Nisswa celebrates with Freedom Days Parade

Parade floats with fire hoses and other water-sprayers were popular at the annual Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3, when temperatures rose into the 90s.

Main Street was lined with families - many dressed in red, white and blue - as the 65-unit parade made its way down the street. Being sprayed with water and gathering up candy were the main focus for kids watching the parade.

Mallory Weggemann, a record-setting, two-time Paralympic swimmer for Team USA who will compete in the Paralympics in Tokyo this summer, rode a float in the parade.

Other events July 3 included Turtle Races, live music and food vendors.

1/8: Minnesota Paralympian gold medal swimmer Mallory Weggemann holds a flag on a float in the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3. Weggemann will compete at the Paralympics in Tokyo this summer for the third time. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

2/8: Nisswa Mayor John Ryan waves to the crowd during the Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

3/8: Freedom Days Parade-goers wait to get wet as the Nisswa Family Fun Center float goes by Saturday, July 3, in Nisswa. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

4/8: A boy waves an American flag in the Rafferty's Pizza float at the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

5/8: A man driving a Nisswa Fire & Rescue truck hoses down the crowd at the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

6/8: Nisswa Citizen of the Year Lee Seipp rides in the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

7/8: The Nissrods participate in the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

8/8: The Pequot Lakes Lightning hockey team participates in the Nisswa Freedom Days Parade on July 3, 2021. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal