Schedule: Coralville 4thFest Celebrates 'Blast from the Past'

From the City of Coralville

Coralville's 4thFEST, an Independence Day tradition, is known for free concerts, spectacular fireworks, the area’s largest parade, and a variety of events for all ages. All events take place in or around S.T. Morrison Park, located in the 1500 block between 7th and 8th Streets, unless otherwise noted.

Read About Events or Jump to Coralville 4thFest: Schedule of Events

4thFEST 5K is June 29
This year’s celebration begins Saturday, June 29, with a 5K walk/run beginning at 8:00 am. Registration is $15 through June 21, or $20 for same-day registration. The route starts and ends near the Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street. At 8:45 am, children up to age 8 can participate for free in the 4thFEST Firecracker Kids Mini-Marathon (26.2 yards). For more information, call the Recreation Center at 319.248.1750.

140th Birthday Celebration on July 2
On Tuesday, July 2, stop by the Coralville 1876 Schoolhouse on 5th Street from 5:00 to 6:30 pm and celebrate Coralville's 140th birthday. The 2013 Parade Marshals Margaret Morgan, (Rep.) Dick Myers, and Sherry Carpenter will be honored.

Carnival July 3-6; Tickets Now Available
The 4thFEST carnival by Superior Carnival opens Wednesday, July 3 at 5:00 pm in the Coralville Community Aquatic Center parking lot. The carnival will continue through Saturday evening, July 6.

Carnival tickets are available for purchase through 5:00 pm on July 2 at Coralville City Hall, Public Library, and Recreation Center. Advance tickets are $15 for 20 tickets; tickets purchased at the carnival are $20 for 20 tickets.

Free Concerts on July 3
Coralville’s 4thFEST offers free concerts throughout the festival. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic to enjoy with friends and family in S.T. Morrison Park. Food vendors open in the park at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 3.

The festival’s free stage entertainment begins July 3. Beginning at 6:30 pm, enjoy “1960’s hippie rock revisited” with a performance by The Beaker Brothers.

At 8:00 pm, the festival heats up with southern rockers 38 Special in concert. Most associate the band with their arena rock-pop smashes including “Hold on Loosely,” Rockin’ into the Night,” “Caught up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Chain Lightnin’,” and “Second Chance.”

Independence Day Parade, Fireworks, & More
Start Independence Day with a pancake breakfast at Northwest Junior High, offered by the Kiwanis Club from 7:00 to 10:00 am. Then line up for the 30th anniversary of the area’s largest 4th of July parade beginning at 10:00 am. The parade route begins and ends at the GEICO/McGregor’s parking lot, travelling east on 9th Street and 8th Street, south on 14th Avenue, east on 7th Street, south on 12th Avenue, west on 5th Street, north on 20th Avenue, and west on 8th Street.

During the 4th of July enjoy bingo at the Hilltop Shelter, courtesy of the American Legion; food vendors in the park beginning at noon; performances and demonstrations in the park throughout the afternoon; a Coralville history display in City Hall honoring Coralville’s 140th birthday; and free admission at the 1876 Schoolhouse on 5th Street from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Another free concert begins at 6:00 pm with local youth band Grace Under Fire. The Iowa City Community Band performs at 8:30 pm and, as always, the 2013 4thFEST will end with a spectacular fireworks display at dark.

Learn More
Times and events are subject to change. For more information, visit www.coralville.org/4thFEST.