Ralston Independence Day
‘God Bless America’
Your guide to parades, fireworks, picnics, dances and more! A SUPPLEMENT OF SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS JUNE 22, 2016
Welcome from the mayor Hello, all! We want each of you to know that everyone is invited to this year’s festivities in Ralston. Our Independence Celebration begins July 3 with a family picnic, children’s games, pie-baking contest and an ice cream social in Ralston Park, followed by a family dance and square dancing on Main Street. The next day begins with a fun run through Ralston streets, followed by a children’s parade, the huge Independence Day Parade, water fights and the spectacular fireworks display at Ralston Arena. Join us and have a wonderful, safe celebration with your family and friends. Thank you, Don Groesser Mayor of Ralston
Welcome from the Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce Happy Independence Day from your friends at the Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce! We have been hard at work planning for the best Independence Day Celebration yet, and we hope you will make plans to join us. We encourage you to stop by on July 3 and 4 for our old-fashioned celebration complete with live music, games, pie-baking contest, quilt show, dances, food and fun. And of course you can’t forget about our main event — the largest parade in Nebraska. Independence Day begins with the Optimist Fun Run & Walk, a children’s parade and live music at the gazebo prior to the 1 p.m. parade. The entire Ralston community is also very proud of our Fireworks Spectacular, which continues to be among the best in the metro area. The fireworks show at dusk will again be synchronized to music over KAT 103.7 FM. For more information and a complete event schedule, go to www.ralstonareachamber.org. The chamber will be selling raffle tickets, and I encourage you to purchase them at the chamber office, 5505 Miller Ave., or during the July 3 and 4 events. Prizes for the raffle include a catered cookout for 50, a Lenova Yoga Table, $200 cash and much more! Proceeds help defray the cost of events, the parade, and additional community programs and projects. We look forward to seeing you, your family and friends and hope you will enjoy these wonderful, fun-filled family events! Thank you, Tara Lea President Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce
RALSTON INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
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‘GOD BLESS AMERICA’ Special sections editor: Chris Christen Section editor and designer: Tom Knox Copy editor: Howard K. Marcus Contributing writer: Katherine Leszczynski Special projects manager: Paul Swanson This special section is published by Suburban Newspapers. To advertise in future sections, call 402-444-1248. Cover image: Metro Creative Connections
Grand marshal is very familiar By Katherine Leszczynski SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS
Andy Dubbs, president of Metal Logos in Ralston, is no stranger to the annual Ralston Independence Day Parade. He is actually very familiar with how it works. “I was the president of the chamber (Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce) in 2001. Back in the day, we used to set up the stand and parade route,” Dubbs said. “I’ve taken a hiatus from the parade for the last nine years,” having done it for 10 or 12 years earlier. Now, Dubbs is back in a big way. He is the 2016 grand marshal. “It will be a fresh change to spend the Fourth of July in Ralston,” he said. Dubbs was honored with the grand marshal spot after being named Citizen of the Year by the Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce. “It was a big surprise,” he said. In recent years, Dubbs has become more involved with the chamber
through his work with the Ralston Optimists Club and donating various signs and sponsorships. For Dubbs, leading the parade will be a big Andy Dubbs difference from what he used to do. “I pulled the chamber float for I think five years behind my pickup,” Dubbs said. “The first year I ever did it, people were yelling, and I thought they were yelling ‘Andy!’ and waving, but they were yelling ‘Candy!’ I was like, ‘How do I know so many people out there?’” This year, everyone will know who Dubbs is. It will be a busy Independence Day for him, starting first thing in the morning. “We have the Optimist Fun Run in the morning,” he said. “We set that up, tear it all down, I’ll go home and chill for a while, then I’ll go be the grand marshal.”
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M E G A N FA R M E R / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D
The First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry marches in the 2015 Ralston Independence Day Parade along Q Street. S U B U R B A N N E W S PA P E R S
Dennis Baehr of Ralston fires up his miniature John Deere for the Children’s Parade last year. Along for the ride were his grandchildren, from left, Morgan, Joshua and Jonah. Marching bands, drill teams and civic groups are givens again this year.
