‘Spirit of Charles City Drive’ to replace July 4th parade this year

To The Press

You won’t have to worry about hauling a chair downtown and staking out a spot the night before to have a good seat for the Independence Day Parade in Charles City this year.

Instead, you can enjoy the view from the comfort of your vehicle and take in the July Fourth sights at your leisure.

The Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce committee that organizes the annual Fourth celebration is coming up with some alternative activities that will allow for safer social distancing, while still celebrating the holiday, the committee said.

Concerns because of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the traditional Fourth of July celebration activities in Charles City like the downtown parade, Central Park activities and fireworks being canceled for this year.

So for 2020 the Chamber is promoting a do-it-yourself parade/drive around town.

“Rather than lining up along the street and watching the parade roll past you, this year you can roll past the decorative displays and floats,” said Chamber Events Coordinator Jen Solomon.

“We are organizing a ‘Spirit of Charles City Drive’ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.” on July 4, she said. “Residents and visitors can drive around town to check out holiday displays, including static floats, as well as business and residential entries in our Holiday Decorating Contest.”

Businesses and organizations that usually participate in the Independence Day Parade are being encouraged to create a float or display in front of their own location that people can drive by.

The Chamber is also arranging for a variety of food trucks to be located around town to enjoy, as well as promoting and supporting local restaurants and bars open that day.

Participants in the drive are being encouraged to decorate their own vehicle or create signs and parade past local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and Comprehensive Systems locations where residents have been closed off from the public because of the pandemic.

“We need to remember and involve those who are unable to come out and celebrate with us,” said Solomon. “Let’s share the holiday spirit with them!”

Other activities around town are being arranged for July 3rd and 5th and are listed on the schedule at charlescitychamber.com, but aside from the Spirit of Charles City drive, the only planned public activity at this point on July 4th will be the Charles City Farmers Market adjacent to Central Park from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Take a drive between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to get out of the house, enjoy the spirit of the community, grab a bite to eat and do your own thing the rest of the day,” Solomon said. “Hopefully we can all get back together again in a more traditional way next year, but in the meantime let’s make the best of it.”

Businesses or organizations with activities on the holiday weekend or that plan to participate in the Spirit of Charles City Drive are asked to contact the Chamber. Spirit Drive registration forms are due in by 5 p.m. on July 1 in order to be included on the online participant list. There is no fee to participate.

There is no fee to enter the Holiday Decorating Contest as well, which will run from June 19 to July 5, with the winners and awards announced on July 6. To enter email a photo of your display to the Chamber by 5 p.m. June 18. Include your name, address and whether it is for the Business of Residential category.

Voting for the decorating contest will be done through Facebook by “liking” entries at Chuck Town: Charles City, Iowa through July 5.