Stars and Stripes fun and fireworks July 5-6
By Shelia Tomkins
Guttenberg invites everyone to celebrate the nation's birthday at its popular annual Stars and Stripes celebration to be held this Friday and Saturday, July 5-6. A fun line-up of family activities has been planned by the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce. This year's theme is "Blast to the Past."
Due to rising water on the Mississippi River, this year's fireworks will be moved to north of the Clayton Ridge football field near Marina Road. Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce Director Brandie Tomkins announced the change last week. In previous years, the fireworks were launched from a barge in the Mississippi River across from Ingleside Park.
Friday evening
The weekend will kick off on Friday evening, July 5, at the weekly River of Music concert in Ingleside Park, featuring music by "Triple Threat" from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday morning
The weekly Farmers Market will have extended hours that day, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the 400 block of South River Park Drive.
The Firecracker Classic 5K Walk/Run and Little Sparklers Kids Fun Run will take place that morning starting in Ingleside Park north of the school. Registration opens at 8 a.m. (pre-registration was required to guarantee a shirt). The kids run begins at 8:45 a.m. and the men's and women's 5K begins at 9 a.m.
A bike rodeo is set for 10 a.m. in the 100 block of North River Park Drive, sponsored by the Guttenberg Police Department. Rivertown Family Dentistry will host a free bike decorating station for youngsters who want to enter the parade.
Afternoon activities
Afternoon events begin at 3 p.m. in Ingleside Park north of the school and will feature food, music, inflatables and other fun family activities.
Celebrate the holiday with summer treats from a variety of food vendors, including ice cream, cotton candy, kettle corn, snow cones, fried fish, cheese curds, barbecue and much more.
There will be DJ entertainment all afternoon and evening in the park, as well as beverages for adults. Olive or Twist Mobile Bar will be serving drinks.
A bean bag tournament, sponsored by Alpine Communications, will begin at 3 p.m. The entry fee is $20 per team, and prizes will be awarded.
Don't miss the watermelon eating contest at 4 p.m. that is open to all ages. It will be located near the bingo tent, and is sponsored by Esser's Shoe and Clothing and Bender’s Foods.
Activities for youngsters will include giant inflatables, face painting, bingo and ring toss.
Evening activities
Enjoy the evening parade that begins at 7 p.m. Participants should line up at 6 p.m. behind Meuser Lumber Co., and the parade route will travel north from there on River Park Drive, ending at Main Street near the Veterans Memorial. Parade categories are: business, organizations, family floats, tractor/car/truck, and kids/pets.
Following the parade, the award-winning Clayton Ridge Drill Team will perform in front of the Veterans Memorial. The Star Power Dance Team will follow their performance.
Fireworks change
The day will conclude with the traditional fireworks show at dusk and will be shot off at the new location north of the Clayton Ridge football field.
Those with questions can contact the Guttenberg Chamber office at 252-2323.
