4th of July Festivities in the Corridor

Break out your red, white & blue–it’s time to celebrate the land of the free! Independence day has always been a holiday that I cherish, not only for it’s obvious significance, but also for it’s promise of festive summer fun! This is an exceptionally fun holiday for kids and parents to enjoy together, and there are plenty of celebratory events in the Iowa City area to make it memorable this year. Here’s a round-up of what’s going on this 4th of July…

4th

Area Festivals

4th Fest

What: The multi-day festival includes a 5K run / walk, entertainment, food, free concerts, a daily carnival, the area’s largest Independence Day parade, and fireworks.
Where: S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 7th Street, Coralville
When:  Friday July 1-Monday July 4, 2016
Highlights: Free Concert on Sunday July 3 (The Sidewinders at 6:30pm and Oak Ridge Boys at 8pm) and a parade on July 4th at 10:00am!

Freedom Fest

What: This is a 2-week festival with over 70 events taking place, leading up to the grand finale on the 4th of July, featuring the largest fireworks show in Iowa! Freedom Festival events and activities provide a broad array of entertainment and educational opportunities geared towards families.
Where: Cedar Rapids
When: June 20 – July 4, 2016
Highlights: There are a ton of great events taking place throughout the week for Freedom Festival! This includes a parade on Saturday, July 2 at 10:00am, BBQ Roundup, a car show, and lots of concerts and kids activities. See the complete schedule here.

Tipton 4th of July Celebration

What: Small town family fun just a hop and a skip from Iowa City!
When: Monday, July 4, 2016
Where: Tipton City Park
Highlights: Enjoy a festive parade at 10am followed by food vendors, live music and performances, bounce houses, face painting, and crafts in the park. Also enjoy free swimming at the local pool from 1-4pm and fireworks at dusk.

Shiloh’s Independence Day Celebration

What: Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of family festivities and end the night with fireworks over the amphitheater!
When: Sunday, July 3rd
Where: Shiloh Amphitheater in Kalona
Highlights: Head to Kalona for food, music, family activities from 4:00-8:30pm, and fireworks starting at 9pm (doors close at 8:45pm). Admission is $5/car.

Iowa City Jazz Festival

What: Come down for a three-day weekend of live Jazz performances, delicious dishes, and cap off the weekend with a full blown fireworks display over the University of Iowa’s Pentacrest lawn.
When: Friday July 1- Sunday July 3, 2016
Where: Downtown Iowa City
Highlights: The Iowa City Jazz Festival not only offers a variety of fantastic jazz music on 4 stages (including the Youth Stage), but there are other fun things to do, too! There are free and minimal charge activities for the kids, including a variety of crafts, games and activities.

Wellman 4th of July Celebration

What: Small-town tradition for many years including parade, fireworks, and all day events.
When: Monday, July 4th
Where: Wellman, Iowa
Highlights: The day starts off with a kiddies’ parade at 9:30 am on Main Street followed by the main parade at 10:00. Following the parade various events are held in the community, including pie-throwing contests, bingo, sand volleyball tournaments, basketball tournaments, prairie life projects for children, dunk-tank, children’s carnival games, live pony rides, and lots of good food to eat. Ending with fireworks at dusk.

2015-07-04 13.27.20

Area Fireworks

Sunday, July 3rd

  • Shiloh Amphitheater in Kalona
    Outdoor bench seating available, doors close at 8:45pm, $5/car. Show starts at 9:00pm.
  • Iowa City Jazz Festival – Pentacrest lawn
    Fireworks start at 9:30pm
  • Anamosa Fireworks
    Downing Field (1298 Walworth Ave. ) in Anamosa at 8:30pm

Monday, July 4th

  • 4th Fest – S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville
    Between 7th and 8th Streets starting at dusk.
  • Freedom Fest – downtown Cedar Rapids
    The fireworks will be shot from downtown Cedar Rapids near the 1st Ave bridge starting at dusk.
  • Lake McBride – Solon, Iowa
    A festive boat parade will start at south arm of the causeway with a 4 p.m. line up. The public is invited to attend by the beach. Fireworks at dusk over the lake.
  • Wellman, Iowa
    Fireworks at North Park starting at dusk.
  • Tipton, Iowa
    Fireworks at Tipton City Park starting at dusk.
  • Hills, Iowa
    Parade at 4pm, fireworks at dusk.
Did we miss something? Please feel free to share other area events in the comments below!

 

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Jessi
Jessi is a creative, organized and enthusiastic girl mom with a soft spot for country music and all that it entails. She's a single mom to two sassy little girls (born in 2014 & 2018). She's putting down roots in West Branch, Iowa, just a few miles from her hometown of West Liberty. Jessi works in fundraising, event coordination and community development and enjoys hiking, crafts, bargain hunting, party planning, and taking in the simple joys of life. She is admittedly addicted to funny memes, is passionate about philanthropy, and is completely smitten by the adventure of motherhood.

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