Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Brooklyn makes plans for 175-year celebration
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
BROOKLYN — Brooklyn turns 175 this year, and the town is planning a big celebration.
The theme of this year’s Flag Festival and birthday celebration, set for June 12-15, is “Building On Our Past, Looking To Our Future.”
The event will feature a large parade, 5K race, chicken dinner, racing action at Brooklyn Speedway, inflatables, vendor show, bags tournament, pedal pull, car show, live bands and more.
“We been working on this for two years,” said Tyler Geiger, a member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the planning committee. “Most of the events are free, and for those that are not, there is a small fee.”
Geiger said that planning is going well, but some events have not been finalized.
“We are very excited to add numerous other activities, such as a local talent show, little miss and mister contest, a historical play about Brooklyn, a beard and mustache contest and more live music,” noted Geiger.
“We are also reaching out to several public figures to speak at a flag raising and rededication of the Avenue of Flags immediately following the parade on Saturday.”
The event committee recently announced that the event concert Saturday night will be held at the Southside Ball Diamond and will feature two acts — The Pork Tornadoes, with special guests Tyler Richton, and the High Bank Boys.
“The Pork Tornadoes play a large collection of new and old cover songs with selections from all genres,” said Geiger, who is the lead singer for the High Bank Boys.
“The high energy ‘beard pop band’ is one of the most acclaimed acts in the Midwest and are sure to entertain all ages.”
General admission tickets for the concert are available online now for only $10 and will go up to $15 at the gate the day of the show.
Physical tickets will be available at select Brooklyn businesses in the near future. The concert gets underway at 7 p.m.
Visit the Brooklyn, Iowa Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for more information and to purchase tickets.
Brooklyn Theatre historical play
Josh Gerard, the Brooklyn Librarian, pastor of the New Beginnings Church and local playwright, is putting the finishing touches on a community play, “175 Years of Brooklyn,” about the town’s 175-year history.
The play will be performed June 13, 14 and 15 at the Brooklyn Opera House.
Using a large local cast, the play will center around such historical happenings as the town stoplight controversy, downtown fires, the railroad, John Wayne and Christian Schone, a Brooklyn blacksmith who is credited with the invention of barbwire using horseshoe nails and twisted wires.
Play auditions are March 25 and 27 at the opera house at 7 p.m. There are plenty of parts, and all ages six and up are welcome to try out.
“If you're gonna audition for one play this year that's about the history of Brooklyn retold in a comedic fashion, make it this one,” noted Gerard.
More information about the Brooklyn celebration and Flag Festival events will be released as plans are finalized.
