The flag raising ceremony, complements of the local American Legion post and
scout troop, signaled the official start of the afternoon festivities.
By Jeff Orvis
My favorite ball park in the whole world is Wrigley Field. If there was ever a baseball cathedral, that would be it. I have been fortunate to see a few games there over the years and only once, when I drove into Chicago by myself from Davenport, was the game rained out.
As much as I love Wrigley, I’ve become a fan of the new parks that have retractable roofs. To my way of thinking, it presents the best of both worlds. On great weather days, they open the roof and the game is played as it was invented. When Arizona temperatures reach the triple digits or rain falls in Milwaukee, they close the roof, crank up the air conditioning and those who have traveled all day to get to the ball park will not go home disappointed.
But this piece is not about baseball parks. I was thinking about those modern stadiums on 
July 4th as I attended some of the wonderful activities we had in our great city. The weather was questionable all day and I began wishing there was some way we could put a retractable dome over the entire town so the activities wouldn’t be canceled due to rain.
As it turned out, there were a few showers during the day, but most of the activities went ahead as planned. And many people decided they didn’t want to be sidelined by a little rain. The crowd that lined the parade route Sunday morning was awesome! Later in the day, even with low-hanging clouds, Franklin Park was a beehive of activity. One of the annual highlights of the day was the spectacular fireworks display. Again, rain threatened to wash out that show. But hundreds of people turned out to watch at the park and at various parking spots near the park and the show went off without delay.
Most of us who have attended the local celebration over the years have a few favorite activities we don’t want to miss each year. But if you ever want to fully experience what is offered, vow to try something new each year. The number of things to see and do is almost staggering, from a hole-in-one contest to a 5K and mile run, car show, street dance, parade, various food stands in the park, carnival rides and games for the youngsters, swimming, basketball, volleyball, bingo, music, craft show, tractor pull, fireworks…not bad for a town of under 3,000 population.
Maybe I noticed all the activities offered more this year because it may be the last time I experience a Belle Plaine Fourth of July celebration. A pending change in careers will likely take me away from this city. Over the years, working first in Independence and then here, I’ve realized that the Fourth of July is a work day. There’s a camera in my hand most of the day. But my working involvement with the holiday includes writing a story or two before the weekend, covering various events that day, then editing pictures the days following.
But for those who plan this celebration, there are hundreds of hours of work before, during and after the celebration. I wonder if anyone has taken the time to add up all of the man-hours it takes to put on our annual celebration, including the organizers, the volunteers who work at the various booths and other venues, the fireworks crew, performers and many others.
If this wonderful celebration is to continue, it is vital that others step up and volunteer to help. While the folks who have worked on this day for several years undoubtedly love it, I’m sure there comes a time when anyone would wish to be able to do something with their own families and friends that day. So if you liked all the choices of things to do here in town last weekend, the best way to show your appreciation is to volunteer to help next year.
Meanwhile, if you sell a software company for a few billion dollars and wonder what to do with your sudden wealth, contact our city leaders about that retractable dome over the city.
While Vernon Blomme grilled and Bruce Gapstur assisted, the Rev. Jim Campbell
implored the crowd to try a “blessed burger.” Christ United Methodist Church was
in charge of the main food booth this year.
