“The Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago,” said WWG fifth grade student Cassidy VanDeVeire.

The anniversary wasn’t just an educational opportunity, however. Students and teachers took the celebration to the streets.

Lask week, families and local community members gathered along Walnut Grove’s Sixth Street and Main Street to cheer on a parade of WWG students. Behind a line of fire trucks, elementary school students dressed in red, white and blue marched with flags, signs and banners celebrating America’s birthday. There was music, kids blowing noisemakers, and even WWG Elementary staff dressed up in inflatable costumes.

“I liked how everyone was included in America’s 250th celebration,” said WWG fifth grader Hazel Klumper.

Photo by Deb Gau WWG students in kindergarten through sixth grade took part in the parade. Instead of having parade floats, older students decorated wagons so they could pull their younger siblings down Walnut Grove's Main Street.

“I liked how I was able to honor our country by carrying our nation’s flag,” said Maddan Wahl.

The school-wide celebration for the U.S. 250th anniversary was something new for WWG Elementary, said teacher Lairdie Kells. In addition to getting ready for the parade, students did a variety of America 250 activities this spring, like decorating classrooms and even helping to design blocks for a pair of patriotic quilts. The quilts, sewn together by Karla Gunderman, were on display outside the elementary school gymnasium last week.

Preparations for the parade really started to ramp up in the past month, Kells said. Older students decorated wagons, so they could pull their younger siblings down the street.

“I thought it was cool how the older ones pulled the younger ones in the parade,” said fifth grade student Addison Bjorklund.

The day of the celebration, students also decked themselves out with patriotic-themed hats, sunglasses, and face paint.

The parade headed down Sixth Street and a couple blocks of Main Street, before heading back to the elementary school. At the conclusion of the parade, the celebration continued with a music program at the school gymnasium. Band students performed a medley of patriotic songs. One of the other main performances included students singing and doing choreography to a song with lyrics based on the Pledge of Allegiance.

“My favorite part was the Pledge of Allegiance rap song,” said fifth grade student Jadyn Larson.

Students said they had fun taking part in the parade and music program, but they also learned some things.

“I learned we need to show respect for our country,” student Lauren Baker said.