CEDAR FALLS - Princesses and fairies joined a bumblebee, a dinosaur and Harry Potter in the shade before the 16th annual Sturgis Falls children's parade Friday.
Kids donned a variety of costumes inspired by the festival's Simply the Best theme.
Brothers Hayden and Harrison Foss, 5 and 6, respectively, wore helmets and their favorite players' jerseys in honor of the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup championship this year.
They play hockey for the Waterloo Junior Hawks and are huge Blackhawks fans.
Harrison roots for No. 88 Patrick Kane. Hayden sported fake sideburns to imitate No. 19 Jonathan Toews.
"Mom used makeup," Hayden said.
And they didn't leave out little sister Sloane, 9 months, who went as the Stanley Cup and rode along in a wagon.
Mom Page had to get creative. She printed a photo of the trophy online, glued it onto two pieces of foam and connected them with straps to drape over Sloane's tummy and back. A collapsible dog dish was painted silver to serve as a hat.
"Some days she'll wonder why her brothers dressed her up like that," she said, snapping a few pictures.
The trio, participating for the first time, was awarded the most creative entry.
Another sports-themed group carried a poster that read: Vote UNI Panthers men's basketball Simply the Best upset. The team is up for an ESPY Award, which airs on ESPN in July.
"U-N-I, U-N-I, U-N-I," chanted Anastasia Davidson, 7, and best friend Jannah Tepic, 6. They wore University of Northern Iowa cheerleading outfits.
"Roar!" growled Anastasia's sister, Eliana, 5. She posed as UNI mascot T.C.
They won the best use of theme prize.
"We're excited because this is our favorite thing to do," Jannah said.
The mayor's choice award went to the "county fair kids," including Marilee, 8, Sarah, 5, Lauren, 4, Russell, 2, and Rachel, 1, Storm.
"It's fun. It's hard. It's difficult," said Cedar Falls Mayor Jon Crews on judging. "They're all cute."
All participants received a blue ribbon.
For the first time, the parade had a grand marshal. Emma DeWitt of Cedar Falls won the Sturgis Falls Coloring Contest and the honor to lead the parade. More than 200 entries were submitted.
Crews said warm temperatures and a light breeze made for an "almost perfect" day in the shade. He estimated about 200 parents and kids marched from Lincoln Elementary School, down Franklin Street and through Overman Park.
"We like to tell the kids that they start out Sturgis Falls because it's the first big event," said Kim Burger with the
Thomas Sabo Charm ClubCedar Falls Tourism and Visitor's Bureau. "I think a lot of the charm of this event is just the fact that it's casual and we kind of let the kids have the stage and run the show."