After months of planning, grand celebration is near

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

There was no Independence Day parade in Van Wert last year. Navy Ship Club 726 Commander Ken Myers wasn’t about to let that happen this July 4, the day America celebrates its Semiquincentennial – the country’s 250th birthday.

Immediately after last year’s July 4 holiday, Myers and Navy Ship Club 726 began planning for the return of the annual Independence Day parade to Van Wert, plus a lot more – a fitting celebration for a milestone day.

“We wanted to put an extra emphasis on America so that’s something we made sure were were doing from the very beginning,” Myers said. “We weren’t trying to shortchange the community. We actually put in a lot more hours than you would for a normal parade. It’s been a little challenging at times but it’s also going to be, hopefully, very rewarding for the community.”

One of the most common questions leading up to July 4 is “what time is the parade?” The answer to that question is 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade will travel west on Main St., going from the YWCA to the YMCA. Lineup will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the NSCC Van Wert Campus parking lot.

“We have over 50 (parade) units but we are still getting entries,” Myers said this week. “It’s been a nice reach-out from the community to do this.”

A special part of the July 4 celebration will be a flyover. Myers said he’s still waiting to hear from officials in Washington, DC to learn exactly what type of military aircraft will take to the skies over Van Wert.

The celebration isn’t confined to just the July 4 parade. A full schedule of events and offerings, which includes a pair of free concerts at Fountain Park, is listed below.

While Myers and Navy Club Ship 726 took the reigns to ensure a proper 250th celebration, he acknowleged the group received a lot of help.

“Some of the community has really stepped up and helped us fund this weekend,” he said.

Along with Navy Club Ship 726, major sponsors of the celebration include Wild Willy’s, Van Wert Memorials, Truland Equipment, Burcham Print Shop, First Federal Van Wert, the Van Wert Rotary Club, Visit Van Wert, the Van Wert County Foundation and Rose Myers. 

July 3-4 schedule for downtown Van Wert

Friday July 3

• 8 a.m. – Vendors to set up and food trucks
• 11 a.m. – Food trucks and concession stand and craft vendors open
• 4 p.m. – Bounce house open (free to public)
• 7 p.m. – Fort Wayne-based Super Hawk, a classic rock band, will perform live on stage at band shelter at Fountain Park (free to public)
• Karaoke/DJ immediately after the live show
• Fountain Park will close at midnight

Saturday July 4

• 8 a.m. – Vendors to set up and food trucks
• 11 a.m. – Independence Day parade down Main St. (YWCA to YMCA)
• 12 p.m. – Food trucks and concession stand and craft vendors open, bounce house open (free to public)
• 1 p.m. – Car Cruise-In at corner of Jefferson St. and Central Ave.
• 7:30 p.m. – Pete Schlegel will perform live on stage at band shelter at the Fountain Park (free to public)
• Karaoke/DJ immediately after the live show