TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The 77th annual Frontier Day Parade will take place this Friday for the Fourth of July. WTWO talked to a special resident who has been a participant in this event for nearly 30 years.
You may not know her, but for the last three decades, you’ve probably seen Connie Conway in the Frontier Day Parade in Terre Haute.
“I started out with 4-H kids, I was a leader for several years, and it was just some way we could do things together and talk about being independent,” Conway said.
Conway has driven an old tractor every year she has participated in the parade.
“We got an old 1942 International Harvester Tracker, and it’s a little one, and that doesn’t matter,” Conway said. “I used to hook it up to a wagon and put the kids or the people in it. We’d go down to the parade and they could throw candy.”
Conway is no longer a leader in 4-H, but that doesn’t stop her from doing it even if it’s on her own.
“I just get on the tracker and I have three or four sacks of candy and throw at the kids,” said Conway. “I love doing it.”
She said she continues to do this because of the people and friends she has met along the way.
“People will come up to me and say, ‘Hi Connie, how are you doing?’ I have no idea who they are, but I just stand there and talk to them like I know them,” Conway said.
Another way Conway likes to help celebrate Independence Day is to honor those fighting for our freedom by sending them boxes of goodies. She started that work in 2000 by gathering supplies to send to her son, who was serving our country. She continues to do this now for others.
“We have like toiletries that take care of soap, shampoo, lotions, conditioners, toothbrush, toothpaste, anything that you use on your body, toiletries. toilet paper, I’ve had guys thank me for toilet paper, and it’s things we take for granted, they don’t have,” stated Conway.
Conway will also send food to service members.
“I’ll send them Girl Scout Cookies, they love that,” said Conway. “I send them Pop Tarts, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, just things we take for granted.”
Conway feels like this is a calling to her and she will continue to do it for as long as she can.
“I don’t know, I’m just thankful that god gave me this to do, because I love doing it.” stated Conway
If you or anyone you know is in the military and wants Conway to send a box, or if you want to help support her with donations, you can contact Conway at her email redwhiteblue1629@msn.com
