Region ready for explosive Fourth
Pioneer Village among many hosting holiday eventsWORTHINGTON — This Fourth of July marks the 25th annual melodrama during the Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration at Pioneer Village.
- Annual melodrama
WORTHINGTON — This Fourth of July marks the 25th annual melodrama during the Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration at Pioneer Village. This year’s theatrical presentation, titled “The Conestoga Conman,” was created by Linda Neugebauer, a teacher and speech coach at Worthington High School.
“I wrote and directed it, so I guess I’ll take the blame if it doesn’t go over well,” Neugebauer said with a laugh.
Actors include Daniel Anderson, Caleb Dirksen, Lexy Teerink, Jackie Martin, Erin Pomranke, Kyle Fleming and Katie Fleming.
“It’s thrilling, goofy and fun for all,” Neugebauer said.
The melodrama will be performed at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. in the Big Barn at Pioneer Village.
Pioneer Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the celebration will also include a capella music by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 10:15 a.m. in the small church; heritage displays and demonstrations; food stands operated by the Nobles County Historical Society Board of Directors; and root beer floats and other desserts served by Grassroots Theatre Company.
The Prairie Reapers 26th annual Power Reunion, featuring a large display of machinery, is also part of the Pioneer Village festivities with a tractor pull at 11 a.m. and tractor parade at 1 p.m. This year’s featured tractor is John Deere, but all makes are welcome.
An admission fee is charged for Pioneer Village; children 15 and younger are free.
Worthington’s celebration of Independence Day will also feature a concert by the “Amazing” Worthington City Band at 7:30 p.m. in Chautauqua Park and fireworks at dusk over Lake Okabena.
Other Fourth of July events in the area include:
CURRIE: The Currie Town and Country Fourth of July Celebration begins today and continues through Wednesday. Today and Sunday there will be an annual softball tournament. On Tuesday, there will be a street dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with a picnic and membership drive from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Other Wednesday activities include a volleyball tournament, Duck Races, bean bag tournament, and fireworks at dusk.
A waffle breakfast is planned for 10 a.m. July 7.
GREAT IOWA LAKES: Fireworks displays will begin at 10 p.m. Tuesday over Big Spirit Lake; and 10 p.m. Wednesday over West Lake Okoboji.
HERON LAKE: The Heron Lake Fire Department and Ambulance will have a summer pork cookout from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Heron Lake Community Center. Pork loin chop or bratwurst, potato salad, baked beans, chips and drink will be served. Lucky Duck Races will be at 7:30 p.m. in the city park. A street dance is also planned.
LEOTA: The community of Leota has celebrated the Fourth of July since 1894, starting out as a mission festival. This year, organizers voted to discontinue the festival, according to resident Evie Lubben, citing an aging population and the cost of fireworks as reasons for the decision.
OKABENA: The Okabena Fourth of July celebration will begin with activities in the park at 11 a.m. Signup for the Kiddie Pedal Pull begins at noon in the park. The Kiddie Parade is set for 2:15 p.m., with the Patriotic Parade at 2:30 p.m. Other events include a patriotic program, 4 p.m., American Legion; slowest tractor contest, 5 p.m., Main Street; bingo, 5:30 p.m., American Legion; variety show, 6:30 p.m., school gym; Kraft Variety Show, 7 p.m., city park. Fireworks will cap off the day at 10 p.m., followed by raffle drawings.
Okabena will also host an antique tractor pull on July 7.
SHELDON, Iowa: Village Northwest’s Independence Day Celebration is slated for Tuesday. It will include a food court, entertainment, fire truck rides, carnival booths, a petting zoo, kiddie train rides, water wars and a Ferris wheel. Starting at 6 p.m., the Village will host a qualifying event for the Bill Riley Talent Search Contest. Winners in each category will advance to the contest at the Iowa State Fair. A large fireworks display is planned at dusk.
WILMONT: An Independence Eve Dance featuring Starfire will be from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesday at the Wilmont Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall. Reduced-price tickets are available in advance by calling Audrey Brake at 472-8267.
Tags: pioneer village, heron lake, news, worthington, okabena, currie, leota, wilmont, sheldon
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