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The Crouse family clown company from Watertown entertains along the parade route.
The Crouse family clown company from Watertown entertains along the parade route.
Even the horses show their patriotism.
Even the horses show their patriotism.
Kids go home with plenty of candy.
Kids go home with plenty of candy.
Politicians don't miss Kranzburg, especially in an election year. Here, Sen. John Thune works the crowd.
Politicians don't miss Kranzburg, especially in an election year. Here, Sen. John Thune works the crowd.
Watertown's municipal band performs patriotic tunes.
Watertown's municipal band performs patriotic tunes.
The line of fireworks has become a tradition.
The line of fireworks has become a tradition.
Festive costumes are everywhere.
Festive costumes are everywhere.
Patience is a virtue while waiting for the beer float.
Patience is a virtue while waiting for the beer float.
Vietnam veterans ride motorcycles through the parade.
Vietnam veterans ride motorcycles through the parade.
More than 5,000 people flock to Kranzburg, pop. 150, for the Fourth of July parade.
More than 5,000 people flock to Kranzburg, pop. 150, for the Fourth of July parade.

Kranzburg is King on the Fourth of July

Jun 30, 2016

 

Kranzburg, population 150, is king on the Fourth of July. If Descartes, the great philosopher and mathematician, were called upon to construct a philosophy for the foundation of man and the celebration of independence, and if he were a South Dakotan, it would begin: “I think, therefore I am … at the Kranzburg parade on the Fourth of July.” There are other South Dakota communities that crave this recognition for the day we honor our American independence, but they would have a tough time measuring up. With supporting photos to dispel claims of embellishment, here are 10 reasons why Kranzburg is King on July 4.

 

10. There are clowns — a lot of them — and not those Shriner guys in little fezzes. These are more like Hobo Day clowns and they entertain young and old alike — and occasionally spray them with water or lipstick-laden kisses!

 

9. Horses with hoofs painted red, white and blue. Even the non-human participants are into this parade.

 

8. Copious amounts of candy. Every kid leaves with a bag of goodies picked up off the dirt main street. A smile, a wave and a cheer will inspire just about every entry to throw candy. As the kids run under horses, tanks and flatbeds, it becomes clear why the City Council runs an ad each year in the Watertown Public Opinion disavowing any knowledge or responsibility for the event!

 

7. Politicians. I once saw U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle walking the parade with a very big Secret Service agent right behind him (I’m pretty sure the Secret Service guy had to skip item #3 below). Sen. John Thune was there last year, and in election years every person that stops for a second on the route is stickered with the whole slate from both parties.

 

6. A band on a flatbed. The Watertown Municipal Band rides through the parade entertaining the crowd with John Philip Sousa march tunes. Young and old swing, smile and cheer to the music that triumphantly celebrates America’s freedom.

 

5. Thousands of firecrackers rolled out down the middle of the parade route and randomly discharged. Happens every year — great noise, no fatalities. If you want to be the best on the Fourth, you have to sound like it, and little Kranzburg’s random pyrotechnics are a roar for freedom.

 

4. Festive costumes and red, white and blue everywhere. Three years ago, a local college student in a red, white and blue speedo ran right up the front of a van in the parade and danced on the roof! Not sure if his poor choreography, or the bill for the damage, was more disturbing for the family the next day. But, the spirit of the Fourth moves people in Kranzburg. While famous South Dakota kicker Adam Viniatieri didn’t make it last year, his Sioux Falls City Councilmember sister, and her whole family of in-laws, were there in red, white and blue tights. Fashion assumes a whole new meaning here on Independence Day.

 

3. Kranzburg’s parade is the only one in South Dakota where spectators can get cold tap beer off floats as the parade goes by. But they serve a balanced menu. The Coteau Cattlemen toss out beef sticks, and other floats have popsicles. My only caution is to avoid the hot dogs cooked on the diesel engine.

 

2. Patriots. Veterans groups and the American flag are prominent in the Kranzburg festivities. The Vietnam Veterans on motorcycles carry flags and capture the crowd’s respect. They are a vivid reminder of the reason for the celebration.

 

1. 5,000 South Dakotans, who, for that morning, are your best friends. They pack themselves along a two street parade, singing, cheering and celebrating what makes America — and South Dakota — great.

 

While the Kranzburg parade is the definition of Marquis of Queensbury rules for a public event, there are actually two rules — mostly science things — that are not suspended and to which you must adhere.

First, the parade starts at 10:30 a.m. There will be 5,000 people driving the 8 miles down Highway 212 from Interstate 29 and trying to get into a town of 150 by then, so get there early. If you arrive an hour early you can avoid a half hour traffic jam on Highway 212, and you can find a place to park that is within a mile walk.

Second, make a friend. You can camp out in just about any yard along the parade route and find many new friends who will likely share adult refreshments with you. Mostly, people tend to go back to the same spot where their family and friends have been squatting for decades. If you make friends with the folks who live along the route, you might get bathroom privileges, and not have to share the four porta-potties with the other 4,999 guests.

We camp in front of “Aunt Barb’s place.” I never knew my mother-in-law’s Aunt Barb, and I now think she maybe never lived there, but some relative of hers did. That’s close enough for our family to have bathroom privileges.

In Kranzburg on the Fourth of July, everybody’s a friend you just haven’t met yet.

Lee Schoenbeck grew up in Webster, practices law in Watertown, and is a freelance writer for the South Dakota Magazine website.

Comments

03:36 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Charlie Mack, Clark, SD said:
One fun and unique event that has been discontinued was the daytime live music and dance at Gruenheck Hall. It would start right after the parade and go until mid afternoon, then start back up in the evening. Terry's Western Swing played quite often. When I describe this to folks who have never attended Kranzburg they are not sure if to believe or not.
04:13 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Leah Reichling said:
Lived in Kranzburg up until I got married and the only 4th of July I ever missed was when I was in the hospital having my first son, Alex. He will be 18 this year and will be celebrating once again in Kranzburg, I think he needs a kiss by those great clowns.
04:46 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Karen Raml said:
We bought our house along the parade route 10 1/2 years ago because it was the perfect spot to view parade. We enjoy friends and family each year as we have our festivities. I wish the music and street dance would come back as would be nice entertainment after the parade.
04:51 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Donlynn Crouse Rice said:
My 90 year old father...the original D Crouse, will be in the Kranzburg parade entertaining for the 46th year with a 98 year old vehicle and 4 generations of clowns - the youngest being his 8 month old great-grandson from Ohio. We all love the Kranzburg parade!! Please give him a big cheer when he drives by in his second oldest vehicle, a 1923 firetruck.
05:32 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Kristi said:
Lee, you really hit the nail on the head with this article but I would be remiss if I didn't let you know that you missed mentioning one incredibly, well unique entry, the sewer truck! How many parades can have that honor?! Thanks, Lee! Great article!!🇺🇸
06:25 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Josh said:
Regarding number four. It did cost that young man some serious cash. $750 worth of dancing fun.
10:40 pm - Thu, June 30 2016
Lisa Lane said:
Good article Lee. We may have to grant you bathroom priveleges again this year....and it is Aunt Barb's daughters home....you'll get it one of these years...;-)
See you there!
04:05 am - Fri, July 1 2016
Joy Reichling Nordstrom said:
I remember my parents Alfred and Mary Reichling taking us to Kranzburg for the 4th of July, about 66 yrs. ago!
08:39 pm - Fri, July 1 2016
Beth Mack said:
Have lived in Kranzburg for 38 years--have lived on the parade route for 33 years.before that lived behind the Gruenheck Hall. Has always be a great time to meet old and new friends. Plenty of free parking on the east side of town. But please br respectful of people's property. We have plenty of garbage to pick up the day after (our Youth Catholic Forresters) do this on the 5th. Happy 4th and Welcome to our town . We are so proud of it.
09:37 pm - Fri, July 1 2016
Ken Kranz said:
Thanks Lee for the story regarding the Kranzburg 4th of July Parade.

Our Great Grandfather, Johann Kranz, would have been in awe of your story. (My how things have changed) In March of 1878, the railroad convinced he and two brothers to come west from Minnesota to settle in South Dakota. Later Johann served as the first Chairman of the Kranzburg township.

As a good German, I am sure he would be waiting for and enjoy the beer float. Not sure what he would think about our very first Kranzburg 4th of July Parade. They actually went around the block twice to make the parade appear to be longer. We still enjoyed it.
07:36 am - Sat, July 2 2016
Scott Diamond said:
As a descendant of Michael Kranz (Maternal Great-Great Grandfather). I would put this event on my bucket list. Great article. Lee, your writing puts full-time "journalists" to shame.
08:37 am - Sat, April 28 2018
charlotte eich said:
hi whats the population of the kranzburg parade
01:13 pm - Sat, July 17 2021
David kranz said:
Wow, I grew up in St. Paul, how did I not hear of this reunion!?
I'll see ya'll next year my Brethren. sister sent me the article and put it on our 2022 list.
It sure makes me thirsty thinking about it.
Cheers, Dave Kranz

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