By Bruce Karnick

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Parades normally take months of planning. School marching bands have their schedule done, sometimes nine or more months in advance. Color Guards get booked quickly, especially on common major parade days. Floats need time to be built or maintained, parade routes need to be planned, a staging area calculated, parking, permits, there is a lot of work to be done to host a parade.

That work was done and more, and it was extremely successful thanks to Nicole Sindelar and her team at the Hastings Golf Course / Hastings Public House. The route was simple, stage at St. Elizabeth Anne Seton and go down 15th Street from General Sieben Drive to Westview Drive, about a mile walk.

Hundreds of residents lined 15th Street to see the parade. Folks that owned houses along the route thought it was great to have it on their street. Viewers loved the parade being in a residential area and everyone seemed to be in agreement that it was wonderful seeing an event held somewhere other than downtown.

The Hastings Police Department Mobile Command Center started things off, followed by the Fire Department and Mayor Mary Fasbender walking along with Councilmembers Lori Braucks and Lisa Leifeld. Many Hastings businesses joined in on the day as well as local politicians trying to earn every vote.

The parade was put together in roughly two months and within that time, Sindelar brought together 40 different groups and the community at large to enjoy a fun, 45-minute parade to kick off the Fourth of July Festivities.

After the parade was over, social media was abuzz with all the positive feedback and wonderful pictures from the parade. Businesses loved the exposure, candidates loved the opportunities, groups loved the experience and onlookers all had fun. Oh, and the kids loved the candy!

“It’s great to be able to host a parade again in Hastings and get out in the communities we serve,” said Joe Leko who is running unopposed for Dakota County Sheriff.

Sindelar was seen thanking every float/ group she could just before the start of the parade. It was a big day for her and her crew. First the parade and then the music, food and fun back at the golf course before the fireworks. This was an ‘all hands on deck’ affair and they nailed it!

The night was capped off with another incredible fireworks show. Vermillion State Bank gets the credit for this annual entertainment, and this year’s show was among the best.

The Hastings Hockey Boosters brought out a few small teams to hand out candy. Here Natalie Steinke (Left) and Lilly Monahan (right) are having a blast giving out candy.

Chief David Wilske, Deputy Chief Bryan Schowalter and Sergeant Kyle Linscheid all pose with their cowboy hats on before the beginning of the parade.

The Busted Nut had the only horse in the parade, this lovely lady named Yellow.

Intek Plastics earn the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Year” award.

Katy Lindberg earned the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Volunteer of the Year” award.

The Fourth of July fireworks sponsored by Vermillion State Bank lit up the Hastings sky Monday night.

Mayor Mary Fasbender enjoyed waving to the crowd attending the parade.

Photos by

Bruce Karnick

See the full spread of Fireworks and Parade Photos from Bruce Karnick by clicking the links!