By Keith Brake
Montezuma Magazine Editor
When I first set foot in Montezuma back in the mid-90s, one event I particularly enjoyed was the community’s Fourth of July celebration.
Well, it’s time for another one of those celebrations honoring the birth of our country. This year, it’s on Saturday, July 3.
What charmed me – and still does – was how many different organizations join together to pull it off. The Montezuma Community Boosters have been the main mixer, but they haven’t been alone.
The other thing was – and is – the intensity of the festival.
It’s non-stop color and a swirl of activity – from 7 a.m. until shortly after noon.
You better know what you want to visit before you go, or you might miss something you want to see.
I’ve called it a community-wide “block party.”
Over the years, there have been some attempts to extend it out over the length of the day. But if you spend time at the festival, you quickly learn that people are going to spend the rest of the day at the lake, or on a shopping trip, before returning to Lake Ponderosa for the 9:30 p.m. fireworks.
Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s hard to change the basic nature of people.
So instead, organizers have looked at ways to make “Let Freedom Ring” better by trying new events, or expanding others.
The day starts with a breakfast to benefit the school’s Shooting Sports Club. It runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at the fire station.
Sidewalk sales start at 8 a.m. on the square. They used to call it “Ridiculous Days,” and merchants wore crazy outfits. That was fun, but crazy outfits can be hot.
There are food stands, by vendors and local restaurants.
You’ll find funnel cakes, hot and chili dogs, shaved ice and cotton candy and Beez kettle corn.
Pink Truffle bake shop will be there; so will Yolanda’s Tacos. And so will Virarium Coffee.
One of the centerpiece events of the day, the parade, starts at 10 a.m.
Entries are to line up at the school’s north parking lot, startng at 8:30 a.m.
You are asked to submit your parade entry information by email to Abby@MontezumaIowa.org, or call her at (641) 623-5617.
After the parade (11 a.m.), comes another centerpiece event, the Montezuma Lions Club’s annual chicken barbecue, at Memorial Hall.
You get a whole half a chicken, covered with the club’s tangy “secret sauce,” along with beans, rolls and drinks, all for a still-modest price. It’s a big fundraiser for the Lions, who use proceeds for community projects and their sight-related charities.
Oops, I said things start at 7 a.m. – well for Lions on the cooking crew, it’s more like 4:30 a.m.!
Also, after the parade, there will be a “mini expo” on the east side of the courthouse square. It’s an arts and crafts show, and some vendors will open prior to the parade.
There will be a bounce house ride on the west side of the square.
And there will be more events on the square, some of which possibly were being organized when this piece was being written.
One we know about: The state champion Braves basketball team will be present, to greet people, sign autographs, etc.
Another: The school’s dance team will be in charge of a dunk tank. Locals such as Tim Burgess, Cal Smith, Kevin Gartman, Justin Richards and Laila Kercheval will take turns in the tank.
Throws cost $2 for one throw and $5 for three.
Be on the lookout for more events not listed here!
There will be a horseshoe pitching tournament across the street from the south side of the square.
A six-home garden tour will be conducted from 1 to 3 p.m.
Then, at 9:30 p.m., the Lake Ponderosa Association sponsors its annual fireworks show over the lake.
Come to think of it, if you do all that stuff, you WILL eat up most of Saturday. Not to worry, Sunday is the 4th. You can sneak in some rest then!
