Van Buren County’s America’s 250th birthday celebration spans several days and communities, with events running from Thursday, July 2nd through the Fourth of July weekend.
The festivities kick off Thursday evening at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park with the 3rd Annual Chalk the Walk. Participants will be assigned a 10-by-10-foot section of the park’s one-third-mile paved ADA trail to create original chalk artwork inspired by this year’s theme — Stars, Stripes and Sidewalk Hype. Check-in runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the campground entrance, with an awards ceremony featuring new age divisions and special judges’ awards at 8:00 p.m. The event costs $5 per participant. A limited supply of chalk will be available, though participants are encouraged to bring their own. A small concession stand will be on site, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, snacks, and drinks for an evening of creativity and community in the park.
On July 4th, Keosauqua will host a full day of festivities at the city park, with food trucks including Sweet and Saucy, Coal Haus Pizza, and Brunks on site throughout the day. The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with an all-you-can-eat Lions Club pancake and sausage breakfast through 10:00 a.m., offered at a free will donation. At 10:30 a.m., the Keosauqua Library will host the opening of a 1976 time capsule. A community art project gets underway at 2:30 p.m., followed by a free pedal pull for ages three through twelve at 3:00 p.m., with sign-up beginning at 2:30 p.m. Kids’ games follow at 4:00 p.m., with a birthday party and cake at 4:30 p.m.
Live music carries the evening, with Shannon Shepard and Mercers Crazy Train both performing from 5:00 p.m., and Steven Bankey and the Flatland Band taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks over the Des Moines River will follow at dark, with live music from Engage Keosauqua continuing at the Hotel Manning Courtyard from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m.
A bags tournament hosted by District 20 Representative Sawyer Goehring will also take place throughout the afternoon and evening, with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House through the Governor’s Charity Silver Show. Entry is $40 per two-person team, with cash prizes for the top three finishers. Sign-up begins at 4:30 p.m. The Lions Club will hold a raffle as well, with tickets available for $5 each or five for $20 and five cash prizes of $100 awarded before the fireworks.
In Farmington, a parade is scheduled at Indian Lake Park at 11:30 a.m. on July 4th, with root beer floats available for a free will donation after the parade.
