4th of July Festivities

4th of July Festivities July 3, 2025 - The City of Bettendorf is hosting its annual 4th of July Celebration on Friday, July 4! For everything you need to know about the parade, the festival, the fireworks show, and more, click here. June 27, 2025 - In just one week, the City of Bettendorf's 4th of July Festivities will kick off with our traditional parade, which will be led by a lifelong Bettendorf resident and longtime community volunteer. The City is excited to reveal that its 2025 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal is Albert "Pete" Lehman. During his conversation with Mayor Bob Gallagher in this week's Mayor's Message, he described the honor using one word - "Unbelievable." Pete will celebrate his 91st birthday two days before his Parade Marshal debut. He was born July 2, 1934 in Bettendorf and graduated from Bettendorf High School after its first year of opening on 23rd Street (where Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency is located today) in 1952. After high school, Pete was a bricklayer's helper. One of his biggest projects was building Lourdes Catholic School on Mississippi Boulevard. He then applied to the Rock Island Arsenal's Machinist Apprenticeship Program and spent the rest of his working career on the Arsenal before retiring in 1988. During that time, Pete became a member of the Bettendorf Lion's Club, which is part of Lion's Club International - the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Pete estimates that he has been part of the Bettendorf Lion's Club for more than 50 years. "We have helped many, many people through Lion's Club, especially through our eyeglasses program that collect and recycles used eyeglasses, as well as raises funds to provide vision care to those in need," said Pete. After he celebrates being Bettendorf's 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal on July 4, Pete will celebrate his 69th wedding anniversary on July 7 with his wife, Colene. Together, they have four children, six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Not to be forgotten, Pete also played professional fast-pitch softball in his younger days. He even won a couple of state championships and was chosen by other state championship teams to play a few times in the International Softball Congress Men's Fast Pitch World Tournament, which took place in Rock Island, Illinois, from 1961 to 1969. "For all these reasons and more, we have chosen Pete Lehman as our 2025 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal," said Jeff Reiter, Assistant City Administrator. "We encourage everyone in our community to come celebrate him as he leads our Parade on Friday, July 4 starting at 10 a.m. in Downtown Bettendorf!" For more information on the City's 4th of July Festivities, please see our earlier press release below or visit our 4th of July web page. May 6, 2025 - With the 4th of July less than two months away, the City of Bettendorf is announcing important information about its traditional events: PARADEDate: Friday, July 4, 10 a.m.Location: Downtown Bettendorf Our parade procession begins at the intersection of 23rd Street and State Street and goes east on State Street, curves around to Grant Street, goes west on Grant Street to 16th Street, turning south on 16th Street, goes east on State Street, and ends at 21st Street. Participate In Our Parade! If you would like to be a participant in this year's parade, click here. The entry fee is $20 until the first deadline of Sunday, June 22. Nominate Our Parade Grand Marshal!If you know someone who has made significant contributions to the quality of life in the City of Bettendorf - in civic or social services, humanitarianism, or through personal achievements such as athletics or the arts - please nominate them to be this year's Grand Marshal. Nominees must be a current resident, a long-time past resident, or have brought some distinction to the City. Nominations can be mailed to Community Engagement Manager Angie Sharp at City Hall, 1609 State Street or emailed to [email protected]. The deadline for nominations is Monday, May 26. FESTIVALDate: Friday, July 4, Noon-10 p.m.Location: Spruce Hills Drive (in front of Cumberland Square) Our festival includes live music on two stages, kid-friendly activities, food/craft vendors, free ice cream provided by City Council and City Department Heads, a free performance by the Bettendorf Community Band at nearby Veterans Memorial Park, and more. Calling All Vendors! If you would like to be a food or craft vendor at this year's festival, click here. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 13. Please note: Beginning July 3 through July 5, Spruce Hills Drive will be closed from 18th Street to Cumberland Square Drive for set up, the festival itself, and tear down. Access to Cumberland Square businesses will be on Spruce Hills Drive near Azteca and on 18th Street. FIREWORKSDate: Friday, July 4, DuskLocation: Middle Park For full information about the City's 4th of July Festivities, click here. Share this page Share this page × Copy and paste this code into your website. https://http://www.bettendorf.org/news_detail_T11_R295.php">Your Link Name Share this page on your favorite Social network Facebook Twitter Reddit Close Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility