The "Best of the Fourth of July Parade" were recently announced by the parade organizers, The Bella Vista Patriots. The parade was held on the Fourth of July at the Sugar Creek Center.
The results are:
• Best of the parade, everyone who attended
• Best of the best attendees, Michael and Rita Callahan
• Best speaker, U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas
• Best soloist, Village Baptist Church, Phyllis Farish
• Past Grand Marshals, Forrest Strickler and Mo Kunkel
• Best city official, Bella Vista Mayor, Peter Christie
• Best sponsors (3-way tie), Arvest Bank, Carolyn Mitchell; Allen's Discount Foods, Steve Morrow; Bella Vista Recycle Center, Louis Stirek
•Best bands (tie) , United Lutheran Church Band, Lois Carlson, director; Ozark Highlander Bagpipe Band, directors Dennis Sisson and Jo Ann Tyler
• Best spiritual message, Bella Vista Patriots Chaplain, Dr. Harrison Pike
• Best special effects (3-way tie), White Wing Loft Doves, Julie Robins; Rifle Salute, Bella Vista Honor Guard, Charlie Brietzke; and Civil War Cannon Salute, NWA Historical Society, Paul Dolle
• Best dancers, Sophisticated Ladies, Carol Roller, director
• Parade grand marshal, Russ Bonacker
• Best city emergency vehicles (tie), Police Cruiser, Police Chief, Ken Farmer; and Fire Engine and Ambulance, Fire Chief, Steve Sims
• Best float, USS Snook Base Submarine Veterans, Cmdr. Pete Rathmell
• Best marching unit, Knights of Columbus, Chuck Fiebig
• Best military marching unit (tie), Color Guard, Cmdr. Andy Anderson; Five Branches of the Military, Major John Chelstrom
• Best veteran support group, Sheep Dogs, Sgt. Maj. Lance Nutt
• Best motorcycle group, American Legion Riders, Cdr. Pat O'Brien
• Best Arkansas legislators, State Rep. Kim Hendren and State Sen. Jim Hendren
• Best military vehicles, Arkansas Army National Guard, Sgt. First Class David Bredekamp
• Best antique cars (4-way tie), Army Jeep, Paul Dolle; Saturn Sky, Robert Harmon; Hollywood Modified, Robert Ennis; and Corvette, Steve Conrad
• Best Beauty Queen (tie), Fourth of July Patriot Parade Queen, Claire Redlaczyk; and Arkansas "TOPS" Queen, Ann Coghan
• Best cheerleaders, Bentonville High School Cheerleaders, Tracey Kaufman
• Best clubs (4-way tie), Cooper Elementary 4-H Club, Cassie Smith, Sponsor; DAR, Lovely Purchase Chapter, Dr. Gretchen Magee, President; SAR, Bella Vista Chapter, Les Magee, President; and Disabled Veterans, Rev. Richard McCall, President
• Best decorated golf cart, Arvest Bank, Carolyn Mitchell
• Best state flag, Oklahoma flag, Sharie Augburn
• Best church group, Village Bible Evangelical, Free Church, Pastor Mark Voll
• Best Scout troop, Bella Vista Girl Scouts, Emily Konomi, master
• Best dog walker, Casey Thacker
General News on 07/22/2015