There will be a parade, carnival, fireworks, chicken dinner, car show, 5K run and much more family fun during the annual celebration.

“This year our celebration begins on Saturday, June 27th, and will conclude on Saturday, July 4th,” said Chelsey Brandes-Worrel, Gowrie Development Commission vice president. “This is one of the longest running patriotic events in the state of Iowa, and we are excited to continue the tradition and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”

The weeklong celebration starts today with the FFA tractor ride. The ride begins at 8 a.m. in Gowrie, and small towns such as Callender, Moorland, Roelyn, Somers, Rinard, and Farnhamville will be able to enjoy watching the tractors drive by.

Then on Sunday, there will be a downtown market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the afternoon, Park-a-Palooza will also take place. The Gowrie Swimming Pool will be offering a free swim for the first 60 swimmers from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., sponsored by the Gowrie Development Commission.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Kathi Moter, of Harcourt, left, and her daughter Candice Farnham, of Minneapolis, watch the annual Gowrie Fourth of July parade Friday morning. The giant display of flags grows each year.

The carnival will be set up at the city park beginning on Thursday. It will be open during the evenings, allowing families to enjoy fun rides and food vendors. ​Advance carnival tickets will be available the week before the Fourth.

On Friday, the annual street dance will take place on Market Street in front of Casey’s General Store. The street dance will feature Spencer Suchan and Standing Hampton as the live entertainment.

Finally, on July 4, a whole day of fun activities is planned for families to attend. From 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., the Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department will hold its pancake breakfast. At 7:30 a.m., the Freedom 5K Run/Walk will take place at the football field. There will also be a craft fair at the Gowrie City Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The centerpiece of the town’s Independence celebration, Gowrie’s Fourth of July Parade, will begin at 10 a.m. Each year, the parade draws thousands of visitors from all over the state and is one of the longest running parades in Iowa.

The rest of the day will consist of Gowrie United Methodist Church’s annual chicken dinner and the Freedom Cruise Car Show at Laurel Park, 1214 Pleasant St. The Freedom Cruise Car Show has been happening in Laurel Park since 1992 with car lovers, families, and community members coming to support the patriotic event each year.

The carnival will be open all day following the parade.

The Gowrie Depot Historical Museum by Laurel Park will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

To end the night, fireworks — provided by the community can donations and Gowrie Fire — will be shot off.

Gowrie Fourth Schedule of Events

Saturday, June 27

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

Sunday, June 28

9:30 a.m.: Zion Lutheran Church worship

10:15 a.m.: United Methodist Church worship

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Gowrie Downtown Market

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Gowrie Historical Museum open

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Gowrie Park-A-Palooza at Laurel Park — FUNdraiser for new playground project, includes Pickleball Tournament, Disc Golf Tournament, Cornhole Free Play, Horseshoes Free Play, many more activities and food.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Free swimming for the first 60 swimmers.​

Wednesday, July 1

1 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Swimming pool open regular hours

Thursday, July 2

1 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Swimming pool open regular hours

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

7 p.m.: American Legion BINGO, City Park shelter house

Evening carnival in City Park, sponsored by American Legion Peterson Post 431

Friday, July 3

1 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Swimming pool open regular hours

Evening carnival

8 p.m.: Street Dance, featuring Spencer Suchan and Standing Hampton, on Market Street in front of Casey’s.

​Saturday, July 4

All day: Annual Men’s Amateur Golf Tournament, Gowrie Municipal Golf Course

7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Gowrie Volunteer Fire Department pancake and sausage breakfast, Fire Station

7:30 a.m.: Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk at the football field. Sign up begins at 6:30 a.m.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: American Legion Auxiliary Food Stand, Gowrie City Park shelter house

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Craft Fair, Gowrie City Park. Contact Jim Peterson for details.

​10 a.m.: Independence Day parade

11:30 a.m.: Annual chicken dinner, Gowrie United Methodist Church, 1306 Market St., includes fried chicken, homemade pie, and all the trimmings. Box dinners to go or limited inside dining available.

11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Freedom Cruise Car Show, Laurel Park

All-day carnival in City Park

1 p.m.: Cow Pie Bingo, Laurel Park. Advance tickets available from Xi Eta Sigma Sorority members.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Swimming pool open

1 p.m.: Gowrie Fire Department Water Fights, Laurel Park

1:30 p.m.: Kiddie Tractor Pull, Laurel Park

2 p.m.: Bill Riley Talent Show, Betty Nyght Hamilton Bandshell, Gowrie City Park

12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Gowrie Depot Historical Museum open at Laurel Park

10 p.m.: Fireworks