The turnout, estimated at 75, was lower than past years and the annual children?s parade was canceled for lack of participants.
At the same time, the gathering proved to be a good place to meet political candidates. Bob Hein and Roger Fleming, Republican candidates for the First District position on the Marion County Board of Commissioners, both addressed the gathering briefly.
Also recognized in the crowd were Bob Brookens and Cheryl Green, Republican candidates for the 70th District in the Kansas House.
Featured speaker for the event was Audrey Mann, wife of Tracey Mann, who is running as a Republican for the U.S. House of Represent?atives from the state?s First District.
Audrey Mann, a Tabor College graduate, reinforced the positive values of America?s history and form of government, and saluted those who have served in the military to protect American freedoms.
Prior to those presentations, Don Dahl recited the Gettys?burg Address dressed up as Abraham Lincoln, and Uncle Sam, better known as Dale Honeck, mingled among the people handing out flag stickers.
The featured musicians for the evening were the Hiebert Dulcimers, comprised of the husband-and-wife team of Eddie and Robert Hiebert from Abilene. Both are natives of Marion County.
