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Washington Evening Journal
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Celebrate Independence Day in Henry County
Choose from a variety of activities to celebrate the holiday throughout Henry County
Many Fourth of July celebrations will include parades, food, and activities throughout the country next week including those held in Henry County.
New London, Wayland and Mt. Pleasant will host parades to celebrate the patriotic holiday.
The New London parade sponsored by VFW Post 7641 will be the first in the county starting at 10 a.m. with a “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue” theme. Additionally, Quilt of Valor recipients will be honored in this year’s Independence Day parade. Those who have received Quilts of Valor and would like to ride along in the parade can reach out to the VFW.
The VFW also welcomes sports teams, youth groups, churches, politicians, business, and other individuals and groups to participate in the parade. Interested parties can pick up blank entry forms at the New London VFW or by emailing Diana Klaus at sniper2@mchsi.com
The parade will start at New London High School and travel down Main Street.
Aside from the opportunity to celebrate the holiday, participants could also win prizes. First and second place float winners will receive $50 and $25 respectively. First and second place winners in bike or kids gloats will receive $25 and $10.
Those celebrating the Fourth of July on the other side of Henry County in Wayland also will enjoy a morning parade. Line up and registration for the annual parade in Wayland will run from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Registration will be located at Main and Jefferson Streets.
Tractors will line up on Washington Street by The Bar. Horses will line up on Pearl Street by the Wayland Mennonite Church. Automobiles and floats will line up by 4-M Plumbing on Main Street. Children will line up on the corner by People’s Savings Bank on Jefferson Street.
The parade, sponsored by the Wayland Lions Club, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street, rain or shine. Tim Meyer will announce the parade and Kari Hildebrand Brown will sing the national anthem during the parade.
For those that might miss the morning parades in New London and Wayland, not all hope is lost of watching floats, tractors, and other festive parade entries pass by as they toss out candy in celebration. Mt. Pleasant’s Fourth of July Parade will begin at 5 p.m. in McMillian Park.
Parade lineup will start at 4L30 p.m. next to the carousel building. The parade itself will then travel past the Wright Pavilion and behind the grandstand.
Food is always an important part of celebrating holidays, and Wayland and Mt. Pleasant will offer a few opportunities for everyone to get their fill.
Kicking off Independence Day Festivities in Henry County Wayland Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast at the Wayland Community Center located at 218 West Main Street. The Lions Club will serve the freewill breakfast complete with all the fixings from 6:30-9:30 a.m.
The WACO basketball teams will offer a lunch option as they a serve dine in or carry out meal at WACO High School from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Each meal will include a sandwich, side, and beverage for a freewill donation.
With festivities in Mt. Pleasant beginning later in the day at McMillian Park, this just might be the right location for dinner options. SE Dance Competition Team will offer snacks at the Wright Pavilion, the Pineapple Whip food truck will sell cool treats at the park, and the Henry County Cattlemen will serve meals under the grandstand throughout the evening.
In addition to parades and food, activities to celebrate Independence Day will keep the fun going throughout Henry County.
After the 10:30 a.m. parade in Wayland, children are invited to cool off with the Wayland Fire Department as they enjoy the firefighter water games on Main Street from approximately 12-1 p.m.
Guests hitting up McMillian Park later in the evening, Thursday, July 4 will have their fair share of free activities to keep themselves busy until its time to enjoy fireworks.
Even before the 5 p.m. parade begins excitement is sure to build as the MedForce Helicopter will stop by McMillian Park landing at 4 p.m.
Following the parade, Meet Your Local Heroes event will offer a chance to check out fire trucks, take photos and visit with local firefighters, police officers, and other heroes.
Additional free activities at McMillian Park will include will include carousel rides, face painting, trolley rides, and bouncy houses from 5:30-8 p.m.
After a day full of candy, food, and activities, patriotic celebrators can unwind with their choice of fireworks displays in Wayland and Mt. Pleasant.
At dusk the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department will shoot off a fireworks display from McMillian Park. Another display will be set off at approximately the same time in Wayland by their volunteer firefighters to wrap up celebrating Independence Day in Henry County.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
