Celebrating the Fourth of July in Waterloo Iowa!

Kicking off the 4th of July celebration in Iowa is the Urbandale Sports Association Friday Fest in Walker/Johnston Park. The festival takes place in Urbandale from 5-8pm. On Wednesday, July 4th, Windsor Heights will have their 4th of July Celebration in Colby Park of Windsor Heights Iowa.

On Saturday, July 7th, the Waterloo Jayceec will be having their Fireworks Festival in the Courier Parking lot. This celebration will be held on 4th & Commercial from 6-10pm. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10:30pm. The rain date for this event is Sunday July 8.

The festival in Waterloo typically attracts more than 30,000 people. The festival features entertainment, food vendors and beverages. Fireworks are provided by Steve Petersen and J&M Displays.

From 4-6pm, Nashville recording Artist, Brenda Cummings, will be performing live downtown. The performer will entertain guests with pop, oldies and hits from today. Brenda Cummings was born and raised in Waterloo Iowa and has always been a country girl. The first time Brenda performed was with two friends at a small karaoke bar in 1998. Brenda has won numerous singing contests and has performed in many Weddings. Brenda's CD release party was held at Big Bill's in Evansdale, Iowa.

The Blue Band will be playing live music from 6pm-10pm. This original Iowa band features rock and roll music. The band started in Cedar Falls Iowa in the early summer of 1981. Over the past 25 years, the Blue Band has had close to 20 musicians in their band. Bob Dorr on vocals, harmonica, percussion and bandleader, and Jeff Petersen on guitar, lap steel guitar and vocals have been with the band from the beginning. Molly Nova was a member of the band from 1981-2001 and Steve Hayes is the current drummer. The band has performed in Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and Chicago. The band was also invited to the international Bluestock Celebration in Memphis were they appeared at B.B King's nightclub.

The fourth of July Celebration in Waterloo, Iowa will also include the Lotus Band from 10:30-midnight. Lotus is also a local band featuring Rock-n-Roll music. LOTUS is an official house band of 97.7 KCRR FM. In 2006, LOTUS performed at the La Porte City Festival of Trails, Parkersburg Fun Days, Harleys-n-Hotrods and Evansdale Good Ol' Days.

The festival is not allowing pets, bikes , rollerblads, coolers or soliciting.

Another way to celebrate Independence Day in the State of Iowa is by getting involved in the Clover Run 5K & 2M R/W. The race begins at 8am on the 4th of July in Fontanelle Park in Greenfield, IA. There is also a 5K run in Earlham Iowa beginning at 7:30AM. Another 5K Run/Walk is being held in Estes Park in Iowa Falls, Iowa at 8am. Dysart, Iowa is also hostin ga 5K Run/Walk at 8am. Dysart will also be hosting a Parade and festivities throughout the 4th of July.

Massena Iowa will also be hosting a Firecracker Fun Run & Walk beginning at 9am in Massena Iowa. The city of Urbandale and Waukee will also be hosting 5Ks, and Kids 1M runs.

Getting involved in area 5K or fun run is great for the family and a great excuse to get in shape. Most runs begin early in the morning and there are often bagels and breakfast served afterwards. It is a good idea to start training for these races today so that the race will not be too strenuous.

Also in the Cedar Valley, the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa will be hosting fireworks. Taking place near the UNI-dome along Hudson Road in Cedar Falls. Fireworks will begin at dusk on the 4th of July. There is also a Municipal Band Concert at Overman Park in Cedar Falls, beginning at 7:30pm.

On July 6th, in Byrnes Park of Waterloo, the Waterloo Municipal Band concert will be held at 7pm. On July 7th, Movies Under the Moon will take place at Overman Park in Cedar Falls Iowa. The theatre will be showing The Incredibles beginning at 9pm. Also on July 7th in Lincoln Park, Waterloo there will be a Friday'loo festival. Free, fun, food vendors and music by Wicked LIz & the Bellyswirls will be taking place from 5:30-9:30pm.

Lastly, on July 8 there will be a gorgeous Gardens Promenade sponsered by the Grout Museum District. There is also an Ice Cream social to follow the Garden event.