City Notes: Let the spring and summer activities commence … please!

By Mark Wicks, Community Development Director

Let me be the first to debunk the rumor that the Fourth of July Celebration in Charles City has been postponed this year due to snow.

(Hopefully!)

Actually, I think I figured out what is going on with our crazy weather. Our Party in the Park Committee has come up with some great theme night ideas for this year, including “Christmas in July.”

I’m beginning to wonder if an unintended consequence of that is we will now have snow until then?! My Events Coordinator, Emily Garden, assures me that is not the case. But then again she has been running around in a Baby Chick costume the last few weeks, so consider the source.

All kidding aside, both the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce and Community Revitalization event committees have been hard at work planning for a number of fun events for the next four to five months.

We are excited about some of the new ideas bring brought forth and encourage everyone to get out your calendars and start marking the following dates down.

• First up on Friday, April 27, help applaud some of Charles City’s top volunteers at the annual Community Volunteer Recognition Event to be held at the Senior Center from 8-9 a.m.

Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. with a light breakfast of rolls, fruit and beverages offered. In addition to awards presented by both the Chamber and Community Revitalization, including the Man of the Year and Woman of the Year, other non-profit organizations in town will be honoring their top volunteers as well.

Tickets for this event are $5 and available in advance at the Community Development Office at 401 North Main, or at the door the morning of the award presentations.

• The Charles City Farmers Market kicks off the 2018 season on Saturday, May 5, adjacent to Central Park. The market will run through October 20 on Wednesdays, from 3:30-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Come check out the fresh, locally-grown produce, baked goods, craft items and more.

• You are invited to “Swing Into Spring” on May 18 at a “fun”raiser for downtown beautification at the Wildwood Clubhouse from 4:30-6:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and a swing dance demonstration by Janiece and Bruce Bergland.

• The aforementioned Party in the Park summer series gets underway on Friday, June 1, and will take place five nights this summer from 5-9 p.m. at Central Park. In addition to the free live music, food and beverage vendors, beer garden and youth activities each night, the PIP Committee is working on bringing in some new wrinkles and attractions. These will include themes for each event, starting with “Rivals Night” on June 1. The remaining PIP dates and themes are: “Decades Night” on June 15, “Red Carpet in Chucktown” June 29, “Christmas in July” on July 13 and “Chuck Goes To Hawaii” on August 3.

• The Charles City BBQ Challenge will return to the riverfront behind City Hall on Saturday, June 16. The public will be able to check out the professional and amateur BBQ teams alike as they smoke ribs all day in preparation for judging at 4 p.m. and a public tasting starting at 4:30 p.m.

• A week later it will be the Charles City Challenge: Whitewater Weekend with competitions on the whitewater course on June 23 and open kayaking/paddle boarding the day before and after.

• The Iowa Summer Games will also be competing on the whitewater course the following week on June 30. While this particular event is not put on by the Chamber, we do assist and it is worth checking out!

• Youth from throughout this region will show off their skills at the annual Bill Riley Talent Show in Charles City on Sunday, July 1, beginning at 1 p.m. This free showcase is open to ages 2-21 and offers prize money as well as a chance to qualify for the state fair.

• Speaking of new wrinkles, the Fourth of July Celebration Committee is planning some big ones this year. The Chamber-sponsored activities on July 3 and 4 will feature a bigger production stage the first night for headline The Dweebs, as well as a BMX Stunt Show both days. As usual there will be Kids Day, inflatable rides and the Uncle Sam Jam on the 3rd, as well as the Firecracker 5 races and Independence Day Parade the morning of the 4th, followed by food and fun in Central Park, the music of Endless Summer, a patriotic concert that evening by the Charles City Municipal Band and, of course, fireworks.

Keep watching and listening for more details on all of the above events as we get nearer to those dates. Otherwise, contact the Chamber at 641-228-4234, Community Revitalization at 641-228-2335, check the websites or email info@charlescitychamber.com to learn more. It promises to be fun and memorable times!

Now, Mother Nature, about this weather … it’s time to break out your summer party clothes!