Fontanelle will be the place to be July 3 and 4 when the town hosts its traditional Fourth of July Celebration.
The fun begins Tuesday, July 3, with the annual Slab Supper, sponsored by FNB Bank. Proceeds go to the Fontanelle Enterprise Club to fund civic activities and maintain the skating slab. The Slab Supper will be held under the Big Tent on the Square. Cost of the meal is a free will donation for a menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, pork loin, pasta salad, watermelon, chips and baked beans. Donations of pies and desserts are welcome and can be dropped off at the Fontanelle Community Center the afternoon of July 3. No soft pies that require refrigeration, please. To help with serving, contact Dianna 641-745-5589 or Miranda 641-221-0196.
The evening will also mark the opening of the Slab season, with skating starting at 7 p.m. Other activities for the night include a Find Your Hero Scavenger Hunt at the Fontanelle Public Library, sponsored by the Friends of the Fontanelle Public Library, and a Wreckers or Checkers Bar beer garden, with stage entertainment by Ted Stockton, sponsored by Union State Bank.
A bags tournament begins at 7 p.m. with registration at 6:30. Registration is $20 per team and the contest carries a 100 percent payout. Contact Nikki 641-745-0406, Jodie 641-745-5676, or Miranda 641-221-0196 for more information.
July 4
Wednesday, July 4, begins with the Adair County Historical Society Tractor Ride. Riders will leave from the Adair County Heritage Center in Greenfield and finish with the Fontanelle parade. Call the Adair County Historical Museum 641-743-2232 for more details.
Mass in the Park with Father James begins at 9 a.m., with rolls and juice provided by St. John’s Catholic Church. Parade entries will begin lining up at 9:30.
The parade, a grand Fontanelle tradition, begins at 11 a.m. sharp with the theme “Freedom for Heroes.” Parade Grand Marshal is Ray Stewart, marking 50 years with Fontanelle Fire and Rescue. Throughout his years of dedicated volunteer service, Stewart has been an integral part of the department’s leadership and instrumental in its ongoing modernization.
Food and other concessions open immediately after the parade on the Fontanelle Square. The Fontanelle Fire Department, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Luther League, Summerset Citizens 4-H Club and Adair County Fair Board will be offering food items, as will professional vendors. The Fontanelle Methodist Church Women will host an ice cream social as long as the ice cream lasts.
Kids games will start at the same time, provided by The B-F and Little Lambs preschools. There will be face painting sponsored by Union State Bank, and the Fontanelle and Greenfield Lions will be on hand with a bounce house, train rides, miniature golf and various food concessions, including the lemonade that always hits the spot during a hot, summer celebration.
Ag Adventure begins at 12:30 on the Southwest corner of the Square, along with Bounce Bubble Balls behind Fontanelle Drug, sponsored by Mag 1 Automotive. Ag Adventure is sponsored by Ag 4 All with support from Adair County Farm Bureau, Adair County Corn Growers Association, Adair County Cattlemen, Empowering Adair County Foundation, Adair County Pork Producers and Adair County ISU Extension and Outreach; AgriCAREERS, Inc., AMVC, Cargill Kitchen Solutions, 21st Century Co-op, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Union State Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services - Connie Hohertz, Agent, AgriVision, Anita Vet Clinic, Carstens Ag and Tiling, FNB Bank, Mark Venteicher Seeds, Merrill and Carole Neary and Southwest Iowa Egg.
The historic Bandstand stage opens at 1 p.m. with Black Dirt Conspiracy, sponsored by Union State Bank, playing until 3 p.m. The band is fronted by Fontanelle native Chad Stutzman. Bring your lawn chairs and prepare to be entertained.
The Kiddie Tractor Pull starts at 1 p.m. on the east side of the Square, sponsored by Cummins Construction, Co., followed by Hero Games sponsored by Feick’s Plumbing. Hero Games include an egg rolling contest, frog hopping contest, and the traditional foot races. You can bring your own frog to strut its stuff, or you can use one provided for you. Call Miranda at 641-221-0196.
The Greenfield Fire Department will hold amateur water fights at 2 p.m., and there will be 5-gallon bucket races on the northwest corner of the Square, sponsored by Bridgewater Tires & More. The bucket race is for 10- to 16-year-olds. The race requires a two-man crew; buckets must be suitable for seating, have wheels and NO motors. Call Dianna at 641-745-5589. Registration is at 1:30 p.m.
At 3 p.m. there will be a watermelon seed-spitting contest and a pie-eating contest under the FNB Bank Tent. Registration is at 2:30 p.m. Pre-register with Mary at 641-745-7300 before July 1 to pick your pie.
A Fontanelle favorite returns to the Bandstand Stage at 3:15 with the Mr. & Mrs. Fontanelle Contest, sponsored by Underground Specialty, LLC. Registration is at 2:30 p.m. Contact Dianna at 641-745-5589, Miranda at 641-221-0196 or Mary at 641-745-7300 for details or to pre-register.
Another celebration favorite hits the east side of the Square at 3:30 with Bed Races, sponsored by Adair County Health System. Beds must have wheels and NO motors, with an enthusiastic five-man crew. Cash prizes will be given for first and second place and most creative. Registration is at 2:30 p.m. Call Mary at 641-745-7300.
The Slab is the place to be for the Dodgeball Tournament at 4 p.m., sponsored by Shopko. All ages are welcome, with brackets determined by age. Teams consist of eight players, at least three must be female. Cash prizes include creativity. Registration is at 3:30 p.m. Call Dianna at 641-745-5589.
The Wreckers or Checkers Bar beer garden reopens at 4 p.m. with Just Jammin’ Band taking the stage.
Fireworks, sponsored by the City of Fontanelle, City of Greenfield, and City of Massena begin at dark, around 10 p.m. The entire celebration is funded in part by Empowering Adair County Foundation.
The Fontanelle Celebration is hosted by the Fontanelle Enterprise Club.
Sponsors include Empowering Adair County Foundation, FNB Bank, Union State Bank, Shopko, Adair County Health System, Underground Specialty, LLC, Mag I Automotive, LLC, Bridgewater Tires & More, Feick's Plumbing, Cummins Construction Co. Inc., Schildberg Construction Co., Inc., Wreckers or Checkers Bar, Country Blooms Landscaping and Lawncare, The Fontanelle Observer, Jensen Family Chiropractic, Fontanelle Drug, Baier Auction Co. – Tim-Joni-Kolby, Farmers Lumber Company, Clint Hight, P.C., Don Carlos Insurance Agency, Inc., Don Carlos Realty, Steen Funeral Homes – Todd & Lisa Lamb, Wallace Auto Supply & Greenfield True Value, Schultz Plumbing & Heating.