Putnam on Parade

Pleasant weather Sunday afternoon made for an ideal Putnam County Fair Parade that, as crowds lined Washington Street, seemingly wanting something that seemed like normal after a year without the event. The parade was literally led by the Putnam County Horse and Pony Club Color Guard (above), bearing the flags of the United States, Indiana and 4-H, and figuratively by Grand Marshal Jeff Rich, riding along in style with Rachel Goss in Rob Haltom’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air (below).

For many, the afternoon marked their first glimpse of the new Greencastle Fire Department Tower 7, which Chief John Burgess proudly drives.

While residents of all ages showed their excitement at the return of the Parade following its absence in 2020, no one seemed to enjoy the festivities quite so much as the children. That includes all of those who line Washington Street waiting for candy, such as Atlee Davies, who bears a tiny version of Old Glory in her right hand.

It’s also an exciting afternoon for those young souls taking part in the parade itself, like a young man driving an antique Cub Cadet mower with his family in tow, as well as the tyke riding shotgun on the Higgins family’s 1924 Model-T Russelville fire truck (below), who seems more excited to be throwing candy than those on the receiving end.

Quite the collection of antique tractors was on display Sunday at the Putnam County Fair Parade, courtesy of the Putnam County Antique Tractor and Machinery Association, including Internationals, Olivers, Allis Chalmers, Minneapolis Molines and the familiar hues of a John Deere (below).

Phil Clodfelter and his 1980 185 Allis-Chalmers.

Parade goers had to keep an eye out for candy and other projectiles, such as this flying disc from Clint Cooper of Carpenter Realtors.

A Volkswagen Bus outfitted as a camper represents the VW Brigade bringing up the tail end of the festivities.