Community gathers for Plains Day parade

The Plains Day parade this year was one of the biggest in recent years with a wide variety of units from a single person to large groups on floats.

Mary Halling, the parade coordinator for the fourth year, had 50 registered entries, but believes there were about 20 additional units that did not register, but participated, such as the dozen emergency medical services vehicles - including Smokey Bear - and the Horse Plains VFW Post 3596 color guard, which led the parade.

The parade lasted nearly 45 minutes, longer than normal, stopping halfway through town, where Joel Collett, owner of Studs Building and Home, sang the "Star-Spangled Banner." Patriotic colors of red, white and blue were seen throughout the parade on floats and flag wavers from people lining the streets. George Washington made an appearance from one of the dozen political entities.

Cindy Gray of Plains walked along the parade route handing out American flags as part of VFW Auxiliary Unit 3596 and people along the route got to see clowns Barnie Yard (Preston Wenz) and his wife, Kurly Seeet (Alicia Wenz) of Trout Creek, who are part of a professional clown business Barnyard Entertainment.

"I think this was only second to the 2021 parade," said Halling, who added there were a lot of colorful and unique entries. Camp Bighorn won the nonprofit organization category and $600 from Clearwater Properties. The Plains Alliance Church took second place and received $100 from Mary Helliwell of Keller Williams Realty Northwest Montana. Debbie Cleveland nabbed the best pet dress up category with her dog, "Joey" and his purple Mohawk hairdo, netting her a gift basket from Colleen's Country Store and Paws Here Pet Styling.

One of the more unique pet entries was Anaelle Avilla's crocheted chicken on her hat, along with an ensemble that included a crocheted chick breaking out of its shell and a baby chick crocheted purse. "That was totally adorable," said Halling. The 11-year-old Avilla was part of the South Side Sparks 4-H float, which had 20 kids, three dogs, a rabbit, and a kitten, along with Billyray Holotta on his horse Thor.

Plains resident Warren Wickum had his two horses pulling a wagon full of passengers. Warrior Fitness had a 10-foot tall metal horse, owned by Lisa Read, on its trailer. Halling said the parade had several return entries, such as the Plains Pickleball Association's "Under Construction" unit with members dressed in construction apparel and pushing wheelbarrows down the street. Quinn's Hot Springs Resort fashioned free swim passes into paper airplanes and flew them to the crowds.

The parade was once again the avenue for people to show off their shiny old cars, including Trout Creek resident Randy Olsen and his 1956 Chevrolet Belair.

"It was really great to see the school's drumline in the parade," said Halling. The drummers included last week's Plains High School graduates Brenden Vanderwall and Sam Feliksa, along with junior Izzy Bakker, and the music teacher, Loren Lauridson. "I wish more schools would do something for the parade," said Halling, "along with more local businesses."

The grand marshal for the parade this year was Dave Helterline, 93, of Plains. Helterline has been a resident of Plains most of his life and has been a member of the Plains Lions Club for over 40 years. Gene Johnson served as the parade announcer, naming the entries as they passed by.