Happy Birthday Breda!

Exerpt from the Breda News, July 10, 2002

Where can we begin? Let's start with the horse show on Thursday morning, July 4th.

Dan Nieland and Dr. Dan McDermott put together a great show. The kids that were involved had a lot of fun, and we had a lot of fun watching the kids. Lots of spectators came to watch, as this was the first time such an event was held in Breda.

The adult riders had their time after the kids were finished. The team penning was really quite interesting to watch. I saw a few local riders such as Dr. Dan McDermott, Dan Nieland, Jason and Nathan Nieland, Michelle Nieland, Tom Schwarzkopf, Brett and Jennifer Schwarzkopf. They did well - except when Dr. Dan lost his hat!

Then on to the annual 4th of July celebration at Memorial Park. People were everywhere and cars were parked all over town. The kids games, gambling, beer garden, bingo and food stands were all busy and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Around 10 p.m. the Breda Happy Helpers 4-H group and the Junior Legion Auxiliary members did a patriotic dance routine prior to the annual fireworks display. The Breda Fire Department always does a great job with the fireworks and this year topped them all. What an awesome display!

Friday began much as Thursday - very hot!

There were Open Houses for the businesses and tours at several sites in town, including Toyne's Fire Truck Service, Snappy Popcorn, Christ the King School, Breda Depot, Bob Buman's Flower Garden and St. Bernard's Church.

At 7 p.m. The Breda Pageant was held in the gym of Christ the King School. Despite the heat, the gym was packed. Norma Kennebeck did a fantastic job writing the pageant and Sheri Dirkx and Gladys Nieland did a great job finding the clothing of the decades and the models to wear the clothing. Everyone enjoyed "Sonny and Cher", the Breda Bobcat cheerleaders, the "Oak Ridge Boys" and the "Soggy Bottom Boys". All in all it was a great night. Even the committee got through the theme song without too much trouble. At the end of the show, a bottle of Breda beer, the beer that was brewed this year for Breda Netherlands 750th celebration was uncorked, and a toast and cheer was given to both Breda, Netherlands and Breda, Iowa. The beer was a gift sent to the committee from Martijn Van Walwijk from Breda, Netherlands.

Saturday was here - the last day of the celebration and was it hot!!

Cars, tractors and floats all started arriving early in the morning and by 9:30 a.m. a traffic jam started in Breda. The intersection of E16 and Hwy 71 was very busy as cars from the north and south were trying to turn west.

We had anticipated about 125 entries in the parade and 140 showed up. Thanks to the people from Dedham, Templeton, Roselle, Maple River, Carroll, Carnarvan, Lake City, Lake View, Mt. Carmel, Wheatland, Arcadia, Wall Lake, Lidderdale and the surrounding areas that came with their floats and equipment to be in the parade.

The floats that were rated the best by those attending were those that sprayed water or threw water balloons. The kids also enjoyed all the candy that was thrown. And last but not least was the Breda Fire Truck with the hoses wide open. We hear that quite a few people were picked out of the crowd to get wet!

Thanks to Anton and Lillian Heisterkamp, our King and Queen and to all their attendants. Our Grand Marshals were Larry Toyne, riding for his father G.W. Toyne, Art Tiefenthaler and D.G. Partridge. We know it was hot, but all rode in the parade and had a great time.

The Tractor Pull and the Fireman's Brigade were both great. The crowd in the grandstand enjoyed the shade and the contest.

The 6 p.m. Mass at St. Bernard's was well attended.

A great crowd turned out for the street dance. We think that when the wind kicked up in the afternoon and the temperature dropped about 25 degrees, it helped. Salmagundi did a great job. The announcement of the winning teams of the Survivor Groups was also a highlight of the dance.

And then it was all over. Thanks to everyone who made the 125th Celebration a huge success!

 

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