The annual Fourth of July parade kicked off Monday’s Independence Day celebrations in Perry, but a wide variety of activities continued until the traditional fireworks display capped the holiday.
Pattee Park housed much of the excitement and bustling activity, as the Showtime Dance Studio performed at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Al Welsh Orchestra taking to the stage at 1 p.m.
Vendors of varies wares filled the park, and games and activities kept the youngsters busy throughout the day. A water-fight was held by the Perry Volunteer Fire Department, who also played a game of “Jenga” with a large stack of wood, using the Jaws of Life to take out a piece at a time while trying not to collapse the stack.
The Perry Fine Arts sponsored a concert from Brian Hanson at the First United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Concertgoers were then treated to an ice cream social.
Evening entertainment began at 6:30 p.m. with the Hearts of Hedon band playing a variety of rock covers along with some country numbers and not a few original songs.
J and M Displays of Yarmouth, Iowa, began the traditional fireworks show just before 10 p.m. The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce raised nearly $15,000 for the aerial pyrotechnics, and, judging from the cheers and applause coming from Pattee Park, the display was well-received.
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The events in Pattee Park were great, especially the Showtime kids. But why not more entertainment in the bandshell all afternoon long like in previous years? It would keep people there longer. The performance at the Methodist Church by the Perry Fine Arts series was outstanding. He is someone who should be brought back to Perry to perform in the bandshell at a future Fourth of July celebration.