Akron travels back to 1970s for its and America’s birthday

Attendees at this year’s Akron 4th of July festival got to time travel to the 1970s.

“Take Me Back to the ’70s” was the theme for this year’s celebration of the town’s and America’s birthday, related to the fact that the two grand marshals for this year, Ruby Bowers and Shirley Bickel, both opened their beauty salons in town in 1973.

The two women rode at the beginning of the parade on a float decorated with flowers and a large bottle of Aqua Net. Bowers’ husband Mike Bowers, sporting a ’70s hairstyle, drove a VW bus pulling the float.

The entry would garner first place in the floats’ category. The second- and third-place winners in that category, Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill and the Bucher Family, respectively, incorporated the theme with peace signs and tie-dye.

The parade concluded with more than 40 vehicles that were part of a tribute ride for Dillon Prater. Prater, 29, of rural Akron, passed away last year.

He loved riding in utility terrain vehicles, so his family organized a delegation of them along with other modes of transportation people wished to enter. The family asked people who joined in the ride to give $25, which will be put into the Dillon Prater Memorial Fund being created through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to benefit kids in the Akron area.

The family also asked those in the ride to decorate their vehicles for their favorite teams as Prater loved sports. Nods to The Ohio State University, the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University were seen.

A full list of parade results may be seen below.

2023 Akron 4th of July Parade

Winners

Floats

First: Shirley Bickel and Ruby Bowers

Second: Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill

Third: Bucher Family

Antique/Classic Automobiles

First: Graham Geiger, 1956 Ford Fairlane

Second: Kerlin Motors, 1927

Model T Calliope

Third: Neuhart Orchard & Strawberries, 1931 Model A Ford

Tractors

First: Tom Weaver, 1974 Case 1370

Second: Orville Reese

Third: Parker & Sons

Marching Units

First: Tippecanoe Valley High School Cheer

Second: Kosciusko County Head Start/Early Head Start

Third: Cuddle Buddies Band

First: TVHS Viking Guard

Second: Marching Amigos

Horses

First: Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team 2