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Stanberry, MO Independence Day

Published July 4, 2019

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

Sirens will blare and hats will cover hearts. Kids will grab candy off the street and dogs will barf Tootsie rolls on the sidewalk. This is why we got divorced from England. Happy 4th of July from Stanberry, Missouri.

Children lined up for candy toss at Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July parade during Bernie Harberts mule ride stop.
And they’re all lined up: An orderly line of youngsters get ready for the candy shower.

The mules and I were there to soak up the action. And catch a Blow Pop and 3 Tootsie rolls. Here are some photos of the day.

Community breakfast with home grown sausage biscuits and fruit at Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July celebration.
The day starts with the community breakfast at the community hall. On the menu: home grown sausage, biscuits, coffee and fruit. Lots of fruit. Admission price? Free will offering.
Pink 1948 Farmall tractor named Pinky leading parade at Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July celebration.
Let the parade begin: Pinky leads the tractor charge. Pinky is a 1948 Farmall. I suspect the paint job isn’t original. This being the mid-West…
Tractors and children collecting candy at Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July parade during cross-country mule ride.
…there were lots of tractors. And well-behaved kids. These are the same kids as in the first photo. Note how they’re still perfectly lined up even though their bags are filling up with candy. Now that’s disciplined teamwork. Or maybe they’re all just glued to the ground by all that candy on the street.
Giant spreader truck dwarfing candy collecting children at Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July parade.
Yeah, those kids are definitely stuck to the ground by their flip flops. Not even this giant spreader truck could make them break rank. It did make them look mighty small, though.
Young child getting John Deere tractor drivers ed at Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July parade.
Driver’s ed courtesy of John Deere
Stanberry, Missouri residents watching 4th of July parade during Bernie Harberts cross-country mule ride stop.
Watching
American flag carried in Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July Independence Day parade.
Of course Old Glory was there.
Horses marching in Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July parade during cross-country mule ride stop.
It’s not a parade without horses.
Bernie Harberts sharing Tootsie rolls with mules Brick and Cracker after Stanberry, Missouri 4th of July parade.
It’s also not a parade without a belly ache. Brick and Cracker each get a Tootsie roll. I get the Blow Pop. And the left over Tootsie roll.

I wish you and your family a wonderful independence day wherever you are. Tomorrow, given decent weather, the mules and I head toward Conception, Missouri.

Bernie Harberts heading out of Stanberry, Missouri toward Conception, Missouri after 4th of July celebration.
Heading out

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7 Responses to Stanberry, MO Independence Day

  • Paige Guilliams on July 6, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    You camped at my landlords last night. If you’re heading west through Nebraska and end up going through Seward or Staplehurst, I have some family with land and a pond up there I can give you some names if you can email me. Safe travels!

    Reply
    • Bernie on July 6, 2019 at 7:32 pm

      Howdy Paige. Thanks for the offer of the Staplehurst contacts! I’m not quite sure which way I’m heading but I’ll be sure to give you a heads up if it includes Staplehurst. Say high to Sam for me. Next time you see him, tell him I sure enjoyed visiting with him in the pasture this morning before I headed out. Bernie

      Reply
  • Susan Hibbs on July 5, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    We were glad to have you, Brick and Cracker stop in Stanberry. Happy trails and safe travels.

    Reply
  • Christian Harberts on July 5, 2019 at 2:12 am

    Love this parade write-up!! I do have to ask – what is a home grown sausage? Is it true sausages grow on trees, as I have heard from a trusted source? If you don’t water the sausage trees enough during the Spring, do you get Slim Jims?

    Let me know if you find out, OK?

    Happy trails,

    C

    Reply
    • Bernie on July 6, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      Actually, these are all the kids’ 4-H pigs they raised at home from wee piglets in to sausage sized porkers. Okay, that’s not true at all. I saw them being grilled out back – 15 pounds boxes of sausages headed toward the grill. They were delicious. I asked no questions. I do like the Slim Jim visual!

      Reply
  • Kelli on July 5, 2019 at 1:59 am

    So glad you stopped by Stanberry to enjoy the festivities!! Happy travels!

    Reply

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