Creston’s 66th Annual
4th of July
Celebration INSIDE Uncle Sam Jam Street Dance Historical Village Events Calendar Celebrate the 4th
July 1, 2016
A special supplement to the
Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, July 1, 2016
window to Union County’s past Star Spangled Celebration AThe Union County Historical Village at McKinley Park n
By SCOTT VICKER
puts local history within reach of its people.
CNA managing editor svicker@crestonnews.com
Creston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Gerharz wasn’t surprised when the Des Moines Register included Creston on its list of “10 Iowa towns that do Independence Day right.� She’s been saying that for years. “I just think it’s that kind of All-American Fourth of July celebration that we’ve been able to maint a i n , � Gerharz said about the 10,000 C r e s tonians Fourth of Gerharz July celebration. This year marks the 66th-annual event put on by the 10,000 Crestonians, under the theme of “Star Spangled Celebration.� The Fourth of July celebration officially kicked off this morning with the Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast. Activities tonight include Uptown Friday Night and a showing of “Stuart Little� in McKinley Park at dusk. Saturday features Shakespeare in the Park with a production of “Macbeth,� which is a new addition to this year’s festivities. The
By JOEL LAMB
oring and preserving local history and heritage is steadily evolving. Here is where the Union County At the south end of Cres- Historical Society has transton’s McKinley Park, a formed years of concentratsprawling monument hon- ed pride in the community CNA staff reporter jlamb@crestonnews.com
VILLAGE | 7c
CNA file photo
Lori Mullen with the Kline Museum waves to a friend during the Fourth of July parade in Creston last year. Also pictured, from left, are her two sons Tanner and Taylor Mullen and husband, Chris.
performance is slated to begin around 7 p.m., when lighting is at its best. “I was really excited because we added some new events this year,� Gerharz said. “We’ve added Shakespeare in the Park. I think that’s wonderful.� The third-annual Creston Half Marathon and 5K is Sunday morning, with the half marathon starting 7:30 a.m. at Green Valley State Park and ending at McKinley Park. The 5K starts and finishes at McKinley Park, with the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Elks Lodge street dance (see related story on page 6c), a longstanding tradition, begins 9 p.m. Sunday and lasts until 1 a.m. Mon-
day. Monday brings the bulk of the Fourth of July festivities, starting with the flea market in uptown Creston, which runs from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Old Tyme Power is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in McKinley Park. FOURTH | 6c
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An antique locomotive caboose in the Union County Historical Village pays tribute to the impact of railroads on the early development of Creston and other towns in the county.
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SUNDAY JULY 3RD
Street Dance: 9pm - 1am “Oreo Meatwagon� Beer Garden - Food
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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, July 1, 2016 — Page 3c
10,000 Crestonians
66th Annual 4th of July Celebration Theme - “Star Spangled Celebration”
THINGS TO SEE & DO HISTORICAL DEPOT AREA
Visit this turn of the century depot and enjoy the working model railroad display and art gallery.
PARADE - July 4th at 10:00 a.m.
through Uptown Creston. Each year over 100 entries form this spectacular parade including bands, antique vehicles, floats, children and horses. The theme this year is “STAR SPANGLED CELEBRATION”.
UNION COUNTY HISTORICAL VILLAGE - A recreated
complex of buildings in McKinley Park reminiscent of prospering villages in early Iowa.
2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
July 1, 2016
Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast .......................... Mealsite 7-8:30 a.m. Chalk the Town Creston: Arts Gallery Open ................... UT.............. 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Historical Village Open ......................... MC............... 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Uptown Friday Night............................. UT Movie in the Park ................................. MC....................................Dusk
July 2, 2016
Chalk the Town Creston: Arts Gallery Open ................... UT................ 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Historical Village Open ......................... MC............... 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park (Macbeth)...... MC...................................7 p.m
July 3, 2016
Chalk the Town Creston Half Marathon & 5K Run.......... MC............................7:30 a.m.. Historical Village Open ......................... MC............... 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Elks Street Dance................................. UT..................... 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
4th, the bandshell in McKinley Park is the setting for talent of all ages, starting at 6:30 p.m.
A Special thanks to these 10,000 Crestonians Sponsors... STARS AND STRIPES $500.00 AND OVER
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Aaron Finch and Loretta Harvey
Fareway Stores
Heartland Tire & Auto Center
Central Iowa Power Cooperative
Boyd Appliance Center
Creston Specialty Care
Nishna Valley Credit Union
northwest of Creston on County Road 186 in Union County. The park offers camping and a variety of recreational choices.
