Everything ready for a glorious July 4th weekend in Charles City

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A long weekend full of Independence Day activities will begin with fun for the kids and end with flashes and booms for all ages.

After the pandemic curtailed most of the July 4 events last year until the fireworks were saved by a local business’s contribution, this year’s celebration is essentially back to normal, with many old favorite activities and several new ones.

One change from previous years will be the location for the fireworks show to cap off the weekend Sunday night. Because of construction at the courthouse and traffic congestion caused by the work on Highway 18, the fireworks will again be in the south part of town, in the same location as last year.

Because July 4th is on a Sunday this year many of the traditional morning and afternoon events are being held on Saturday so as not to conflict with church services, said Charles City Development Director Mark Wicks.

The municipal band’s patriotic concert and the fireworks display will both be Sunday evening.

The celebration begins Friday morning with the annual Kids Day, including the parade where youngsters are asked to decorate their bikes, trikes, scooters, wagons or other person-powered vehicles in red, white and blue, and dress themselves accordingly.

After the parade there will be more kids-oriented things to do at Central Park until noon, then things will start back up at 3 p.m. for an afternoon and evening of fun.

New this year will be a synthetic ice skating rink, pony rides and a hot dog eating contest (see stories on Page 6), as well as Tuey Wilson, a “comic stunt juggler” Friday and Saturday. A street dance with a DJ will end Friday evening, running from 5 to 10 p.m.

Saturday starts off early with registration for the Firecracker 5K race and walk starting at 6:15 a.m. and the race beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the high school.

The big Independence Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and travel from the staging area on 13th Avenue to Main Street and proceed southwest down North Main to Riverside Drive.

Trophies will be awarded in six categories — best commercial/business entry, best organization/non-profit entry, best open class entry, best antique vehicle, Chamber choice and mayor’s choice.

Activities after the parade include live music, including what is being billed as the final performance of popular local group Endless Summer. There will also be a Watermelon Eating Contest, a variety of kids activities, more music and a beer garden.

Sunday begins with a disc golf tournament in Sportsmen’s Park, the Ron Turner Memorial Golf Tournament at Cedar Ridge Golf Course and then the synthetic ice rink available again downtown.

The Charles City Municipal Band’s patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m. in central park sets the mood for the evening, followed by fireworks in the south part of town at about 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 2

• 10 a.m. – Kids Day Registration by bandshell in Central Park.
• 10:30 a.m. – Kids Day Parade around Central Park.
• 11 a.m.-noon – Free Activities in Central Park.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Kids Bowling Specials at Comet Bowl.
• 1-3 p.m. –Mini Golf special at Bayou Bend.
• 1:30 p.m. – Movie Matinee at Charles Theatre: “Spirit Untamed”.
• 3-5 p.m. – Free swim at Lions Field Pool.
• 3-8 p.m. – Pony Rides at Central Park, $5.
• 3-10 p.m. – Synthetic Ice Rink (bring your own skates or rent for $1) Central Park.
• 3:30 p.m. – Tuey Wilson, comic stunt juggler.
• 5:30 p.m. – Hot Dog Eating Contest in Central Park.
• 5-10 p.m. – DJ Street Dance at Central Park.
• 6:00 p.m. – Tuey Wilson, comic stunt juggler.
• 7:00 p.m. – Stoney Point Players present “The Wedding Singer,” North Grand Auditorium.
• 7:30 p.m. – Tuey Wilson, comic stunt juggler.

SATURDAY, JULY 3

• 7:30 a.m. – Firecracker 5K starts at High School.
• 9 a.m.-noon – Farmers market downtown.
• 10:30 a.m. – Independence Parade.
• After Parade – Central Park activities, including the Synthetic Ice Rink, a variety of kids activities, free juggling entertainer and musical performances, food and beer garden.
• 12-4 p.m. – Live music by Endless Summer – the final performance.
• 12:30 p.m. – Tuey Wilson, comic stunt juggler.
• 2:30 p.m. – Tuey Wilson, comic stunt juggler.
• 4:00 p.m. – Watermelon Eating Contest in Central Park.
• 4:30 p.m. – Tuey Wilson, comic stunt juggler.
• 5-7 p.m. – Live music by The Bushmen with David Williamson.
• 7-11 p.m. – Live music by Shirts & Skins.

SUNDAY, JULY 4

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Disc Golf Tournament in Sportsman’s Park.
• 10 a.m. – Ron Turner Memorial Golf Tournament at Cedar Ridge Golf Course.
• 1-5 p.m. – Synthetic Ice Rink.
• 7:30 p.m. – Charles City Municipal Band Concert in Central Park.
• 10 p.m. – Independence Day fireworks at approximately 10 p.m.

For more information, visit www.charlescitychamber.com, www.facebook.com/CharlesCityIowa, or email info@charlescitychamber.com.