July 4 events begin July 3

MARENGO — As always, the City of Marengo jumps the gun on Independence Day, hosting its annual celebration July 3.

Belle Plaine will also begin celebrating early, with entertainment, raffles and a car show the night before.

“Marengo always does their stuff on the third,” said Marengo Community Development Director Marissa Brawl. “We usually get quite a few more people, just because they came from other towns.”

The day begins with a 5K run and walk which begins at Marengo City Hall at 7:30 a.m.

A car show begins at 8 a.m. “It’s usually very well attended,” said Brawl. People start showing up about 7 a.m., and the show runs well into the afternoon. Judging takes place about 2 p.m.

Friends of Marengo Public Library will create a jail escape room in the Iowa Valley Elementary School gymnasium. Preregistration is required with Friends of the Marengo Public Library. Times run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Horseshoes begins on the northeast side of the square about 10 a.m. and food vendors show up about 11 a.m. and serve until nearly 9 p.m.

Children’s activities start at 1 p.m. A rock wall, a dunk tank, an obstacle course, a slide and foam cannon will entertain the younger set.

They can also register for a pedal pull at 1 a.m.

“Everything’s at the park,” said Brawl. Events trickle down to the elementary school a block away.

A bags tournament begins at noon. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. on Washington Street on the square.

Little Miss and Mister contestants can register at 1:30 p.m. at the bandstand. The contest will begin at 2 p.m.

Leanne’s School of Dance will perform at 2:45 p.m. at the bandstand.

The annual July 3 parade will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Boot Jack Band will play from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the bandstand.

Rolle Bolle begins at 7 p.m. on the northeast side of the square.

“And then there’s fireworks at dusk,” said Brawl. “Those are set off from Gateway Park, but most people end up sitting in the field between the elementary school and the football field,” she said.

Anyone who isn’t finished celebrating by that time can head over to the new American Legion Hall on Court Avenue by Gateway Park for music by Dogs on Skis from 9 p.m. to midnight. The entry fee is $10, and people can watch the fireworks from there.

“It’s a fun day,” said Brawl. “We like that we do it on the third,” she said. That way people are free to do their own thing July 4.

Belle Plaine

In Belle Plaine, the Lions Club takes care of July 4 festivities, said Lauren Ehlen, a Lions Club member. Belle Plaine Community Development helps with the celebration, providing volunteers.

The night before Independence Day, A car show will set up in Franklin Park from 4-8 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 7:30 p.m.

Chicken Chip Bingo will take place from 4-7 p.m. A bags tournament with cash prizes will run from 5-8 p.m., and Cheshire Moon Farms sponsors a petting zoo from 4-7 p.m.

On July 4, an Independence Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Afterward, visitors can enjoy Midway games and rides at Franklin Park, said Ehlen.

Spotlight Studios will perform, and a petting zoo and caricature drawings are available this year, said Ehlen.

“There’s also going to be a tug of war competition,” Ehlen said.

“We’ll still have our live music,” said Ehlen. Beau Timmerman will perform from noon to 3 p.m.

The music club will host Bingo, and a raffle and 50/50 raffle will be offered in the beer tent.

Fireworks begin at dusk.

The Lions Club hosts fundraising events during the year to pay for the event. “Our pancake breakfast is a good one,” Ehlen said.

The Club collects donations from local businesses for raffle price.

Ehlen expects a good crowd. “Usually it’s very well attended,” said Ehlen. “It usually depends on the weather.”

Williamsburg

The Williamsburg Kiwanis Club kicks off the Fourth of July at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the fire station. The city is offering free admission to the Aquatic Center from noon to 3 p.m., and Just Automotive is sponsoring children’s activities from noon to 4 p.m.

Organizers have pushed the parade back to 5 p.m., making it closer to the time of the fireworks display.

Williamsburg has limited events on the holiday. Getting volunteers is difficult, said Erin Eichhorn, director of the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce.

“They have family and friends they do things with,” Eichhorn said.

Fireworks begin at dusk at the Recreation Center ball fields.

Amana

The Amana Colonies will host a picnic buffet and activities in the Middle Amana Park July 4. Fireworks will be launched over Lily Lake at dusk.