Firecracker-Runner-up: Henry Wake.
 
The parade trophies are on display at the Seward Civic Center and can be claimed by the winners at the Seward Chamber of Commerce at 616 Bradford Avenue in Seward at the Civic Center. Call 402-643-4189 to pick up a trophy. There are 12 trophies that were presented by the committee.
 
The following parade awards were presented…..
 
Best of Show-Top Parade Award
Proyecto Cultural-Sangre Azteca
Mexican Forklore

Chairman’s Award-Judge’s Favorite
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School-“Firehawks”

Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme
Concordia University and Concordia University Alumni Association-Seward

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award-Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse
 
Florence Keller Memorial Award-Best Business Entry
H and S Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward

Cecil Drew Memorial Award-Best Horse Drawn Entry
The Senora Carriage Company
 
Dorothea Bek Memorial Award-Best Walking/Marching Unit
The Seward High School Marching Bluejay Band
 
Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry-Best Live Music
Wilber Claytonia High School Alumni Booster Czech Band

Willa Koenig Memorial Award-Best Youth Entry
Seward’s Rivoli Theater Centennial Float
 
Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award-Best Civic Entry
Seward Kiwanis Club

Jim Orr Memorial Award-Best Patriotic Entry
David City Knights of Columbus
 
Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-Public’s Choice Award-Obvious Crowd Favorite
Eagle, Nebraska’s Halloween Haunt

Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia and Jamie Nantkes
 
Parade Emcee was Clark Kolterman-Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and Gerry Meyer-Executive Director of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward Parade Judges were volunteers Melanie Nutt of Cozad and Candace Muir of Waynesfield, Ohio. All the banners were carried by the volunteer members of the SHS FFA, including the opening parade theme banner and fireworks sponsor banner.
 
Note: This year, during the parade, in the alumni section-the Class of 2009 float stopped and SHS Alum John Sammuelson of 2008 proposed to 2009 Alum Beth Luedke and she accepted!
 
Parade applications and entry forms can be found on the Seward Fourth of July website at www.julyfourthseward.com/awards.html.