TOLEDO – Tama County citizens, friends and families are invited to a celebration of word, patriotic music, and dance set for this Sunday, June 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. The event is being organized by many talented local citizens in recognition of Flag Day/America’s 250 birthday.

Bring your lawn chairs to the Tama County Courthouse lawn and bandstand which will be decorated for the special day. A program is planned to share highlights of events leading up to our nation’s Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson has been invited to remind us of his moving words that inspired a revolution. The Community Band led by Mike Carnahan will add their musical interpretation. Dallas Boerm and Cat Trax will lead group singing of our most beloved patriotic songs. Our nation’s flag will be honored and so much more. Songs from the American Revolution era will welcome guests pre-program and the Community Band will serenade guests post-program as refreshments are served, including free cake and ice cream.

This is a kid-friendly event. Children are invited to pick up coloring pages relevant to these events at our local Tama and Toledo public libraries. Colored pictures brought to the event can be placed in a drawing for prizes. Pages will also be available at the event for children to color and enter into the drawing. Other activities for children are planned including inviting them to lead off the program to marching music and flag waving and closing the program singing “Happy Birthday” to America.

Youth and adults are invited to share their photographic talents by capturing inspiring and meaningful pictures of flags flying across our county and submitting them to Tama County Economic Development’s Jake Buchanan at jbuchanan@marshalltown.org. Please limit submissions to two (2) photos per person; include your name, location where photo was taken and contact information. The Tama County Board of Supervisors will hang an inspired entry or collage of entries in the Annex building. Submissions due Friday, June 12.

Our local Wieting Theater changed their regular movie matinee time to accommodate this schedule and will add to the day’s historical tone by showing the one-hour documentary “AFTER IKE” at 1 p.m. This is a documentary about the longest motorized military convoy ever assembled as it traveled from the White House to San Francisco in 1919. Ambassador Michael Owen retraces the Lincoln Highway journey as he explores and reflects on America’s past, present and future.

In case of inclement weather, the Wieting Theater will function as the alternate location. Stay informed by following the Tama County Economic Development Facebook page and other Facebook pages supporting this event.

We look forward to a community building inspiring afternoon.