For a couple days every summer, the population of Gowrie nearly triples as thousands flock to the community for the popular Independence Day parade, 5K fun run, fireworks, and community dinners. The dozens of events planned throughout the southwestern Webster County community rely solely on the hard work and dedication of local volunteers.

“It takes a lot of volunteers to make the 4th of July celebration in Gowrie happen year after year, over 150 years strong, and we’re proud to play our part by hosting the car show,” said Katie Dorsey, who, alongside her husband, AJ, has organized the car show since 2018.

The Freedom Cruise-In Car Show has been happening in Laurel Park since 1992 with car lovers, families, and community members coming to support the patriotic event. In fact, according to Dorsey, the largest crowd ever is expected for this year’s car show, and additional volunteers are needed to assist with registration, pack swag bags, and usher in participants.

“From helping with morning setup and parking, grilling burgers and helping with concessions to handing out swag bags and assisting with registration–we need extra hands to make it all happen,” said Dorsey.

More than 125 classic cars are expected in Laurel Park Friday afternoon following the parade. The first 125 cars will receive dash plaques for participating.

“Join us this July 4th after the parade on North Beek Street for live music, local food, patriotic horsepower, and fun for the whole family,” said Dorsey. “Let’s celebrate freedom, community, and classic cars together.”

The Gowrie Growth Group (G3G) is also hosting the 11th annual street dance on Thursday as part of the town’s Independence Day festivities.

“This year we welcome Nashville recording artist The Isaac Cole Band with opening act Spencer Suchan,” said Greg Hiesterman, president of G3G.

Suchan, a Gowrie native, will take the stage at 6 p.m.. The Isaac Cole Band will perform at 8:30 p.m.

“The Annual G3G Street Dance is the unofficial start to Gowrie’s 4th of July celebrations, so come down on July 3rd to Gowrie for a great night of amazing country music, food and drinks,” said Hiesterman.

The celebration’s favorite event, the Independence Day parade, starts at 10 a.m. Friday with parade entrants lining up on Church Street beginning at 9 a.m.

Following the parade, volunteers will host cow pie bingo and a kiddie tractor pull at Laurel Park. The Bill Riley Talent Show will begin at 2 p.m. at the Betty Nyght Hamilton Bandshell in the Gowrie City Park.

Independence Day events will close out on Saturday with the Central Plains FFA Tractor Ride which begins at 7:30 a.m. at Laurel Park.

“We are really looking forward to having many community members and tractor enthusiasts come together for our FFA tractor ride,” said Emilia Bloomquist, Central Plains FFA secretary.

Gowrie 4th of July Celebration

July 2

5 p.m. American Legion Peterson Post #431 Pork Loin Dinner

7 p.m. BINGO City Park Shelter House Evening carnival in City Park

July 3

6 p.m. Street Dance on Market Street Evening carnival in City Park

July 4

All Day: Gowrie Municipal Golf Course Men’s Amateur Golf Tournament

7-9:30 a.m. Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

7:30 a.m. Freedom 5K Run/Walk at football field

8 a.m.-2 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Food Stand in City Park Shelter House

July 4

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Craft Fair at Gowrie City Park

10 a.m. Independence Day Parade

11:30 a.m. Chicken Dinner at Gowrie United

Methodist Church

11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Freedom Cruise Car Show at Laurel Park

1 p.m. Cow Pie Bingo at Laurel Park

1-5 p.m. Free swimming at swimming pool

1 p.m. Gowrie Fire Department water fights at Laurel Park

1:30 p.m. Kiddie tractor pull at Laurel Park

2 p.m. Bill Riley Talent Show at the Betty Nyght Hamilton Bandshell in Gowrie City Park

Noon-4 p.m. Gowrie Depot Historical Museum open

10 p.m. Fireworks

July 5

7:30 a.m. Central Plains FFA Tractor Ride, meet at Laurel Park

Fourth of July events around the area

Algona: Dusk (about 9:30 to 9:45 p.m.), Fireworks

Emmetsburg: All on July 5 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Food Trucks; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Market Vendors; 2 p.m., Patriotic Pet Parade, line up at 1:45 p.m. at the Flag Pole; 2:15 p.m., Mayoral Address and VFW Color Guard; 2:30 p.m., Municipal Band Concert; 3 to 5 p.m., Children’s Activities; 5 to 8 p.m., Cody Hicks concert and Food Trucks at The Shores at Five Island; Dusk, Fireworks over Five Island Lake

Humboldt: 7 p.m., Parade, downtown Humboldt; 10 p.m., Fireworks at the Fairgrounds

Otho: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Breakfast at Otho Fire Station; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Vendor Show and Food Truck, Old School; 1:30 p.m., Parade; 4 p.m., Car Show; 6 to 9 p.m., Live Music in the Park; Dusk, Fireworks

Twin Lakes: 10 p.m., Fireworks with simultaneous patriotic music played on KTLB, 105.9. Rain date is July 5

West Bend: Friday, July 4 at 8 a.m., Hawkeye FFA Alumni Antique Tractor Ride, registration starts at 7 a.m. at West Bend Red Power; 7 p.m., WBM Cross Country 5K Race, registration starts are 6 p.m. at WBM Track

Saturday, July 5 at 9:30 a.m., Parade lineup, no registration required; 11 a.m., Parade; Following parade, all food stands open; *All events and food vendors located on the WBM school grounds*; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Free yard games, West Bend Ford Corn Box, Lego Tent and Bubble Station; 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Music by Sawyer Springer and Brandt Lawler; 12:30 p.m., Registration for Punt, Pass, Kick Competition at football field for ages 6 to 13; 1 to 3 p.m., FFA Petting Zoo; 1 to 5 p.m., Free Swimming at West Bend Pool; 1 p.m., Punt, Pass and Kick Competition at football field; 1:30 p.m., Kids Pedal Tractor Pull; 2 to 4 p.m., BINGO; 3 p.m., West Bend Fire Department Kids Water Fights; *The following events will be located at the Showmobile*; 4 p.m., Afternoon Entertainment by Mighty Mayhem; 6 p.m., Little Miss and Mister Contest; 6:30 p.m., Auction; 8 p.m., Evening Entertainment by Mighty Mayhem; 10 p.m., Fireworks

Sunday, July 6 at 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Breakfast Buffet at Fire Department, sponsored by WBM Cross Country Team