Wellman has always excelled at providing a full day of family fun on Independence Day, and expectations are this year will not disappoint.  Among the improvements for 2023 are more food vendors in North Park post-parade, and more of the animated T-Rex that debuted last year.  

Activities on Tuesday, July 4 begin with opportunities to promote health and wellness.  Yoga class is offered at North Park’s bandshell at 7 a.m. and spin class takes place inside the Parkside YMCA at 8 a.m.

The parade, which has been attracting a growing number of fans, starts at 9:30 a.m. with the kiddies, followed by the main parade at 10 a.m.  The route starts downtown, heads straight up 8th Avenue, and then turns right on 13th Street and continues toward North Park.  

People used to line only 8th Avenue, City Administrator Kelly Litwiller said, but in recent years they’ve been filling in along 13th Street as well.  If this will be your first time with a vehicle or float in the parade, “have lots of candy because it seems like people run out before they get to the end,” she advises.

For those riding in the parade, there is no need to register in advance; simply check in at Thrapp Electric on 2nd Street downtown before lining up.

This year’s Grand Marshal will be Jim Millice, a life-long Wellman resident and longest active serving member in Wellman’s Volunteer Fire Department.  He joined the fire department in 1959, following in the footsteps of his father, who was Assistant Fire Chief at that time.  In 2022, Millice was honored as Iowa Firefighter of the Year for his outstanding commitment to the fire service.  

Activities begin in North Park immediately following the parade.  For the hungry, a greater number of food vendors will be serving this year, including Freeman Foods, Kona Ice, Country Cookin’, Delovely’s Mini Donuts, Elgringoloco, and Buen Provecho.  

Registration for the Kids Pedal Pull, which Litwiller says is “always a big hit,” happens at 11:30 a.m. at the tennis court.  Bingo follows beginning at noon, horseshoes at 1 p.m., and Old Man Band will perform at the bandshell starting at 6 p.m.

A special treat you won’t want to miss is the documentary showing at 1 p.m. inside the YMCA.  Kalona-based Storyline Multimedia, in conjunction with the cities of Wellman and Kalona, filmed local veterans this spring in order to create this meaningful 20-minute tribute.

Also inside the YMCA will be the return of the Dino-Venture dinosaur exhibit and activities from 1 - 4 p.m. This wildly popular attraction drew over 900 people last year; the $2 recommended donation admission for ages 3+ will raise funds for the Wellman-Scofield Public Library, which is sponsoring the event.

“I hear that they’ve been doing more work on the T-Rex,” library director Carrie Geno said.  The animated T-Rex, the creation of Wellman resident Doug Campbell and his team, debuted last year as a head and neck peeking over a garden wall.  “He’s getting more of a body and more movement,” Geno said.

The exhibit will include a return of the dinosaur-themed games, activities, and playground so many enjoyed last year.  A second virtual reality set-up will be added to the mix, as well as a selfie station.

The day of festivities will conclude at dusk with fireworks launched from the golf course, provided for the second consecutive year by the Richmond Shooters.

More volunteers are needed to help with the daytime activities in North Park; those interested can contact the City of Wellman at 319-646-2154.

“A huge shout-out to all of the sponsors that helped the event, because it takes a lot to go into it,” Litwiller said. 

You can see a full schedule of events on 12A in this weeks paper.