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Winners announced in the 2026 IM-K Independence Day parade

By Terri Castelaz 2 min read

IRON MOUNTAIN -- The Borderhounds LE/MC have announced the winners of the 2026 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade on July 4.

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.

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.

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.

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