For Millie Babbini, the Fourth of July is an extra special holiday, as it is also her birthday. This year, Babbini celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends, family, and the community as she served as Grand Marshall of Mountain Iron’s Fourth of July parade.

“Millie and my family here, the Babbinis, they’ve just been a staple in Mountain Iron forever. And so, it is extra fun because when she gets driven down this road today during the parade, everybody knows who she is,” said Babbini’s granddaughter, Wendy Roder.

For Millie’s grandchildren, including Jason Gellerstedt, their relationship with their grandma is extremely special.

“The greatest thing about my grandmother is her non-filter. She will throw out some very colorful words at the drop of a hat. And it doesn’t matter what the word is, we’ll just laugh at it,” said Gellerstedt.

For many of the family members, coming to celebrate with Millie is a top priority.

“We do what we have to do to make sure that we get up here every year on her birthday, Christmas time, still to see her,” said Roder.

Being able to celebrate 100 years of life with Millie brings the family a sense of joy.

“When you’re my age, you’re just blessed by God to still have your grandmother alive and be able to celebrate with her. For her to have her birthday on July 4th, it’s always been such a great party. But just anytime that you can spend a day with your grandparents, especially at my age, is just a blessing,” said Gellerstedt.

“She is just, you know, 100 years old, but she’s still the life of the party. She still is the family comedian. She is what brings, she’s the cohesiveness that brings us all together from all the different states that we all are now living in, raising our own families, no matter what,” said Roder.

Over 70 family members and friends joined Millie in the parade, dawning special birthday t-shirts and walking alongside their loved one and bringing the party to the entire Mountain Iron community.