A moving performance

NORWALK — The weather cooperated with planners for Friday's July 4 parade down Main Street in Norwalk. Under beautiful blue skies and weather that was a bit hot and humid, but not stifling, the city showed up and showed out for the Norwalk Lions Club's 54th annual function. It appeared there were more than 1,500 people in attendance. From floats with local pageant princesses, old-timey tractors, garbage trucks and even a giant chicken, participants in the contest showed their creativity and spectators were treated to quite the competition. This year's contest saw 122 parade participants taking part in 12 different categories with winners from each category being awarded $50 and the runners-up receiving $25. The Norwalk VFW acted as judges and the Norwalk Public Library acted as the parade's grand marshal. The winners of this year's contest: • Marching Unit category: The United States Marine Corps Color Guard placed first and The United States Army National Guard 945th Engineer Battalion placed second. • Best Youth Float category: Lefty Grove Baseball placed first and the Norwalk Kids Fishing Derby placed second. • Best Business category: Piney Paradise placed first and the Huron County Humane Society placed second. • Best Church category: Bible-Walk placed first and Trinity Christian Academy placed second. • Most Unusual Entry category: Hietsche Top of the Line Dumpsters placed first and Rural King placed second. • Antique Automobile category: Jerry Gormley placed first showcasing his Oldsmobile and Jeff Sommers placed second showcasing his Cadillac. • Commercial Float category: Gaymont Care and Rehabilitation placed first and the Roth family placed second. • Drill Team Unit category: Baton Academy Twirlers of Norwalk placed first and Monument Dance Center placed second. • Fire Company category: Berlin Township Fire Department placed first and the Huron River Joint Fire District placed second. • Best Truck category: R+L Carriers Semi-Eyes of Freedom placed first and JDB Home Improvements placed second. • Civic Float category: Huron County Master Gardeners placed first and the Norwalk Public Library placed second. • Clown category: Laney the Clown placed first and Neil Hansberger placed second.