Vic Ryckaert

The Indianapolis Star

AURORA, Ind. — A parade float depicting Hillary Clinton in an electric chair with Donald Trump throwing the switch has sparked a controversy in Eastern Indiana.

The float, which also featured a depiction of President Obama as an Easter Island head painted black, was part of a parade Sunday for the Aurora Farmers Fair, Cincinnati station WCPO-TV reported on their website.

"Who thinks this is something to laugh at or be proud of?" Aurora resident Penny Britton wrote on Facebook. "This is disgusting. This makes me embarrassed to say I live here."

The maker of the float, Frank Linkmeyer, told WCPO.com that he was just trying to make people laugh.

"It’s all in fun," Linkmeyer said. "Laughter is the best medicine in life and this country needs more laughter — and the people that are offended by it, I’m sorry. Don’t come to the parade next time."

Aurora, population 3,700, is about 30 miles west of Cincinnati along the Ohio River.

The Aurora Lions Club, the parade organizer, apologized for allowing the float in the parade and noted it does not reflect the views of the organization.

"The Aurora Lions Club regrets the display which was part of the Aurora Farmers Fair parade," the organization said in a statement posted on their website. "We appreciate the high levels of support and esteem given to us by our citizens. We will continue to do our best to live up to their standards."

Indiana parade float depicts Obama in toilet and words 'Lying African'

The city also issued a statement denouncing the float.

"We are disappointed that the actions of a few individuals have taken the focus away from what was otherwise a very successful 108th Aurora Farmers Fair," the city said, according to WCPO.com. "The city of Aurora refuses to believe that this particular float is in any way a reflection of the Aurora Lions Club or its members."

The Dearborn County Democratic Party defended the Lions Club, noting the organization has done "a tremendous amount of good."

"This offensive, out-of-touch float does not reflect the family-friendly values of our community," the group said in a statement.

In July, an Independence Day parade float sparked a similar reaction just north of Indianapolis in Sheridan. That float depicted Obama in a toilet and a sign with the words "Lying African."

Follow Vic Ryckaert on Twitter: @VicRyc