‘Salute to America’ is theme of 56th annual Loyalty Day Parade
Megan Jensen/For the BV Journal
A youngster awaits the line up of parade entries to make its way down Holly Boulevard in 2021. Sunday’s parade steps off at 1 p.m.
Submitted photo
Twenty children’s bicycles will be given away at the Brandon VFW following Sunday’s 56th annual Loyalty Day Parade. The bike give away was made possible through generous donations from local businesses.
Brandon’s biggest party of the year – the Loyalty Day Parade – steps off at 1 p.m. on Sunday. This is the 56th year for the long-time tradition that is organized by Three Rivers VFW Post 4726, the Auxiliary and participating community organizations and members.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Salute to America,” and following tradition, parade lineup will begin at 11 a.m. in the Brandon Valley High School parking lot. Parade units are asked to enter the lot from Splitrock Boulevard. Although there is no formal registration process or fee to participate, forms will be available to parade entrants to complete at the staging area. Information provided on these forms will be announced by parade emcees, who will be located on the stage in front of the VFW.
Also following tradition, from the high school, the parade will make its way west down Holly Boulevard to Main Avenue, where it will turn south and end at the intersection of Main and Dogwood.
Five “grand marshals” have been selected to lead the Loyalty Day Parade this year. They include Police Officer of the Year, Tyler Carda; Teacher of the Year, Brandon Elementary vocal music teacher, Rachael Fode; Voice of Democracy winner, Simone Kane; Patriot Pen winner, Kendall Clayton; and Patriot Art winner, Tara Rolph.
Marcus Reimers and Ella Neth were selected as this year’s Poppy Prince and Princess, respectively, and longtime business and community supporter, Blaine’s Service, was named the VFW’s “Business of the Year.”
Youngsters of all ages will be excited to load up on candy once again, as parade candy is allowed.
Brandon’s Loyalty Day Parade is known to be one of the largest Loyalty Day Parades in the nation, in addition to being one of the largest parades of its kind in South Dakota.
Prior to the start of the parade, Poet Ethanol Vanguard Squadron will fly over Brandon. Their presence in the sky is compliments of Beautique, a Brandon-based business.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the VFW Auxiliary will be selling food outside the VFW and at the BVHS parking lot.
Following the parade, the VFW will draw for 20 children’s bicycles that have been donated to the event by participating businesses. Each child will be provided with one raffle ticket, which will be available at the Post on the morning of the parade.
