Fourth of July
Urbandale is Home to one of the Largest 4th of July Celebrations in the Area!
We invite you to bring the family to celebrate Independence day in the community. From a family-friendly street dance to carnival rides or a 2-mile long parade to a breathtaking fireworks display – the celebration has something for everyone!
Urbandale 4th of July Schedule of Events
Urbandale’s celebration is full of a number of activities for every interest! The 2019 theme is “Celebrating Red, White, & U”
Parade
The Urbandale 4th of July Parade takes place beginning at 10 a.m. from the Old City Hall on 70th Street north to Aurora Avenue finishing at 82nd and Aurora.
Button Sales & Winners for Fireworks Support
Urbandale is known for an amazing fireworks display. The fireworks are shot off from Walker Johnston Park, located off of Douglas Avenue, just West of 86th Street. To pay for the display, the 4th of July Committee partners with the Lion’s Club to sell numbered buttons. Local businesses donate prizes to support the effort. Button numbers are drawn on the 4th to determine the winners of the prizes donated by local businesses. Winning buttons numbers should be taken to the business awarding the prize.
4th of July Run Info
Urbandale 4th of July Run was first run in 1966. The event has been run under different names and distances. In 1988 the race was not run due to no chairperson. The race in 1989 returned as William Courtney Memorial 10 K. After 2 years of excessive heat the route was changed in 1991 to present route and distance 5 K. A grade school mile was added 1996 in honor of Coach Chuck Silvey. The Coach Gary Page tot trot was added in 2000
Questions? Please do not call. Email instead Larry Jablonski at – jabo19522@msn.com
Event Entries & Winners
Chris Mandt Memorial Car Show – 8th Annual Kris Mandt
5K and Kids Mile – Urbandale 4th 2018-5K
Congratulations to all of the participants of the 2017 4th of July activities! Below is a list of links to winners of various events.
Vendors
Urbandale’s 4th of July Celebration is not complete without a wide range of food vendors and exhibits. You’ll find them located along Prairie Avenue between 71st Street and 72nd Street on the south side of Lions Park. Looking for comfort food to satisfy your craving? A place to grab a quick meal with your family? How about a sweet treat just because? You can find it all at the July Urbandale 4th of July Celebration. Check out the wide range of options that await you.
Additional information regarding how to sign up to be a vendor will be released at the beginning of 2019. A complete list of vendors can be found here shortly before the Celebration.
Carnival
Sam’s Amusement
Discounted tickets will be available at the Urbandale Hy-Vee and Price Chopper on Merle Hay Road. Date TBA.
2019 Hours of Operation TBA
Individual ticket price is set by carnival. TBA
Hot Dog Eating Contest
Committee Members
2018 Committee-(Picture was taken in front of Centennial Shelter built in 2017 with the help from a 4th Celebration donation)
The Urbandale 4th of July committee is a group of volunteers who come together annually to organize and plan the celebration. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Matt Blake, urbandale4thofjuly@gmail.com
