The parade is the opening of a day of children’s games and bingo sponsored by the Legion’s Junior Auxiliary. The day includes a vendor fair of work by local artisans, food, exhibits by high school cheer teams and an auction of goods and veteran-made items donated by businesses and other local folks. Each evening culminates with a live music concert; this year by country band 8 Seconds; Sheltered Reality (a youth drum corp); the Purdy River Band, and popular rock favorite, Two Buck Chuck.
The parade was held Saturday morning, with everyone in the surrounding area invited to participate. Floats, vintage cars and tractors, school groups, local businesses, area fire department vehicles and even a few live animals show up each year to march down Swisher’s main drag, while hundreds of kids scramble for tossed candy.
All of the proceeds from Swisher Fun Days activities are used to support American Legion Veterans programs, which includes all veterans, whether they are members or not, and children and youth programs.
Every dollar donated to American Legion programs is used for veterans’ programming, Palas noted. American Legion membership supports its own administrative costs so none are taken from donations.
“One of the missions of the American Legion family, which is made up of Legion veterans, Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, is to be involved in and assist their communities to move forward into the future,” Palas said.