(Editor’s note: A fireworks display is scheduled at dusk on the Fourth of July at the Greene County Fairgrounds, but there are no other special holiday celebrations planned. The Scranton Journal provides the following listing of activities in Yale, a town that goes all-out for the Fourth of July.)
The Yale Community Club has planned another big celebration for Independence Day this year. Activities will run for three days with the fun beginning on Friday and continuing through Sunday.
A slow pitch softball tournament takes the field at 5 pm on Friday, runs all day Saturday and finishes on Sunday, starting at 8 am. For information, contact Renee Van Gundy at 641-431-1300.
New this year is the “Three on the Third 5K Fun Run” on Friday. Registration begins at 4 pm at the Yale city park with the race beginning at 5:30 pm. Emily Albers is in charge (641-431-0062).
Chad Elliott of Coon Rapids will entertain the crowd in the park, playing and singing his songs and other favorite hits 7 – 10 pm.
Come early and bring your lawn chair. The Guthrie County Cattlemen’s Association will serve a grilled meal, starting at 6:30 pm. Soldier Creek Winery of Fort Dodge is hosting a wine tasting from 7 – 9 that night.
The Guthrie County Fair queen will be crowned about 8 pm that evening. The lucky gal will represent the Guthrie County Fair in the Iowa State Fair queen contest in August. The early bird drawing will be conducted at 9 pm.
Saturday is the big day with activities all around town. A bicycle poker run sponsored by the Raccoon Valley Riders begins at the RRVT trail head from 7 – 9 am. For information, call 641-757-0451 or 0912. Raffle tickets and Yale Community Club Cookbooks will be sold in the Community Building 8 am – 3 pm.
The YJB TTT will serve their delicious made-to-order omelets in the Community Building 8 – 10 am. The National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes Aim Shooting Range, sponsored by Daisy, will be open from 9 – 11 am and 1 – 3 pm, located one-half block east of the fire hall.
Parade registration runs 9 – 10:30 am on the school campus. The parade begins at 11 am with judging taking place on Main Street. For information, call 641-431-0013.
Everyone loves a parade! This is the classic Chevrolet owned and driven by Bob and Kathy Van Gundy of Jamaica during the 2014 Yale Fourth of July parade. Yale organizers hope folks will bring their vehicles for the parade and then park them on Main Street for the car show that runs noon – 2 pm.
Following the parade, the Yale Community Club will serve a pork loin sandwich dinner in the Community Building. Concessions will be available at the horse arena, sponsored by the Yale Saddle Club. The annual horse show begins at noon.
Tom Smith is heading up a car show on Main Street from noon – 2 pm with assistance from Smith Tire, NAPA in Panora and Motor Parts. For information, contact Smith at 641-431-0029.
For the younger set, Twistede.com balloon artist and Crossroad Clowns can be found in the fire hall noon – 4 pm. Fun will include face painting, spin art and Sandy Candy. Panora Telco is sponsoring the kid’s pedal pull contest in front of the fire hall at 3:30 pm.
Yale Tiling is sponsoring the annual M.A.P.A. Hot Rod Garden Tractor Pull on the school campus, beginning at 1 pm.
The action in the evening moves to the ball field where raffle tickets will be sold and the prizes awarded. Drawing time is 8:30 pm with a grand prize of $500 sponsored by Hemphill and Associates and Farmers Coop. Parade winners will be announced.
Culminating the celebration is the fireworks display, sponsored by Farmers State Bank and the City of Yale. They will be set off at the ball field at dusk.
For guaranteed, comfortable seating, bring your own lawn chairs. Handicapped parking is located on the north side of the bank. No unlicensed vehicles (go carts or four-wheelers) are permitted on city streets. Registered golf carts are allowed (call 641-439-6610).
Kybos and/or rest rooms are available at the fire hall, Bell Street Market, Community Building, School House, ball field and Bike Trail Park.
For last minute information, check out www.yaleiowa.com. ~The Scranton Journal
