Marysville is celebrating Independence Day with a full day of fun for all ages! Community groups across town are teaming up to offer a variety of activities to celebrate the red, white, and blue.
10 a.m. – Road Rally
Participants will follow clues on a tour of the countryside while answering questions along the way. Teams try to finish with the right mileage and timing while enjoying a scenic drive through the area. Scores are based on overall time, mileage and answers.
Entry is $5 per person or $20 per vehicle and benefits the Historic Union Pacific Depot. For more information, call or text Glenda Eck, event organizer with the Marysville U.P. Depot Preservation Society, at 785-562-6547.
2 p.m. – Free Movie: “Young Washington”
Sponsored by the Marysville Masonic Lodge No. 91 AF & AM, there will be a free showing of “Young Washington” at the Astro 3 Theatre.
Released in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the film follows George Washington’s early years during the French and Indian War, before he became the nation’s first president. The historical drama explores the experiences and challenges that helped shape one of the most influential leaders in American history.
5 p.m. – Downtown Celebration Begins
The downtown celebration will begin at 5 p.m. in the 600 and 700 blocks of Broadway.
Activities will include:
- Ultimate Bounce and Ultimate Foam, featuring a foam party and tropical bounce house combo, from 5–8 p.m.
- Kids’ water activities, such as water tables, water games, sponge activities and other hands-on fun throughout the evening. (Organizers encourage families to bring a towel to dry wet kids!)
- Additional activities will include barrel train rides, face painting and a caricature artist, who will be available from 5-9 p.m.
- A Touch-a-Truck area will be set up in the Helvering Center parking lot. View a fire truck, police vehicle, police ATV, street equipment and other vehicles up close.
- Free patriotic photos by photographer Caitlyn Graham from 5-6 p.m.
- Unveiling of the community Mural Mosaic at 6 p.m. with a community photo to follow at 6:15 p.m. Hundreds of residents helped create the project by painting individual tiles that have been assembled into a permanent piece of public art celebrating Marysville.
- Hot dog eating contest at 6:30 p.m. The competition will feature two divisions: a youth division for ages 13 and younger and an adult division. Youth contestants will race to see who can eat three hot dogs the fastest, while adult competitors will compete to finish five hot dogs in the shortest amount of time. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on contestants as they compete for bragging rights and prizes.
- Food vendors will be set up throughout the event area. Vendors scheduled to attend include Bite Me Barbecue, Bobby’s Food Co., It’s A Sweet Treat Day Bakery, O.M.G. Pizza, Rainbow Ice and Sweet Sylvie’s. The City of Marysville will provide free bottled water.
- Better Than Roadkill will perform from 7-9 p.m. The six-piece band plays a mix of country, blues and rock covers.
- Bingo also will take place from 7-9 p.m. under a tent, with members of the American Legion helping call games.
- A community fireworks display at dark will end the evening with a bang!
The July 4 on Broadway event is sponsored by OneMarysville and the City of Marysville.
Would you like to volunteer to help make this event a success? We are always looking for helpers! If you are interested in volunteering, please email [email protected] or call 785-562-3101.
