2024 Parade Awards

Note: The Parade Awards feature the new Seward Branding Logo and are all located at the Nebraska National Guard Museum this year, as the Civic Center is closed. They can be picked up Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The 2024 Seward Fourth of July Grand Parade is in the history books and the winners of the parade have been announced. The Seward July Fourth Celebration slogan was “Always Ready-Always There,” honoring the First Responders-Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and the National Guard.

Parade Chairman for 2024 is Donna Hendrickson of Seward at the SCCDP Offices. She was assisted by Collin Hain, Jonathan Jank, Tarah Thurber, Tim Thurber, Miley Thurber, Natalie and Jacob Taylor and Jordan Walton.

Judges for the parade were Melanie Nutt of Cozad and Teresea Wilson of Lincoln-with Riley Nuttleman serving as the Judge’s Coordinator. The parade Emcee’s were Gerald “Jerry” Meyer and Clark Kolterman of Seward.

Members of the Seward High Future Business Leaders of America served as the Parade Banner Carriers, chaired by Jena Eberspacher.

Steve Hambek of Seward coordinated the parade review facilities and Joe Ruzitka of Seward Electronics coordinated the new public address system.

Best of Show - Top Parade Award
H&S Plumbing of Seward for their creative and colorful float. The float was designed and created by Brian and Allyson Krohe of H&S Plumbing, their staff, friends and family.

The Cecil Drew Memorial Trophy - Best Horse Drawn Unit
Stava’s Cross Creek Percheron Team by Dr. Cori Stava.

The Mel Bolte Memorial Trophy - Best Live Music Entry
City of Seward Municipal Band.

The Dessalee Rouselle Memorial Trophy - The People’s Choice Award
Anderson Constrution of Seward and their “World’s Largest Firework!”

The Luke Mohatt Memorial Trophy - Best Youth Entry
The Middle Creek Mavericks 4-H Club of Seward County

The Jim Orr Memorial Award – Most Patriotic Entry
“Cutting It Close” Lawn Care with their giant “Statue of Liberty.”

The Florence Keller Memorial Award - Best Business Award
Alp’s Bark Park of Seward

The Mary/Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award - Best Civic Entry
Beatrice Homestead Monument

The Merv Zillig Memorial Award - Best Horse Unit in Parade
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse

The Mayor’s Award - Best Unit following the Theme “Always Ready, Always There”
The Nebraska National Guard’s “Weasel” that save many during the Blizzards of ’48 and ’49

The Dorothea Bek Memorial Award - Best Marching or Walking Unit
The Seward High Marching Band and Flags

The Chairman’s Award - The Judge’s Favorite
The Wilber Czech Alumni Band of Wilber

2023 Parade Awards

The parade theme 2023 was “We Are Family!” It honors area families and suggest a call for family unity-worldwide. It also featured a Salute to the Cattle Family and the Cattle Bank and Trust, for their 150 th Anniversary of the Bank.

Best of Show - Top Parade Award
The Cattle Bank and Trust – Seward, for their “150th Birthday Cake” Float

Chairman’s Award -Judge’s Favorite
Nebraska National Guard’s Historical Society’s Higgin’s Boat Display

Mayor’s Award - Best Entry Following the Theme
St. Vincent de Paul School FireHawk’s Fish Float

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award - Best Horse Unit
Katelynn Butzke Horse Unit

Florence Keller Memorial Award - Best Business Entry
H and S Plumbing, Heating and Air” for their HVAC “Snow” Float

Cecil Drew Memorial Award - Best Family Fun Theme
Anderson Construction – Seward and their “Gazebo Float”

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award - Best Walking/Marching Unit
The Folkloric Dancers of Lincoln: Dance Sangre Azteca - Lincoln

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry - Best Live Music
The Wilber/Claytonia High School Alumni Czech Band

Luke Mohatt Memorial Award - Best Youth Entry
The Seward High Marching Bluejay’s and Cheerleaders

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award - Best Civic Entry
Saint Thomas Aquinas KOFC 4 th Degree – Asm. 3301,” Knights of Columbus

Jim Orr Memorial Award - Best Patriotic Entry
Allo Fiber’s 20th Birthday Cake Float

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award - People’s Choice Award - Obvious Crowd Favorite
The Alps Bark Park in Seward

Parade awards funded with donation from GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Seward VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary. The Parade Judge Chairman-Melanie Nutt of Cozad. The Parade Chair was Donna Hendrickson, with the SCCDP. The Downtown Parade Emcees were Gerry Meyer of the Nebraska National Guard Museum and Clark Kolterman - Seward July 4 Committee - Volunteer banner carriers furnished by members of the Seward Geis Family and the Stephen’s Family of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Note to Winners: Parade Trophies are on display at the Seward Civic Center and can be picked up at the Seward Civic Center M-F from 9:00 to 4:00! Contact Seward County Chamber Development Partnershipat 402-643-4189.