Tyler Insurance Services Inc
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Dr. Dan and Connie Coen
Hi Crest Inc./United Super Wash
Dairy Queen of Creston
Subway
Creston Automotive
Powers Funeral Home
CNA Creston Publishing Company
Family Shoe Store
Vernies Window Fashion
Lions Club of Creston
MCKINLEY PARK AND LAKE - Located in West
Ferrara Candy Company
Echo Electric Supply Co.
Greater Regional Medical Center
Ted Willets, CPA
Walmart Supercenter
Creston Vision Clinic
Pizza Ranch
largest displays of fireworks in southwest Iowa. They begin at 9:30 p.m. on McKinley Lake.
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Creston, it provides a natural setting for the festivities and offers camping, picnicking, and food stands.
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*Flea Market ........................................ UT..................... 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Old Tyme Power................................... MC.................... 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friends of the Library Book Fair ........... Mealsite ........... 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Chalk the Town.................................... UT Model Railroaders ................................ Depot...............9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Creston: Arts Gallery Open ................... UT....................9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Caboose on Adams, Open .................... UT............... 9:30 a.m. to NOON *4th of July Parade .............................. UT............................10:00 a.m. Classic & Antique Tractor Pull .............. MC.......................Noon to Dusk Lion’s Club Bingo ................................. MC.....................Noon to 9 p.m. Historical Village Open (Pioneer Days) .. MC................ 1 p.m - 4:30 p.m. Uncle Sam Jam.................................... MC..................................1 p.m. 4th of July Skate Board Competition .... MC.............................2:30 p.m. Boy Scouts & VFW Flag Retirement Ceremony .......... MC.............................5:30 p.m. Evening Program: *Talent Show ....................................... MC.............................6:30 p.m. *Fireworks ........................................... MC.............................9:30 p.m. Food Booths will be open in McKinley Park on July 4th MC - McKinley Park UT - Uptown Creston
TALENT CONTEST - On July
FIREWORKS - One of the
July 4, 2016
*Indicates event is sponsored by the 10,000 Crestonians
CLASSIC & ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL - Will
be held at McKinley Park beginning at Noon.
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Arnold Motor Supply
Pokorny BP and Automotive Service Charlie Brown Auto Farmers Cooperative Co. Afton, Iowa Alliant Energy Strand Theatre Ben Adamson, State Farm Insurance Vanmark Equipment LLC
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Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, July 1, 2016
Uncle Sam Jam debuts as part of Fourth celebration By SCOTT VICKER
CNA managing editor svicker@crestonnews.com
Creston resident Todd Kinkade remembers when he was a child and Creston offered a plethora of events on the Fourth of July. That’s why he came up with the idea of organizing a new event for this year’s 10,000 Crestonians Fourth of July celebration. Kinkade is organizing the first Uncle Sam Jam to be held at McKinley Park Monday afternoon as part of the day’s Fourth of July festivities. The event is slated to begin at 1 p.m. and last until approximately 6 p.m., when the stage will be cleared for the talent show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The Uncle Sam Jam provides area musicians an opportunity and outlet to showcase their musical talents. “A long time ago, back when I was a kid, we used to have ski shows on McKinley Lake. My grandfather and a
bunch of other people were part of the Creston Ski Club. I was out there at 4 years old doing the ski shows on the Fourth of July,” Kinkade said. “There was always a whole bunch of activities — which there are a lot of events going on now, but it’s just one more thing to attract people to Creston.” Creston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Gerharz said she was pleased when Kinkade approached her about starting the event. “They thought if we have music out there, we could bring people into the park,” she said. “That made me excited because it just is another reason to go out to the park. The park is so beautiCNA photo by SCOTT VICKER ful, and we have the Lions Members of Templeton Fade, from left, Nick Brown on bass, Kasey Kinkade on guitar and vocals and Ashley Knipfer Club bingo and they attract on vocals perform during the eighth-annual Elm’s Club Bike Night last weekend. Templeton Fade will perform as part a certain clientele and the of the inaugural Uncle Sam Jam Monday at McKinley Park as part of the 10,000 Crestonians Fourth of July celebration. tractor pull and Old Tyme Power and the historical village does Pioneer Days. This is just something else neat.” JAM | 5c
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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, July 1, 2016 — Page 5c
CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER
Todd Kinkade plays drums with his band Templeton Fade during the eighth-annual Elm’s Club Bike Night last weekend. Kinkade organized the inaugural Uncle Sam Jam, which Templeton Fade will perform during, to be held Monday at McKinley Park.
