Sharon Center 4th of July Parade 7/2014

STUTSMAN, YODER

Posted By: Mistina Christner (email)
Date: 7/24/2018 at 10:16:48

Source: Kalona News 7/10/2014

Sharon Center's Annual July 4th Parade and Potluck

Roger Stutsman was worried that this year the Sharon Center annual July 4th parade and potluck would "run out of steam". He didn't have to. The three-block area of the unincorporated community was crowded with visitors and almost 50 entries were in the parade.
What began as a joke among four area farmers on their antique tractors has continued to attract neighbors, friends, relatives and former residents for the past 11 years. Stutsman, who came up with the idea, said they thought it would be a humorous ride through Sharon Center with only their wives waving as they passed through.
But the idea caught fire. Reg Yoder volunteered to roast a pig and there were enough participants at the first parade to finish the hog.
Stutsman attributes the event's success to the community spirit that still adheres to Sharon Center, which approximately 70 years ago had its own high school.
"It's an extremely wonderful community where everyone cares about everyone else," Stutsman said.