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2023 marks the 75th annual 4th of July celebration put on by the 10,000 Crestonians. With events starting Friday, June 30 and running through Tuesday, July 4, there are a large variety of activities for all ages.
Check out the special Independence Day insert in today’s paper for a look at how Creston has celebrated the holiday in the past.
A few areas will be open throughout the week. The Creston Arts Gallery, located inside the Restored Depot, will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Historical Village, found at McKinley Park, will be open to visitors from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.
Creston Arts will be working to “chalk the town” all weekend. Look out for murals around town created by a variety of volunteer artists.
Friday, June 30 kicks off the festivities in the morning with a Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast, running from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the mealsite in the Restored Depot.
Later in the evening, Creston service clubs Kiwanis, Lion’s and Rotary will come together to host The Big Barbeque Bash. Food will be served at McKinley Park from 4 to 8 p.m., with tickets costing $8.
This week’s Fridays After Five will be hosted at McKinley Park, with musician Jake Kemble playing, starting at 5:08 p.m. The business sponsors are Creston Vision Clinic and Kilgore’s, and the non-profit benefiting is Creston Rotary.
KSIB will also be hosting their annual Cruise Night Car Show at McKinley Park, running from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be participant voting for best of show.
Saturday, July 1 starts off with the Greater 8 and 5K Run/Walk, which benefits the High Lakes Trails. Packet pickup is on Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. at 301 W. Montgomery St. and 6:45 a.m. at McKinley Park. The 8 mile race starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8 a.m. from McKinley Park, with the Kids’ Fun Run starting around 8:45 a.m.
The tractor show parade will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the first Pickleball ABCs and Open Play will run from 10 a.m. to noon and a cornhole tournament will start at 1 p.m., all hosted at McKinley Park.
Party in the Park will officially start at 6 p.m. in McKinley Park, with sound check starting at 5 p.m. Musicians playing include Dustin Baird, Mike Walsh, Ridin’ Shotgun and Garret and the Relics. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. You must be 16 or older to enter.
Harvey’s Chicken Inn will also be hosting live music and a dance, running from 6 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, July 2 will hold the Sand Volleyball Tournament, starting at 11 a.m. The tournament will take place at Taylor Park.
Monday, July 3 will be the first day of the Friends of the Library’s Scholastic Book Fair. The book fair will be open from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the mealsite in the Restored Depot. The Elk’s Lodge will host a dance from 8:30 p.m. until midnight.
Tuesday, July 4 will host the most events. The flea market will be open uptown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The book sale will continue, open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Caboose on Adams Street will be open from 9 a.m. to noon, and the model railroaders will be sharing their pieces in the Restored Depot from 9 a.m. to noon.
The 10,000 Crestonians 4th of July Parade will go through uptown, starting at 10 a.m., with an Elks cookout and beer garden immediately following.
The Lion’s Club will host bingo at McKinley Park from 1 to 9 p.m. Creston’s Boy Scouts will host their canoe races from 2 to 4 p.m. at McKinley Park, with a Boy Scouts and VFW flag retirement ceremony following at 5:30 p.m.
Later in the night, the Bill Riley and Creston Talent Show will start at 6:30 p.m. at the bandshell in McKinley Park. The firework display, created by Top Notch Fireworks, will start at McKinley Park at 9:30 p.m.