Left to right: Judges for the Staples Railroad Days parade were Lisa Reichert of Germany, Vivien Cziva of Hungary and Stephanie Thiebault of France. (Submitted photo) Over 72 entries “paraded” down Fifth Street and up Fourth Street Saturday Aug. 28, participating in the 2010 Staples Railroad Days Parade.

Leading the parade were members of the Staples VFW and Motley VFW, Color Guard followed by the American flag from Veterans Park in Staples, hand carried by Staples Rotary Club members. The float for all veterans followed the American flag.

Grand Marshals of the parade were all members of the Staples Volunteer Fire Department and Staples Ambulance Service. Riding with them were honorary Grand Marshal Ed Uebinger, a truck driver and accident victim from Michigan, and his son, Justin.

The parade entrants were announced from a booth located at the Staples Community Center, by Missy Daniels and Chris Etzler. Judges for the parade were Lisa Reichert, Germany; Vivien Cziva, Hungary and Stephanie Thiebault, France.

Pat Goff organized a group of drummers who formerly played in the Staples High School band and marching band to perform in the Staples Railroad Days parade. Those participating included Terry Butenhoff, Scott Grossman, Steve O’Keefe, Duane Hagenson, Janelle Thompson, Goff, Chuck Gillespie, Jeff Marden, Kim Braith, Mike Hajek and Wayne Wilson. The banner stating “Staples High School Alumni Marching (riding) Band and Drumline, 1969-1979” was carried by Melanie O’Keefe and Peggy Bounds. The float won first place in music. (Staples World photo by Brenda Halvorson) Winners of the parade were:

Music category - First place, “Classes of 1969 - 1979 Drum Corp” (pictured above).

General Parade category - First place, “Haunted House” (pictured below); Second place, “Kinship of Todd-Wadena Counties”; Third place, “Miss Verndale Royalty” float.
The “Haunted House” float featured a real house, fall decorations and plenty of “haunting” entertainment in the Staples Railroad Days parade. A definate favorite for all, the “spooky” team won the first place parade prize (general). (Staples World photo by Kelley Kossan)