Andersons lead Dayton parade
Couple says it was their turnBy KATIE WILLIAMS, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
DAYTON - Every parade has to have a parade marshal, and the Dayton parade on Monday was no different.
Leonard and Marilyn Anderson finally decided it was their turn to take up the lead of the parade.
''They have been asking me for a while to do it, but I always suggested someone else,'' said Leonard Anderson. He said he didn't think he was old enough for such responsibility.
But he recently fell down some stairs and his wife said it was probably time for him to do it.
''I was afraid he wouldn't get to if he waited much longer,'' Marilyn Anderson said.
They said they have always enjoyed the parade and being a part of the Dayton community.
They weren't the only ones enjoying the parade on the sunny day.
Natalie Christoffer, 3, of Duncombe, really enjoyed the candy, she said, as she worked hard to collect every sucker thrown her way.
Amariauna Mallinger, 3, of Fort Dodge, loved the gum she got from one of the more than 100 floats in attendance.
''And horses,'' she said pointing. ''But they stink.''
Dick Rowe, 82, of Dayton, said he has only missed two parades in the history of Dayton and that was only because he was in the service.
''I'm a horse nut,'' he said. ''I lived just east of town and always had eight to 10 horses at any one time.''
Then he moved to Colorado and had a ranch with 750 horses, but he always came back to Dayton for the parade.
''I get a kick out of it,'' Rowe said.
He eventually moved back to Dayton, which made it easier to attend the parades and rodeos.
''I'd ride in the rodeo a few times,'' he said.
The last time he attempted to ride was when he was 51 years old. He is now 82.
''I just wanted to see if I could do it,'' he said. ''Now I know for dang sure I can't.''
Contact Katie Williams at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net
