GALLERY: Kids’ Day leads the fun before 4th festivities

Miss Fourth of July Riley Quade, 6 (Charles City) and Mister Fourth of July Max Klesath, 7 (Nora Springs) lead a parade of bikes, trikes, kids and parents during Monday morning's Kids Day festivities. Miss and Mister Fourth of July are picked randomly by State Bank from a list of applicants ranging from preschool to fourth grade. Press photos by Kate Hayden

A crowd of families marches up north Main Street at the start of the Kids' Day Parade Monday morning.

An estimated 800 participants or more joined the Kids' Day Parade and Central Park celebrations, Chamber of Commerce event coordinator Erica Wipperling said.

Day camp participants with SOAR — School's Out At Rockford — came to Kids' Day festivities on Monday in Charles City. SOAR offers all-day field trips and activities during the summer, and before/after school activities or supervision during the school year, volunteer Fallon Marth said.

The Charles City Shining Stars perform in Central Park on Monday morning, coached by Marla Rima.

Leah Darst of the Minnesota Zoo shows off one of her nocturnal companions during a short exhibit at Central Park.

Harper Hagarty, 5, examines a turtle at the Floyd County Conservation booth in Central Park.

Brothers Carson Linde, 8, and Elliott Linde, 6, spray their target at the Charles City Fire Department's waterball game station in front of the Charles City Arts Center.