2022 Parade Awards

Best of Show – Top Parade Award
“The Prairie Folly” Float by the Seward “Prairie Folly” Festival Committee

Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
“The Red Rooters” Pep Band/Bottle Rocket Brewery

Mayor’s Award – Best Entry Following the Theme
Classical Conversation Home School Program

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
The Iowa Artillery Soldiers Unit – Civil War Re-enactors – Nebraska National Guard Museum

Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
“PetSource by Scholar” – Seward Plant

Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Horse Drawn Entry
“Stava for County Commissioner” – Percheron Team and Wagon – Cross Creek Animal Health Center in Staplehurst – Craig and Dr. Cori Stava

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Seward High Marching Bluejay Band, Flag Corps and Cheer Squad

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Wilber Clatonia Czech Alumni Booster Band

Luke Mohatt Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
St. Vincent De Paul Church and Seward, Seward – “The USS Firehawk!”

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Seward Swim Club

Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
The Knights of Columbus – 4th Degree – St. Thomas Aquinas Assembly 3301 David City

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-Public’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
City of Seward Municipal Band

Parade awards funded with donation from GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Seward VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary

Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia Nantkas and Jamie Nantkes

Parade Emcee was Clark Kolterman of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and Gerry Meyer, Executive Director of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward

Melanie Nutt of Cozad served as Parade Judge Chairman

Dozens of volunteer banner carriers furnished by the Seward High FFA Chapter and Friends

2021 Parade Awards

Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Hughes Brothers, Inc Centennial Float

Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
H & S Plumbing, Heating and Air of Seward

Mayor’s Award – Best Entry Following the Theme
The SYA Tractor Club – all “Made in America”

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
The Fort Riley Kansas Mounted Patrol – Fort Riley Kansas

Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
Lee’s Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
The Seward County Sheriff’s Posse

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High Marching Bluejays Marching Band and Flags directed by Amanda Kenney

Luke Mohatt Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
Lincoln Berean Church’s Espirit DeCorp Youth Choir / The Jones Bank – Seward Grand Parade Flag

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Cross Makers – Seward

Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
St. Thomas Aquinas Walking Unit of David City
The Civil War Re-enactors – Marching Parade Unit/First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-Public’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Wilber Alumni Band, Wilber, NE

Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia Nantkas and Steve Hambeck, assisted by Jamie Nantkes and Carin Nantkes

Parade Emcee was Clark Kolterman of the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and Gerry Meyer, Executive Director of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward

Melanie Nutt of Cozad served as Senior Parade Judge with Riley Nuttleman assisting the Judges

2019 Parade Awards

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!”

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.

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!

2018 Parade Awards

Parade awards funded with donation from GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Seward VFW Post #4755 Auxiliary.

Parade Judge Chairman – Melanie Nutt of Cozad

Parade Co-Chair are Tonia and Jamie Nantkes

Downtown Parade Emcees were Gerry Meyer of the Nebraska National Guard Museum and Clark Kolterman

Dozens of volunteer banner carriers furnished by volunteers of the Seward High FFA Chapter

Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Seward Kiwanis Club
“Racing to Serve The Children of the World”

Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
H and S Plumbing – Seward

Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme
St. Vincent de Paul Church and School – The FireHawks – Seward

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse

Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
TLC Construction – “Trusted Local Construction” – Seward
Lee’s Refrigeration – Seward

Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Wagon Drawn Unit
Ted Janzow Memorial – Kevin Kronke’s Percherons – Sponsor-Trinity Lutheran Church –Walton, NE

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Jing Mo Tong Athletic Association
Chinese Lion Dance

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High Marching Bluejay Band, Flag Corps and Cheer Squad

Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
St. John Lutheran Church Ministries – St. John Lutheran School – Seward

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
Calvary Baptist Church – Seward

Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
Knights of Columbus 4th Degree
St. Thomas Aquinas Assembly of David City

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award – People’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Steel City Rover’s Band of Ontario, Canada
Sponsored by Merle’s Garden Center/Olde Glory Theater-Seward

2017 Parade Awards

Best of Show – Top Parade Award
Concordia University and Concordia Alumni Association- Seward
“Deep Roots-High Hopes”

Chairman’s Award – Judge’s Favorite
Bottle Rocket Brewery
Seward, NE

Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme
Seward High Class of 1967
“Rocking Into the Future”

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Buffalo Bill-North Platte NEBRASKAland Days
Sponsored by NE National Guard Museum and NE National Guard Historical Society

Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
H and S Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning of Seward

Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Wagon Drawn Unit
The Seward United Methodist Church
Sesquicentennial Celebration 1867-2017

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Lincoln Beren Church Espirit de Corp
Youth Choir

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High School Marching Bluejays and Flag Corps
Seward High School

Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School-“Firehawks”
“Deep Roots-High Hopes!”

