Jim Pearson waves while driving a restored antique Oliver tractor during the Clutier Fun Day grand parade held last Saturday in the northern Tama Co. Czech community. Pearson took part in the parade alongside father O.J. Pearson — a former Clutier resident who now lives in Iowa City, brother Kevin Pearson, and grandson Jackson who all rode on the tractor. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

CLUTIER – The Clutier Fun Day grand parade made its way around town this past Saturday just after 1 p.m. as part of the annual town celebration.

This year’s parade featured several Clutier area Century and Heritage Farm families including the Kremenak Century Farm which was founded in 1916 — matriarch Ollie Kremenak, 100, rode in the parade, waving from the passenger seat of a black Ford Mustang.

The Linhart Century Farm (1880), Smolik Century Farm (1920), Novotny Century Farm (1909), and Vokoun Heritage Farm of Chelsea (1868) were also featured in the parade.

2023 Tama County Fair Princess Emily Hulme of rural Clutier was named Grand Marshal this year.

Area businesses with floats in the parade included Clutier’s own Bohemian Blonde, CNC Lumber & Supplies of Dysart, and the oldest continuous business in Clutier, Cizek Manufacturing & Distributing Co. which was established in 1911.

PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Tama County Sheriff’s Deputy Casey Schmidt led the parade in his cruiser followed by the American Legion Color Guard which was composed of both Clutier and Traer Legion members.

The Clutier Auxiliary also had a float in the parade with member Collette Wiebbecke at the wheel.

Candidates for Tama County Sheriff, Clutier First Responders, Clutier Fire, Traer Fire, Tama County Against Turbines, and the ZCBJ Hall also participated, throwing so much candy to eager youngsters who lined the streets it was like Christmas in August.

Ned the horse and his young rider Korbyn were last but certainly not least, bringing up the parade’s caboose.

The weather was sunny and hot with a perfect blue sky punctuating the spaces between the downtown buildings and overhead.

Members of the Hora-Machacek American Legion Post No. 453 ride in the 2023 Clutier Fun Day grand parade along Main Street on Aug. 5. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Certainly a great day to stand up for Clutier!

The parade as it passes by on Main Street. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

The ZCBJ Hall parade float. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

A parade float featuring both the Novotny Century Farm of rural Clutier and the Vokoun Heritage Farm of rural Chelsea makes its way down Clutier’s Main Street last Saturday afternoon. Several area Century Farm families were featured in this year’s Fun Day parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Oldest continuous business in Clutier, Cizek Manufacturing's parade float. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Tama County Against Turbines parade float. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Bohemian Blonde owner Steph Kupka and her partner Kyle Wildman smile as they ride down Clutier’s Main Street during the Fun Day parade. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Young equestrian Korbyn and her horse Ned round out the Clutier Fun Day grand parade last Saturday afternoon. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON