Parades, picnics and musical performances: From its large cities to its small towns, Iowa lets freedom ring as it celebrates our nation’s birthday.
June 29 to July 5: July 4th Celebration
Clear Lake
The city’s premier summer festival is a six-day event in City Park filled with carnival rides, live music, an open-air vendor market by the lake, bingo and concessions. This year celebrates “Decades of Fun” and honors the carnival’s 50th year in town. July 4 kicks off with a 5K freedom run followed by a parade down Main Street. And at 10 p.m., the skies will light up with one of the biggest and best fireworks displays in the state.
Cost: Carnival wristbands $25; other events are free.
For more information: clearlakeiowa.com/events/4th-of-july.
July 1: Independence Day
Urbandale
Step back into the 19th century at Living History Farms and enjoy a day of old-fashioned family fun, starting at 9 a.m., this Fourth of July in Iowa. Activities include a reading of the Declaration of Independence, games, a medicine show and a community band performance. At 2:45 p.m., join the holiday parade as it heads from the gazebo to the baseball field to kick off the annual Walnut Hill Bluestockings game. All events are included with general admission to the farm.
Cost: $19.
For tickets and more information: lhf.org.
July 1: Saturday in the Park
Sioux City
More than 25,000 people visit this annual free music festival that falls on the Saturday closest to Fourth of July in Iowa. Concerts begin on two stages in the afternoon, with this year’s headliners being legendary funk band Earth, Wind & Fire. A kid’s zone filled with inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo and games will keep littles ones entertained. After the final note is played, fireworks fill the sky over Grandview Park.
Cost: Free; kid’s zone is $20.
For more information: saturdayinthepark.com.
July 3: Yankee Doodle Pops
Each year, more than 100,000 Iowans gather on the West Terrace of the Capitol for the largest single-day concert event in the state. This patriotic concert begins at 6:30 p.m., and the Des Moines Symphony takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. to perform time-honored classics such as “Stars & Stripes Forever.” Special guest is American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones.
Cost: Free.
For more information: dmsymphony.org.
July 3: Fireworks and Air Show
Dubuque
What do you get when you mix airplanes and fireworks? One of the most patriotic celebrations in the Midwest. The airshow, which starts at 3 p.m. at the AY McDonald Park includes thrilling aerial maneuvers by the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C Thunderbolt II and F-22 Raptor demonstration teams. A fireworks display follows the show.
Cost: Parking is $20.
For more information: inflightusa.com.
July 3: Red, White and Boom!
Davenport and Bettendorf
In conjunction with neighboring Rock Island and Moline, Illinois — together, known as the Quad Cities — these two Mississippi River towns know how to celebrate America’s birthday. Evening events at LeClaire Park include live music, kid’s activities, food vendors and performances by the Davenport Junior Theatre. At 5 p.m., the QC River Bandits face off against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park. Afterward, head to the riverfront to see the largest display of fireworks in the Quad Cities shot from barges.
Cost: Free.
For more information: redwhiteandboomqc.org.
July 3 and July 4: Star Spangled Spectacular
Storm Lake
The tiny town of Storm Lake in the northwest corner of the state more than doubles in size as it celebrates two days of American glory. The event kicks off July 3 with a classic car cruise at 4:45 p.m. and continues through July 4 with live music, food vendors, children’s face painting, trolley rides, dancing and a one-man circus spectacular. Tuesday’s main activities are the Big Parade along Lakeside Drive at 10:30 a.m., a Patriotic Ceremony at 12:30 and fireworks at the Chautauqua Jetty at dusk.
Cost: Free.
For more information: starspangledspectacular.net.
July 3 and July 4: 4th of July Celebration
Slater
This big celebration in a small town dates to 1889. The festivities begins Monday evening in Nelson Park with a carnival, kiddie parade and live music, followed by fireworks at Grimm Park at 10 p.m. The fun continues on Tuesday with a holiday parade at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies at Nelson Park Stage at noon include the presentation of colors, recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, and a welcome by the mayor. Then it’s another day of family fun with carnival rides, beer sales and bingo, finishing with the crowning of the queen.
Cost: Free.
For more information: slateriowa.org.
July 4: Freedom Festival
Cedar Rapids
This three-week celebration American independence culminates with a day of festivities on Fourth of July in Iowa (pictured at top of page). Start the day with an 8K run, followed by a pancake breakfast and car show at the ImOn Ice Arena. At 5:30 p.m., head to the McGrath Amphitheatre for the annual Fourth of July in Iowa concert and snag a prime seat on the lawn for the fireworks, one of the largest displays in the state, which begin at dark.
Cost: Free.
For more information: freedomfestival.com.