Launching the Muscatine County Fair to begin just a few days later, the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce will host it’s annual opening fair parade Sunday at 2 p.m., followed by the community’s annual Picnic in the Park.
Dozens of floats, tractor, classic car, horse, fire truck and emergency vehicle entries are expected, according to new Chamber director Jacob Lane. The theme of this year’s parade is “Time Marches On.”
Members of the West Liberty American Legion Post 509 color guard will lead the parade followed by grand marshals Jodi and Bill Simon, lifelong West Liberty natives.
The parade will line up at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds on the southwest edge of the community and roll down First Street before turning north on Calhoun Street past the business district area. It turns west on Maxson Avenue and then south on Elm Street and back to Fourth Street.
The parade will be followed up by a community picnic event in Kimberly Park, where about a dozen activity and food booths are anticipated. Organizations, private businesses and churches, including St. Joseph Catholic Church, will be serving a variety of foods including tacos and Latino dishes, hamburgers, popcorn and egg rolls while offering shaved ice, beverages and lemonade. Lane said a variety of food trucks and restaurants will be in attendance.
The century old Kimberly Park pool will also be open for free swimming to families from 3-7 p.m. and Karl Beatty, an acoustic musician from Davenport, will provide free entertainment. The West Liberty High School cheerleaders will host a dunk tank as part of a fundraiser and the West Liberty Public Library will offer attendees an opportunity to play Loteria Mexican bingo.
Lane says the entire afternoon offers opportunities for some memorable family fun. “It should be a great time,” he said.
The parade draws visitors from all over the county and anyone is welcome to attend not only the parade, but also the picnic, to be held at Kimberly Park, located between Calhoun and Elm Streets near the former high school football field.