Johnson parade highlights another Fourth of July

It was at about the quarter-way point of the 47th running of the Johnson Fourth of July parade.

A high, rural-district fire truck rolled along, suckers and Tootsie Rolls trailing down from the top to crowds of spectators lining Johnson Road.

“Candy fire!” called out an 8-year-old boy.

Bap, bap, bap.

“Oh shh…” said a 20-year-old woman as the candy landed around her on the plastic bedliner of a pickup.

More floats rolled by, in the annual event originated and populated by many Druffel family members, and the throngs that join them on Fourth of July morning.

One exhibit saluted Alma Druffel for h...