Jan True was the emcee for the Debs annual July 4th parade. Her assistant was Cameron Brandon. There were five people in Debs at 8 o’clock in the morning on July 4 and by 11 the streets had more than 1000 people and by 3 that afternoon they were back to 5. Jan lives in one house and Cameron with her family in the other house.

Harrison and Betsy Berard on the Debs parade float for the Trinity Lutheran meatball dinner.

The Beltrami DFL party chairman Steve Nelson riding on the float with Linda Lemer in the parade at Debs on July 4th.

Getting their Wingers West Alaska Resort float ready for the July 4th parade in Debs were from left to right Keith Winger, Tracy and Dan Looney.

The Bagley Motor Sports had an entry in the Debs July 4th parade. Riding in the vehicle were Jawon Williams, Sophia Jesness and Elliot Stai.

Jim Morgan inside the cab of the Alaska Township Fire truck in the Debs July 4th parade. He is one of the volunteers for the township.

Shelby and Dylan Radke entered their Percherons in the Debs July 4th. They have been working the two horses Gordy and Gunner for the past five years. One horse is 14 and the other is 8 years old.

Gordy Olson had his 1946A John Deere tractor in the Debs July 4th parade. It was bought new and on the Nels Olson Lake Century Farm. It was homesteaded in 1896.

Gunner Olson, grandson of Gordy Olson followed hi grandpa in the Debs July 4th parade with his first tractor. It is a 1941 H John Deer. It came from the Nels Olson Lake Century Farm. He is the 5th generation of the farm and is eight years old.

Briella Freye was all decked out for the July 4th parade in debs. She was also riding with the King and Queen Bill and Elaine Ihde.

Jan True asked who had come the furthest for the 2018 Debs July 4th parade. They did not find anyone who had come any further than Natalie Garder. She is from Queensland, Australia. She had never seen a parade like that before. She is shown with her husband Wolfgang

Debs parade

Tue, 07/17/2018 - 3:22pm admin

The volunteer group of area residents is planning the big 40th parade for Debs for next year. The event drew over 1500 to 2000 people this year for the annual event in the tiny town that has only 5 residents. With the dwindling population that may be the last one that will be held and it has been a tradition for many people for the past 39 years.

There are four people in town, four because you can’t count the one person off on her own, in the morning and by the start of the parade at 11:00 there are many people lining the Loop drive through Debs. Jan True lives in one house and a family in the other.

The parade this year was just as long in the past and some units went around three times because they had more goodies to throw to those along the route.

The event would not be possible without the help of area residents who also enjoy the annual get together.

Debs parade

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