2008 Independence Day Home Decorating Contest

Something new and exciting for the 2008 Independence Day Celebrations, a Home Decorating Contest.  The contest is free and open to single and multi-unit dwellings with a City of Independence address...a City whose name is in America's fame should have a contest like this.  Registration begins right now and you must be registered by June 20th.  Decorating will begin on June 1 and must be completed by June 27 because judging begins the next day, Saturday June 28th.  Judges will be selected from outside the City of Independence.

A rule: City Hall as stated that all displays may not extent beyond the dwelling side of the sidewalk or not less than 30 feet from the center of the street, avenue or road.

A note: Your decorations will be judged during daylight hours, so no lighted objects or support will necessarily be visible during the judging.

The contest awards a winner & runner-up in Most Attractive, Most Creative, Most Original, and Most Patriotic. Awards will be announced and presented on Friday, July 4th from Riverwalk Parks Band Shell following the Community Band and will be appropriately recognized.

Click on 'Printable Forms' for your entry form and contest rules or stop by the Chamber office, Hartig Drug, Connie's Hallmark or S & K Collectibles for your copies.

Thursday - July 3rd - Great Independence Pig Out

Riverwalk Parks

It’s a Thursday night, it’s the beginning of a three-day weekend, it’s FREE entry, come on down to Riverwalk Parks and let’s party!

Come join us from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., you bring two non-perishable foods items you will get a free 1/3 pound pork burger, four items will get two burgers or you bring a couple of bucks and you can purchase burgers. All the food and money will be donated to the Independence Area Food Pantry. We have increased our donation to the Pantry each year, 2006 was over 500 pounds, 2007 was over 700. Join us and beat the 2007 numbers!

The Championship

The 5^th Annual Pork Burger World Championship is back for another belt-bursting year! The contest is simple. Ten minutes, hungry competitors, pork burgers and $500 cash. Who ever can consume the most burgers in 10 minutes takes home the loot. Do you have the stomach to be a Champion? Each year this event draws a bigger, louder and rowdier crowd, you won’t want to miss the 2008 event! Click on the Printable Form page to find your World Championship Pork Burger Eating Contest Rules and Entry and Waiver forms.

The Challenge

New in 2007 the Pig Out Challenge Pork Burger Eating Contest was a hit. This event also supports the Independence Area Food Pantry. It is a team effort competition and it got off to a great start with five teams competing. Get your co-workers or friends, form a team of five and see how many pork burgers you can eat as a team. The Challenge will last 10 minutes with one team member at a time at the challenge table. Take that winners trophy and those bragging rights into 2008! Entry fee is five (5) non-perishable food items per team member, 25 total or $25 with application. Click on the Printable Form page to find your Entry and Individual Liability Waiver forms.

Thursday's Schedule - Riverwalk Parks

4:30 P – Great Independence Pig-Out
4:30 – 7:00 FREE Pork Burgers w/Non-perishable food donation to Food Pantry
5:00 – 7:30 Bruce & the Boys
6:15 – Pig Out Challenge Pork Burger Eating Contest
7:30 – World Championship Pork Burger Eating Contest
8:15 – Midnight The Cedar Island Band

Friday - July 4th - Independence Day

An Iowa Tradition – 148th 4th of July Parade
Folks have been lining the streets of Independence every Fourth of July since 1860. In 2008 the parade tradition continues with its theme of Extreme Makeover – Independence Edition beginning at 9:00 a.m.

And the Iowa Tradition – Riverwalk Parks

Independence’s 4^th of July Celebration has a reputation for outstanding musical performances. Throughout the day, one talented musical group after another will take the stage. From concert bands to blues and jazz there’s something for everyone—all day in the Riverwalk Parks.

Budweiser Coed Sand Volleyball Tournament

Get your team together now for the Budweiser Coed Sand Volleyball Tournment. Teams compete for the right to be called “Kings of the Sand” by the “King of Beers” and the right to take away cash, Budweiser trophy and championship Bud volleyball. Spots are limited so print and fill-out the registration form under “Downloadable Forms” and send in with your entry fee to insure a spot in the tournament on July 4th. Click on the Printable Form page to find you Coed Sand Volleyball Team Entry, Individual Waiver forms and Rules.

The FunZone

The Food

What’s a Fourth of July celebration without great All-American Food? Several food vendors are on hand to take care of any appetite. Pop, bottled water and other cold draft beverages are also available on the grounds.

The Fireworks

You cannot find better fireworks, no where, no how, than the highlight of each Independence Day Celebration high above the Wapsipinicon River. This stunning display is not a secret, we draw from across the Midwest, East and West Coast and from around the world, people schedule their 4th of July vacation around us! Once again this year’s fireworks display will be set to music and simulcast locally on Brite 95.3 radio, KQMG-FM.

Friday's Schedule - Riverwalk Parks

11:20 – Reading of the Declaration of Independence11:30 – Budweiser Coed Sand-Shootout Volleyball Tournament
11:30 – 8:00 – The FunZone
11:45 – 12:30 – Independence Community Band
1:00 P – 2:00 – Eastern Iowa Brass Band
2:30 – 3:30 – The Saints
4:00 – 6:30 – Coupe DeVille
7:00 – Midnight – Prior Avenue
10:00 - Fireworks

Saturday's Schedule July 5th - Various Locations

Great Sporting Event & Food, of course.  The Independence Day Celebration weekend is offering an assortment of activities for you to enjoy. If you like home grown food and related products or drive a golf ball or watch stock cars, Saturday will have something for you to enjoy.

8:00 A – Farmer’s Market at Mill
10:00 A – Indee Firecracker Open Golf Tournament
6:00 P – IMCA Races at the Independence Motor Speedway

Sunday's Schedule July 6th - Various Locations

This is nice relaxing way to close out a very excellent weekend, some food, some faith, a little game of chance and a movie.8:00 A – Noon – Chamber of Commerce Ham & Cheese Breakfast at Mill

9:30 A – Ecumenical Church Service at Veteran’s Park
Noon – Band Booster’s Duck Race
8:30 P – Friends of Library Patriotic Movie at Riverwalk Parks – Bandshell (see www.indylibrary.org for details or call 319-334-2470)