JAM: CONT. FROM | 4c
Gigs can be hard to come by for musicians. It’s not every day an opportunity arises for a musician or a local band to play at a venue like the McKinley Park band shell. Unlike the talent show, musicians will not be limited to one performance and will not be judged. “Some of these are local bands who actually get paid money to go play,” Gerharz said. “They’re just coming to play and entertain for the public.” The Uncle Sam Jam pro-
vides a new alternative and a new outlet to draw people to McKinley Park. “I always thought it would be fun. We haven’t really done anything like that on the Fourth of July,” Kinkade said. “It’s a good opportunity for people to showcase (their talents) with a lot of people around. And, who knows? It might turn into something a lot bigger, like the size of Party in the Park or something.” Kinkade’s band Templeton Fade will perform during the event. Joining Kinkade, who plays drums, are son Kasey Kinkade on guitar and vocals, Nick Brown on bass and Ashley Knipfer on vocals.
The event is open to any musician who wants to perform at the McKinley Park band shell. “If you’ve never played in public or anything and you want to showcase yourself, come on down, and you’re more than welcome to play,” Kinkade said. “If you’re a seasoned veteran and just haven’t played out in awhile, it’s for anyone who wants to participate and have a good time. If they want to bring their flute or just sing or whatever they want to do.” Kinkade is hopeful more area bands and musicians will
participate, taking advantage of the opportunity to play in front of a large crowd. “We have it on the Fourth to give local, area musicians the opportunity to play at the band shell over a large (public address) PA system,” Kinkade said. “It’s just so people can come down to the park and actually use the park and be able to play.” Anyone interested in performing as part of the Uncle Sam Jam simply needs to show up at the McKinley Park band shell on Monday ready to perform.
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Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Friday, July 1, 2016
FOURTH: CONT. FROM | 2c
“They bring in old farming equipment and just set it out. It’s kind of like if you went to a car show, only it’s an Old Tyme Power show,” Gerharz said. “They usually make ice cream.” The Friends of the Library Book Fair runs 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the congregate mealsite and the model railroaders operate trains at the restored Creston depot from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Creston: Arts gallery is open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in uptown Creston. The caboose on West Adams Street will be open for the public to view and walk through from 9:30 a.m. until noon. The Fourth of July parade begins at 10 a.m. and runs through uptown Creston. Beginning at noon, focus shifts toward McKinley Park. The classic and antique tractor pull begins at noon and lasts until dusk, with Lion’s Club bingo starting at noon and lasting until 9 p.m. The Union County Historical Village (see related story) is open 1-4:30 p.m. for its Pioneer Days, while the Uncle Sam Jam (see related story on page 4c) begins at 1 p.m. The skateboard competition begins at 2:30 p.m. and a flag retirement ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. The festivities culminate
in the talent show at 6:30 p.m. at the McKinley Park band shell and the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. “We’re very fortunate to have the shooters to end our day with the great fireworks display they put on,” Gerharz said. “A lot of communities our size don’t have that.” Roger Nurnberg, president of the Creston Shooters pyrotechnic team, said this year’s show will have a few new features. “This year we’re putting up a different kind of display. It’s like a fireball, but it’s translucent,” N u r n berg said. “It’s what they call a ghost mine. We wanted Nurnberg to color them, but our chemicals didn’t show up, so they’re going to be plain.” Other new features include a comet display and some new aerial shells that include red, white and blue stars. The Creston pyrotechnic team is working hard to upgrade its fireworks show, and Nurnberg said he hopes in the next couple of years to have a show choreographed to music. “We’re learning to do scripting and we’re working on a sound system,” he
“YOU’RE asking someone to give up their holiday, but there’s a reward to that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do it.”
__
ROGER NURNBERG
Creston Shooters pyrotechnic team president
said. “If we can get together with some kind of a speaker system, somebody who runs the music end of it, I think it’s very doable.” The pyrotechnic team is always looking for new members. “You’re asking somebody to give up their holiday, but there’s a reward to that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do it,” Nurnberg said. “Every person that comes along kind of develops their area of specialty and when it comes to set-up day, the team kind of works together in that aspect. When we get a new person in, we kind of take them under our wing and tutor them along.” The fireworks show is funded by donations, largely from area businesses, throughout the year. Donations received this year will be put toward next year’s Fourth of July fireworks show.
