America was established 243 years ago today with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To celebrate Americans will take part in annual traditions and activities including multiple chances to enjoy annual fireworks displays. Cities throughout Marion County will hold different activities as well with Knoxville, Pleasantville and Bussey all having fireworks displays tonight.
Knoxville will hold their fireworks display at Youngs Park this year a change from previous years as the thought is to have the display closer to the heart of the city, according to Knoxville Mayor Brian Hatch. Knoxville will also see multiple events throughout the day as part of Thrive Knoxville’s 4th of July on the Square celebration including free live music at the courthouse bandstand from 10am to 2 pm featuring the Kreskats, Justin Kraber, Tyler and Nathan Ryamie, Brianna Norman, Carla Bauer and Sons and Kailan Ethell. Fireworks displays can also be seen in Pleasantville and Bussey with activities throughout the day in each town as well. For a list of Independence Day activities in Knoxville, Pleasantville and Bussey scroll down.
Knoxville 4th of July Events:
Flag Raising at 7:45 am
KPD Freedom 5k Run/Walk at 8 am
Pancake breakfast at the fire station 8 to 10 am
Yoga on the Lawn with Cairn Yoga at 8:45 am
Bike Parade (Meet @ City Hall) at 9:30
Live Music on the Square from 10 am to 2 pm
Sally Ann Homemade Ice Cream from 10 am to 2 pm
Games, Face painting 10am to 2 pm
Dodgeball Tournament @ Memorial Hall at 11am
Best Burger Contest @ Peace Tree at 11 am
Bags Tournament @ Peace Tree at 11 am
Rotary Lunch @ 11 am
Knoxville Raceway Events:
Peace Tree Beer Garden & Iowa Beer Bus open from 6 to 10 pm
Kids Zone open from 6 to 8 pm
Driver Autograph Session at 7 pm
CTRL+C Concert at 8 pm
Fireworks at Youngs Park at 9:45 pm
Pleasantville 4th of July Events:
Breakfast – Masonic Lodge from 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Flag Raising – American Legion (Memorial Hall) From 8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Parade Line-up (Pleasantville Middle School Parking lot) at 10:00 a.m.
Parade at 11:00 a.m.
Lunch (Methodist Church Family Living Center) from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Star Spangled Squad (Pleasantville High School Gym) from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Live Music – Joe Inman & Company at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Michelle Greene – Iowa Realty
Fireworks (Cora Shadle Memorial Park) at Dusk (approx. 9:30 p.m.)
Bussey:
Thursday, July 4th 7am-9am Bussey Methodist Church Breakfast (Free Will Offering) 9am-2pm Bussey Library Book Sale, Silent Auction @ the library. 10am Parade 11am -10 pm Smitty’s Kids Amusements (Inflatables) 11am Flag Raising by the Ford Family In Memory of Bob Ford 11am-3pm One Eye Open 3:30pm Kiddie Tractor Pull (registration @3:00pm) 6pm-10pm Cody Hicks
10pm Fireworks
Activities-, Silent Auction, Dart Board, 50/50 Raffle, Can Koozies, Craft & Product Vendors. Food Stands- Mr. Taco, Barnyard Tenderloin Xpress, Masonic Lodge, Mahaska Drug (Ice Cream & Sno Cones)