Parking was at a premium, and some visitors claimed they walked from U.S. Highway 20 to attend the annual event. At minimum, the community more than doubled the number of vehicles in the city during the day-long event.

Overall, organizers said it was a bigger crowd than the last few years.

Nearly 60 entries were in the 45-minute long parade, according to Charlene Burton, a member of the Lions Club and parade organizer.

The Williams Lions Club has sponsored the annual Fourth of July celebration for 74 years, and it shows that they know how to make a celebration great. The fireworks display at the end of the evening lasted 26 minutes, at a cost of $12,000.

Freeman-Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor
Lady Liberty joined the parade with an admiring crowd cheering her onward.

“People said it was the best around,” Mike Burton said.

“The ball diamond was full and all the gravel roads around Williams were full of cars,” said Burton.

The musical entertainment by Jack Jensen Wibholm was a special addition for the 250th anniversary. The Burtons said the ball diamond was packed for his performance.

Each year organizers give out awards for the best entries in the parade. The results this year are as follows:

Kids Costumes and floats: 1st place — Little Princesses; 2nd place — Levi Wahlert; 3rd place — Owen Anderson; 4th place — Addie & Milo; and 5th place — Ranger, Ice Cream cut-out

Freeman-Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor
The MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums brought both precision and music as they marched through the streets of Williams on Saturday. This is the second year appearing in the Williams parade, playing patriotic music through their bagpipes.

Cars and Antiques: 1st place — Gene Alvestad with a 1970 Ford Ranch; 2nd place — Brian Burgess with a 1925 Chevy Ratrod and 1965 Milo craft boat

Commercial Floats: 1st place — Hardin County Corn Growers — Royle Duncan; 2nd place — “Celebrate Williams” — Hemkens; 3rd place – Williams Weiner Wagon Social Club — Troy Greenfield

Churches and organizations: 1st place — St. Mary Catholic Church; 2nd place — Happy Day Spa, Ernie Schutt; 3rd place — Pedal Pull, Grant Oskvig

Tractors and Machinery: 1st place — 1956 Farmall 300, Zack Williams; 2nd place International Harvester 2 + 2, Bob Hansel; 3rd place MM, UB Special, Andy Anderson

Horses: 1st place — Hamilton County Saddle Club

Freeman-Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor
Kristin Falkner and Audalee Corneliason work on the puzzle at the Talcott Mercantile in downtown Williams during the Williams Fourth of July celebration.

The Lions cash drawing saw Bob Schager of Iowa Falls winning the grand prize of $500.

The $25 winners were Harrison Hayes, Connie Keane, Jenny Frayne, Todd Brim, Danielle Van Kooten, Betsy Becker, Will Hoelscher, Lurlin Hoelscher, Wayne Blue and Elaine Keane.

Freeman-Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor
Skills were tested throughout the park on Saturday, to the point that the coin toss for dishes had to end when all the dishes were claimed. The simple events, from sand piles to ring tosses, were all enjoyed throughout the afernooon.

Freeman-Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor
The Williams Fire Department truck was fully decked out for the celebration, waving colors and sporting a patriotic paint job.