Toledo EMS Director Greg Johnson and Assistant Director Jesse Brown posing with the ambulance display. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GREEN LIGHT DAVIS

TOLEDO — It was a warm July evening at the Stoplight Festival, which was held last Friday, July 12 in downtown Toledo. After previous run ins with a pandemic, weather, and RAGBRAI, the festival was up and running this year with a large turnout of citizens from near and far on hand to enjoy the event.

Barefoot Becky opened the evening entertainment schedule with her electrifying accordion playing and brought select audience members to the point of dancing about on the courthouse lawn. With music playing and food and beverage aplenty the night was afoot.

The Toledo Farmers Market was set up and business was booming! In addition to the weekly stands of the farmers markets several other local organizations made an appearance. The South Tama Archery Club held a cake walk and had a prize wheel, Tama County Cattlemen were out grilling, and several local candidates

As the evening went on Barefoot Becky finished her set and the stage was configured for the next act, the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Returning to the Stoplight Festival, the rock quartet brought their flash and flair, entertaining all with their 50’s and 60′ rock ‘n’ roll.

One of the event organizers and founders Travis Mullen spoke of the success of the event.

The Toledo-Tama Kiwanis returned with their annual root beer float stand. Pictured (left to right) backrow: Cindy Roth, Larry Fletcher, Donna Smith, John Legg. Front row: Sara Feisel and Karen Mixdorf. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

“The Stoplight Festival Committee would like to thank all that came out to enjoy the great entertainment and food. It’s satisfying to look back on another successful festival,” he said. “Special thanks to Cathy Campbell who again provided great sound and MCing. See everyone next year!”

With the extreme heat radiating over Iowa, the Stoplight Festival wasn’t untouched. Although sweaty, many had fun at the event.

Putting a fine point on how dangerous the weather can be was the display put on by the Toledo Police Department. A large thermometer loaned to the department by Blanks Children’s Hospital illustrated the treacherous temperatures inside a car left in the sun. This display showed how hazardous a vehicle can be to a child or an animal left inside on a summer’s day. From 87 degrees outside to 115 on the inside of the car, 28 degrees can be the difference between life and death.

Next to the Police Department’s display was the Toledo EMS display. A Toledo ambulance was sitting on the courthouse lawn, open to show all in attendance the inner workings of the emergency vehicle. The life saving equipment that stocks the vehicle all had price tags to illustrate just how much money goes into the furnishing of an ambulance.

A Lucas device, a Power System Gurney, a Power Load System, a Ferno Stair Chair, a CPAP/Ventilator, and a Life Pack 12 Device were all on display. These six pieces of ambulance equipment cost approximately $147,500.

Toledo Police Chief Dan Quigley and reserve officers DeLaynee Henle and Clay Morris posing with the car thermometer illustrating how hot a car can get. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GREEN LIGHT DAVIS

Toledo EMS Director Greg Johnson and Assistant Director Jesse Brown posing with the ambulance display. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels headlined the event with their 50’s and 60’s rock n’ roll! PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

The Toledo Fire Department’s water fights have become an annual staple at the festival. Pictured are two young men in the midst of an intense clash. A battle of will contested with nothing but two hoses. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

Inflatable fun was being had by many children! PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Getting a bite of a Tama Cattlemen burger became quite the investment with a line stretching far into the grass on the courthouse lawn. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Barefoot Becky. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Lawrence Husak has been known to dust off his dancing shoes when the polka music starts playing. This year’s Stoplight Festival was no different with the crowd pleasing tunes of Barefoot Becky. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

Articx Houghton was in costume as his character in the community theatre production of "Greater Tuna" and promoted the show during the festival. PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MEYER & MICHAEL D. DAVIS