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
The City of Seward Municipal Band

Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry
Revolutionary War Color Guard
Sponsored by NE National Guard Museum and NE National Guard Historical Society

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award – People’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Car

2016 Parade Awards

Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia and Jamie Nantkes. Parade Emcees were Clark Kolterman and Austin Taibemal.

Best of Show – Top Parade Award
UH-1 “Huey” Helicopter-Sponsored by Whisler Aviation of Seward

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

Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme (Tie)
Concordia University and Concordia University Alumni Association – Seward
“Go Higher Into the Wild Blue Yonder with Concordia University of Seward”
and
Seward Cross Makers – Seward, Nebraska

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award – Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse

Florence Keller Memorial Award – Best Business Entry
Bottle Rocket Brewery of Seward

Cecil Drew Memorial Award – Best Wagon Drawn Unit
The Kesserling’s “It’s a Journey Horse Training”

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award – Best Walking/Marching Unit
Madonna ProActive Chase Baton Twirlers – Featuring Twirler Steffany Lein – Lincoln
Madonna ProActive Chase Dance Program – Lincoln

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry – Best Live Music
Seward High School Marching Bluejays and Flag Corps

Willa Koenig Memorial Award – Best Youth Entry
Staplehurst “Our Redeemer Lutheran School” Little Red Wagon”

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award – Best Civic Entry
The Christmas Celebration/Parade Committee
Seward County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership

Jim Orr Memorial Award – Best Patriotic Entry (Tie)
Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assemblies St. Thomas Aquinas from David City
Msgr Mandeville from York, Seward and Aurora
and
Jones National Bank and Trust of Seward and Milford “Giant American Flag”

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award – People’s Choice Award – Obvious Crowd Favorite
Kozy Kidyz Daycare of Seward

Judge’s Choice – Best of Show
“Yowie”-Named “Myron”-Australian Version of Big Foot
Sponsored by Yowie’s Lodge and Sports Bar of Lincoln Historic Haymarket

2015 Parade Awards

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 awards are funded by grants for 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 chair Tonia Nantkes. The 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.  There are 13 categories and there was one tie this year-so 14 trophies were presented. Parade Co-Chairs were Tonia and Jamie Nantkes, Emcee was Clark Kolterman and Parade Judges were Tim and Tarah Thurber of St. Louis, MO and Maya and Marco Galvan of Garden Grove, CA.

Best of Show-Top Parade Award
Pac N Save Pharmacy of Seward

Chairman’s Award-Judge’s Favorite
Seward Memorial Health Care-“Blast Off for Healthy Kids”

Mayor’s Award-Best Entry Following the Theme-Tie
St. John Lutheran Church Ministries-St. John School/St. John Child Development Center/Church
Crete Carriers

Merv and Mryna Zillig Memorial Award-Best Horse Unit
Seward County Sheriff’s Posse

Florence Keller Memorial Award-Best Business Entry
Seward Fast Mart-Rich and Kate Gokie

Cecil Drew Memorial Award-Best Wagon Drawn Unit
Seward Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee

Dorothea Bek Memorial Award-Best Walking/Marching Unit
Seward High Marching Blue Jays Band-The Pride of Seward High

Mel Bolte Best Musical Entry-Best Live Music
Seward Municipal Band

Willa Koenig Memorial Award-Best Youth Entry
Kozy Kids Day Care-Seward

Mary and Margaret Sweasey Memorial Award-Best Civic Entry
St. Thomas Aquinas of David City-Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assemblies
and Msgr. Mandeville of Seward/York/ Aurora

Jim Orr Memorial Award-Best Patriotic Entry
Seward Cross Makers’ Military Salute

Dessalee Rousselle Memorial Award-People’s Choice Award-Obvious Crowd Favorite
Nebraska National Guard Museum and their hand carved “Fairbury National Guard Tank”

Judge’s Choice-Best of Show
The Homestead National Monument of America at Beatrice, NE