Wellman to hold Independence Day bash Wednesday

WELLMAN ? The town of Wellman has planned one of the grandest festivals ever held on a Wednesday. Wellman will celebrate Independence Day next week with a day full of food, games and dancing, not to mention fireworks.

The fun begins Tuesday night with a dance at Parkside Activities Center from 7 p.m. to midnight. Local band ?Hard Barney? is the headline act and it will perform with special guest ?The Rockin? Flames.? The Rockin? Flames have been inducted into the Iowa Rock ?n? Roll Hall of Fame.

Shawn Powell, who has helped organize Wellman?s July 4 celebration for a few decades, said the street dance?s venue has changed. The town has usually shut down Main Street and held the dance there. The dance was usually the Saturday before July 4.

Wednesday begins bright and early with a 5K ?Freedom Run? through the town at 8 a.m. The race begins at the north end of Main Street. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.  Next up is the Kiddie Parade at 9:30 a.m. with registration at city hall at 9 a.m. Registration for the main parade starts at 8:30 a.m. at the south end of Main Street. The parade itself is at 10 a.m. The parade typically has 125 entries.

Hoddy Allen is the grand marshal of the parade. Allen is a World War II veteran and plans to travel on an honor flight to Washington, D.C., this fall.

?He has been in business here for 60 years and he does a lot to educate our town about veterans,? Powell said.

The Wellman Fire Department will show off its vehicles and equipment on Main Street at 11:30 a.m.

The other events are in North Park and they are:

1 p.m. ? Lone Tree Garden Tractor Pullers at the West End of the Wellman Rotary Soccer Fields

1 p.m. ? Horseshoe throwing tournament north of Catholic Church

1-6 p.m. ? Babe Ruth semifinal and final tournament games

1-7 p.m. ? Bingo in the main shelter

1-7 p.m. ? Food vendors

1-7 p.m. ? Barrel rides

2-4 p.m. ? Water Wars at the tennis courts

2-6 p.m. ? Free pony rides

2-6 p.m. ? Art in the park

6:30-9:35 p.m. ? ?Free Ride? performs at the bandshell. Performing artists include Shawn Powell, Aaron Powell, Tony Stutzman, Jaron Stutzman, Gil Perez, Craig McClenahan, Tony Wild, Charlie Stone, Moriah Powell and Tanner McClenahan.

9:35 p.m. ? Fireworks