Plans are nearly finalized for Belle Plaine’s biggest celebration of the year over the coming Fourth of July weekend.
This year’s activities include many of the attractions from the past and the return of the 5K and mile running events.
The action kicks off Saturday, July 3, with the car show and cruise downtown from 4-8 p.m. Cat Campbell of KZAT-Radio will be entertaining during the show. After the cruise, a street dance, featuring the band Smooth Maneuvers will take place on Main Street from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
After the dance, put away your dancing shoes and find your running shoes in time for the BP Booster Bolt, a 5K and one-mile running event on Sunday morning, sponsored this year by the Belle Plaine Athletic Booster Club. Registration will be from 7:15-7:45 a.m. the day of the race at the high school. Advance registration or further information is available from Andy Dahlquist, 319-430-9020 or dahlae@hotmail.com
Race time is 8 a.m.
The annual parade starts Sunday at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Following the parade, the action moves to Franklin Park, beginning with the flag raising ceremony at noon.
Events during the afternoon will include a tractor pull, midway and rides, flush tank, 4-on-4 and sand volleyball tournaments, a craft show and bingo. Oscar the balloon artist will perform from noon to 3 p.m. There will be a karaoke contest from 2-4 p.m., free swimming at the new aquatics center from 1-5 p.m. and cow chip bingo at 4 p.m.
Entertainment during the day will include Cat Campbell and KZAT-Radio during the parade and from noon to 2 p.m. at the park, Class “A” Karaoke Service from 2-10 p.m., Mike Lasack and his Rhythmaires from noon to 1:30 p.m., Don Anders Trio + 1 from 2-4 p.m. and the Belle Plaine Community Pep Band from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Plenty of food and refreshments will once again be available during the afternoon. The main food booth will be staffed by members of Christ United Methodist Church. Dollars for Scholars will be selling snow cones and funnel cakes, the Gold Medal Wrestling Club will have Pizza Hut Pizza, the Rotary Club will feature Kentucky Fried Chicken and the Fourth of July Committee will man the beer tent.
The July 4th Committee is selling raffle tickets with several great prizes and a grand prize of $250 in cash. The tickets are available in advance at MidWestOne Bank, Chelsea Savings Bank, True Value, Country Foods and at the gate on July 4. The raffle winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m. on July 4, followed by a recognition of area service veterans and active duty personnel. The fireworks display, sponsored by the Belle Plaine Lions Club and described as “better than ever,” will cap off the festivities at dusk.
