MARSHALL - They'll be counting down to a big bang during 4th of July celebrations in Marshall this week. But that's not all, organizers say. The variety of events has grown.
Marshall's Independence Day celebration and Festival of Kites will be held in Independence Park starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Activities for kids and families will be held throughout the afternoon and evening, topping off with a fireworks display at 10:15 p.m.
"I think we've got a little bit of everything for everyone," said Doug Goodmund, assistant director of community services in Marshall. Organizers are hoping for a good turnout, he said. With the 4th falling in the middle of the week, the activities and fireworks display won't have to compete with people's weekend travel plans.
As in past years, community sponsors and volunteers have been key in supporting and organizing the July 4 festivities, Goodmund said. In addition to sponsors like Hy-Vee and Bremer Bank, members of the Marshall Area Kiwanis have also volunteered to add activities and vendors to the event.
"That's great, because it's good to have organizations involved," Goodmund said.
"As a newly chartered organization, one of the things we looked at was different community projects we could do," said Ben Martig, president of the Marshall Area Kiwanis group. One of the projects group members decided on was helping out with the Festival. "And we wanted to help grow it a little bit in the future."
Fact Box
Schedule
4 p.m. - Food vendors open for business, including Krog's Popular Fair Food, Cold Stone Creamery, and Kiwanis beverage booth
4 p.m. - Musical entertainment by Marshall Radio DJ Sound Machine
4:30 p.m. - Kiwanis Clubhouse with free kite flying, Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty, and public safety vehicles on display.
5 p.m. - Los Mensajeros Mariachi Band
5-7 p.m. - Kids' activities, including duck pond, water balloon toss contest, sidewalk chalk art challenge and more
7:15 p.m. - Marshall Yellow Ribbon Committee patriotic update
7:30p.m. - Marshall Community Band concert
8:45 p.m. - Music by KMHL D.J. Sound Machine
10:15 p.m. - Fireworks
Several new events have been added to the schedule this year, some geared toward children, and some for everyone, Martig said. There will be kids' games like a water balloon toss, 500 free kites for visitors to fly, and emergency vehicles like a fire truck and ambulance will be on display. There will also be a variety of live music, including performances by the Marshall City Band and the Los Mensajeros Mariachi Band.
"We thought it would be something a little different and good family entertainment as well," Martig said.
Local Kiwanis members will be running a stand selling cold drinks, alongside other local food vendors, Martig said. Proceeds from the stand will go toward next year's celebration, he said.
The grand finale of the celebration will come after dark, Goodmund said. A half-hour fireworks display will be launched from Independence Park, with patriotic music from KMHL Radio.