MITCHELL – The 76th Persimmon Festival’s Grand Parade passed through Mitchell today, beginning at 2 p.m. and concluding at 3 p.m.
The sidewalks were full to bursting with festival-goers as the dazzling floats made their way down Main Street.
Grand Marshall Hank Wintczack and Grand Marshall Becky Mason had their own cars in the parade.
“I’ve been here two times!” Lily told WBIW about her experience with the festival. She was entertained, but was worried that her Snickers bar would melt in the sunlight.
Many of the kids seemed more interested in the candy than the parade itself, but who could blame them? Sweets are top-priority to most kids.
The Mini-Miss, Little-Miss, and Junior Miss Persimmon Queens and Princesses rode on a beautifully adorned fancy pink, purple, and white float with flowers and butterflies.
The Indiana State Fair provided a decked-out bus that left bubbles anywhere it went. It was very easily one of the parade highlights. Who doesn’t like bubbles, especially so many of them?
Shriners of several varieties whizzed about on their little vehicles to the delight of the crowd.
Yvette Holguin and her family live in Mitchell. They come every year to the festival, and Hudson was in the baby contest in 2022 and this year.
“The food and the people,” Yvette said, is what she likes most about the festival. “You get to see everybody.”
The parade was a wonderful community feat with beautiful floats, sponsors, school involvement, and patriotism.
76 years and still going strong, the Persimmon Festival isn’t going anywhere, and we are glad of it.