CNA file photo
Oreo Meatwagon performs during the Creston Elks Lodge street dance July 3, 2014, in the street in front of the Elks Lodge. The street dance is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. July 3-4 in celebration of the 10,000 Crestonians’ Fourth of July event. Oreo Meatwagon will also perform during the dance.
Elks Lodge to host annual street dance By BAILEY POOLMAN long as I can remember,” dogs, brats and hamburgers
said Dave Koets, Creston will also be available for purElks Lodge exalted ruler and chase until 9:30 p.m. committee member. The entertainment and The Creston Elks Lodge A beer garden will open DANCE | 7c will bring its traditional at 6 p.m. Sunday, and hot opener to the 10,000 Crestonians Fourth of July celebration again. The Elks is hosting the annual street dance from 9 p.m. Sunday to 1 a.m. Monday at the Elks Lodge, located at 403 W. Montgomery St., to kick off the local “Star Spangled Celebration.” “It’s been an annual event FNB - Main Bank for the community for as CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
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Creston News Advertiser — Friday, July 1, 2016 — Page 7c
VILLAGE: CONT. FROM | 2c
Iowa. “Our whole thing is preserving the past to educate the future,” Union County Historical Society Board Member Brian Zachary said of the local nonprofit organization. “Really, what we’re going for is this history in terms of material culture. That’s really disap-
peared; it’s a way of life.” The Union County Historical Village and museum offer visitors a glimpse into the lives of Iowa settlers at the dawn of the 20th century. Of the 18 structures on the property, eight of them are actual historical buildings that were moved from their original locations around southwest Iowa to the village grounds. The neatly arranged battery of buildings is comprised of a depot, blacksmith shop, general store,
gabled barn, a 1881 country church and Petznick’s Printing Museum, among others. “Our Lincoln Township one-room schoolhouse is one of our crown jewels,” Zachary said. “It was the last one-room schoolhouse in use in Union County. We moved it directly from where it sat to our complex, so it’s actually exactly as it always was.” A deeply seeded devotion to detail and historical accuracy lies at the core of the
CNA photo by JOEL LAMB
Farming is a cornerstone of life and community in southwest Iowa. The antique gabled barn in the Union County Historical Village is a reminder of the population’s agricultural roots.
DANCE:
of town,” said Bill Oetken, seems to be where they end former exalted ruler and up. It’s just pretty much tracommittee member. “I know dition.” CONT. FROM | 6c there’s a lot of class reunions The dance has been a tragoing on, and people just ditional opener for more dance will start at 9 p.m., know it’s happening so that than 30 years. when Creston band Oreo Meatwagon begins its performance. The band will We Salute the Men & Women of our Military play until 1 a.m. in front of the Elks Lodge. “They’re good and they’re local. That’s why we keep th them,” Koets said. “We just enjoy doing this as a community event.” “I think just everybody 520 Livingston knows it’s going to hapCreston, IA 50801 pen so a lot of people meet 641-782-7337 there that are back from out
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historical society’s ideals and the very fabric of the village’s collection of buildings and artifacts. “Most of the work is done by the board members,” Zachary said. “We have been going through some planning for the future, trying to figure out what the next building will be.” “We are a bunch of people who truly care about the history of our county and preserving it,” said Union County Historical Society Board Secretary Deb Bradley. “We’re a good team right now, and we are working with a lot of enthusiasm to do the best we can. Everyone has their specialty and by everyone doing a little bit, we accomplish a lot.” Many of the larger projects in the village’s past have been funded mainly by government grants, which are sought out and applied for by board members themselves and privately organized fundraising campaigns. “I think of it as our Disneyland or our hidden gem,” Zachary said. “There are a lot of things in this town that are cooler than the size of the town would suggest, and I think that is definitely one of
them.” The Union County Historical Village is currently open for exploration 1-4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day or can be toured by appointment by contacting Board President Dick Anderson at 641-7824000. The village will also be open to visitors daily during the Creston 4th of July celebration and overnight RAGBRAI stop July 25. During staffed hours, volunteers give visitors access to the interiors of the buildings and closer views of the artifacts inside. “We’ll have all the buildings open, answer all the questions and give as many tours as we can,” Bradley said. “Even when we’re closed,
we’re still kind of open because you can wander through the complex and peek through the windows of the buildings,” Zachary said. The board recently mounted historical abstracts to the outside of each building, allowing visitors to educate themselves without the presence of historical society volunteers. The addition of a handicap-accessible ramp to the country church and extension of the McKinley Park walking trail through the center of the village have made the grounds more accessible than ever. “Make no small plans because they don’t have the power to stir people’s hearts,” Zachary said.
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