The stormy weather that made its way across Iowa the morning of Monday, July 4, may have caused some holiday revelers to alter their plans, but the weather proved no match for Reinbeck’s annual 4th of July Celebration which – after canceling a few morning events – began at noon with the Kiddie Parade.

Both the 5K and Kids Dash sponsored by GR Dollars for Scholars and the GR Booster Club’s Alumni 7 on 7 Football Tournament were canceled due to the morning’s rain, while the Big Wheel Races were moved to later in the afternoon. The Little Mr. and Miss crowning of Cooper Wood and Breeya Olson, respectively, was pushed from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

The annual Fishing Derby held at Izaak Walton Pond went off as planned at 8:00 a.m. but saw attendance down by half due to the rain, according to Facebook posts for the event. A wonderful time still appeared to be had by all who participated.

At 1:30 p.m. – with the sun finally shining, clouds breaking up, and heat beginning to swell – the Grand Parade began its promenade toward Reinbeck’s downtown.

With Darren and Sue Trunck serving as the parade’s Grand Marshals, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department led the way as the parade processed north down Broad Street before turning west onto Main Street.

A multitude of parade floats comprised the roughly 30-minute parade including antique tractors and modern-day ag equipment; the Reinbeck, Hudson, Grundy Center, and Colfax Township Holland fire and rescue vehicles; local organizations and businesses; G-R FFA chapter members, state athletic qualifiers from this past school year, and the Rebel Band which played the National Anthem; candidates running for political office including Josh Meggers (R-Grundy Center) for Iowa House District 54 and incumbent State Sen. Annette Sweeney (R-Alden) for Senate District 27; among others.

Reinbeck’s 4th of July festivities officially kicked off the evening prior on Sunday, July 3, with the Fireman’s Dance on Main Street featuring the Iowa band The Pork Tornadoes sponsored by Lincoln Savings Bank.

Following the parade on Monday, festivities continued in Elmwood Park including games and activities for kids of all ages, a petting zoo, BINGO, a magic show, food and beverage vendors including Reinbeck’s own Nana Rosa’s Pizza and The Dig Inn, the first-ever cannonball contest held in the community pool, a visit at 3:00 p.m. by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ AirCare helicopter on the baseball outfield, and much more.

At 10:00 p.m., fireworks lit up the sky over Reinbeck followed by a lantern launch at the Legion Shelter House, bringing the festivities to a close and reminding those in attendance of the inspiration America continues to provide to both its own citizens and the rest of the world.

In addition to planning committee members who work incredibly hard to make Reinbeck’s annual 4th of July celebration possible, 2022 event sponsors included the City of Reinbeck (Presenter); Fogt Farms Trucking, Lincoln Savings Bank, and Reinbeck Lions Club (Gold sponsors); Corteva Agriscience-Reinbeck, Dinsdale Constuction, Mark & Dixie Schildroth, Reinbeck Pharmacy, Reinbeck Women’s Club, Spahn & Rose, and Trunck’s Country Foods (Silver sponsors); Brad & Lynn Ohrt, Grundy County Memorial Hospital, Hoien Enterprises, Lon’s Plumbing and Heating, Parkview Manor, Roots on Main, Scott & Chris Schildroth Farms, and Sides & Bown Construction (Bronze sponsors); Farm Bureau-Kyle Blohm & Associates, Folkerts and Son, Matt & Pam Shoup, Phil & Judy Roberts, Rouse Motor Co., Smoldt Seed, Sweet & Hartman Law Firm, PLC, Vern & Julie Knaack, and Wyatt & Sons Farms (Friend sponsors).