The top three award winners were: First place, The Drug Store of Iron Mountain; second place, Walmart; and third place, the combined Iron Mountain and Kingsford Marching Bands.

Entries were judged on entertainment, creativity and public appeal. This year’s themes were “Celebrating America250” and “Wild West.”

The recipients of the Chairperson Excellence Award were the Pine Mountain Christian School of Iron Mountain and Leeds Real Estate of Iron Mountain.

The second-annual Chairperson Excellence Award recognizes the entry that best demonstrates dedication to the parade’s success through positive interactions and overall contribution to the event’s energy and excitement.

The Drug Store of Iron Mountain was the first place winner in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. With the plaque, from left are Peggy Oman, Sarah Nieschulz and Debbie Gauger. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Parade Chair Ashley Ellis acknowledge the efforts of all the 2026 parade participants. “It was once again difficult to choose a winner — we had many exceptional entries this year,” she said.

The non-profit organization expressed their appreciation to Dickinson County Judges Mary Barglind, Tom Slagle and Christopher Ninomiya and Prosecuting Attorney Abbey Anderson for always showing up to judge the contest.

They also gave a special thank you to those who helped to make the parade a success. They include local law enforcement and public works departments for traffic control.

The 2027 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day Parade theme will be “Heroes and Villains.”

“We know many planners and competitors like to start early,” Ellis said.

The Walmart Wild West float in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. (Ron Deuter photo)

For more information and updates on the 2027 parade, go the

“Parade Information” Facebook page.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

Second place in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade went to the Walmart float. Accepting the plaque, from left are Amanda Gurgall, Angel Lo Coco, Kacey Weippert and Sean Patchin. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Some of the Iron Mountain and Kingsford Marching Band in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. (Ron Deuter photo)

Third place in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade went to the combined Iron Mountain and Kingsford Marching Bands. Shown are Iron Mountain Band Director Craig Recla and Kingsford Band Director Marc Rose. (Submitted photo)

Pine Mountain Christian School goes Wild West in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. (Submitted photo)

Pine Mountain Christian School received the Chairperson Excellence Award in the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. Mackenzie Swanson, float designer, artist, volunteer and past student, receives the 2026 award along with Tucker. Tiffany Peterson also assisted the parade project with her horses. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Leeds Real Estate went with “Toy Story” for the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. (Ron Deuter photo)

Kim Harder Webb of Leeds Real Estate displays the 2026 Chairperson Excellence Award from the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)