News Flash

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Fourth of July festivities in Downtown Muscatine will mean restricted access to certain streets and changes in traffic patterns throughout the day on Tuesday (July 4). The weather forecast promises intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high temperature of 88 degrees, which will mean a near perfect day filled with family fun in celebration of our Independence Day.

CHILDREN’S DRESS-UP PARADE

The day begins with the Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center’s Fourth of July Children’s Dress-up Parade.

Children, and their caregivers, can dress up as their favorite book character, wear red, white, and blue, or come as you are for this parade through Downtown Muscatine. Those participating are asked to meet in the parking lot at West 2nd and Pine streets prior to the 9 a.m. start. A colorful cast of characters will be on hand to lead the parade down 2nd Street to the Musser Public Library for a book and popsicle.

No traffic restrictions are planned for this parade but those who may be driving through Downtown Muscatine are asked to be alert and aware of the children’s parade between 9 and 10 a.m.

GMCCI COMMUNITY PARADE

The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMCCI) Community Parade will have entries marching down Iowa Avenue to East 2nd Street to Walnut Street, and finishing on East 5th Street starting at 4 p.m. Staging and check in for the parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Fulliam and Iowa (Iowa Field).

Side-street intersections with Iowa Avenue from Fulliam to 2nd Street will be closed to traffic at 2 p.m. Tuesday. However, the intersections of 8th and Iowa along with 5th and Iowa will remain open until the parade begins.

Side-street intersections will reopen once the parade participants and citizens watching the parade have dispersed.

RIVERSIDE PARK RESTRICTIONS AND TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES

The downriver boat launch inside Riverside Park will be closed to the public Monday and Tuesday (July 3-4). Parking will also be restricted in the downriver end of Riverside Park with Almost Fireworks Fest from 5-8 p.m., the presentation by the Honor Guard and a performance by the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra in front of Pearl City Station at 8 p.m., and then Fireworks Over the Mighty Mississippi at dusk.

The traffic pattern for those exiting Riverside Park following the fireworks display will be:

• From the Iowa Avenue exit at the riverfront, all traffic will be directed left (west) on Mississippi Drive. Iowa Avenue will be blocked off on the town side of the intersection.
• From the Cedar Street exit at the riverfront, all traffic will be directed straight (north) or right (east) on all intersections from Mississippi Drive through 5th Street. No left (west) turns will be permitted on Mississippi Drive, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, or 5th Street.