Independence Day weekend celebrations put focus on tradition By Katherine Leszczynski SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS
JULIA NAGY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Jackson Corry paints on a patriotic mustache for the 2015 celebration. K AT H E R I N E L E S Z C Z Y N S K I S U B U R B A N N E W S PA P E R S
On Independence Day weekend, tens of thousands will flock to Ralston. Over that Sunday and Monday, the city will offer many familiar parties, picnics and activities in honor of our nation’s birthday. The tradition of the longstanding holiday celebration is what keeps people returning, says Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce President Tara Lea. “It’s amazing how it kind of runs itself,” she said. “All the volunteers have been doing it for so long. It’s kind of a ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ thing.” Events begin July 3. The Frank & Velma Johnson Archives, 5615 Woodlawn Ave., will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on July 3 for visitors to come
and learn more about the city’s history. At 5 p.m., guests can hear familiar patriotic selections by LaDonna Johnson and her students. Across from the Archives, things will kick off at Ralston Park, 7700 Park Drive, at 6 p.m. with Picnic in the Park. “Trinity United Methodist Church stepped up to host this year,” Lea said of the picnic, which for many years was sponsored and served by Junior Chamber International Ralston. Another tradition is the annual pie-baking contest. Contestants can enter a homemade pie in either the fruit or non-fruit category. After the contest, pies will be sold by the slice with ice cream. From Ralston Park, the party moves up the street, Lea said. “We will have everyone move See Tradition: Page 5
Tradition: Time to celebrate the only way Ralston knows how Continued from Page 4
to the Main Street area where the street dance is happening,” she said. “There will also be square dancing by Scorz Sports Center. It’s an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration.” People better rest up before the main events on Independence Day, starting bright and early with a fun run and walk at 8 a.m. “On the Fourth, the Ralston Optimists always kick off the day with the fun run and walk,” Lea said. “It’s a very fun event. The website link is live to sign up for it. We’re hoping to get more runners than ever before. It’s a route through Ralston so it’s extremely hilly. It’s very tiring from what I hear, but very fun.” Following the fun run and walk, children can meet on 77th Street to march in the annual children’s parade. “The mayor leads them,” Lea said. “It’s always fun to see the kids there. They always decorate their bikes.” The main event is the 56th annual Ralston Independence Day Parade at 1 p.m. The parade is so popular, people claim their spots days in advance, Lea said, which is when things start to feel really exciting. “When people bring out their blanket two days before the parade starts, that’s when the adrenaline starts kicking in,” she said. “The exact second they can legally mark their territory, they do. I think it’s at 5 p.m. They are waiting out there from noon on.” Following the parade is the annual water fight with different cities’ firetrucks in the town square. “It’s just crazy, all the local towns that come for the water fight,” Lea said. To wrap everything up on the event schedule is the Fireworks Spectacular, starting at dusk. The fireworks launch from the creek behind Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St.,
near the Menard’s side. Spectators can park in the arena parking lot to enjoy the show, which usually lasts about 20 minutes. While everything is almost always kept the same for Ralston’s Independence Day, Lea said that is what keeps people coming. “I would hands down say it is the tradition,” she said. “There are so many people who grew up in Ralston who come home for Independence Day. They are literally planning their vacations to be back for Independence Day. It’s just neighbors telling neighbors. Maybe they’ve moved out west and tell neighbors, ‘Hey, you need to come back to Ralston and see our Independence Day.’ It’s been unbelievable.”
M E G A N FA R M E R / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D
Kisha Ford, right, and Arianna Jordan, 2, wave to spectators while taking part with the Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints in the Ralston Independence Day Parade last year. The Ralston Independence Day Fun Run happens on the morning of July 4.
A DA M K L I N K E R / S U B U R B A N N E W S PA P E R S
IGNITE THE NIGHT AND SUPPORT RALSTON FIREWORKS STANDS OPEN JUNE 25TH 73rd & Q - 84th & Madison - 72nd & Harrison
EVENT SCHEDULE
Here’s what’s happening SUNDAY, JULY 3
From left, judges Diane Hansler, Scott Voorhees and Brad Groesser sample slices during last year’s pie-baking contest.
Frank & Velma Johnson Ralston Archives Museum — Open 4 to 6:30 p.m. Park Drive and Woodlawn Avenue. Patriotic Music Program — 5 p.m. Presented by LaDonna Johnson and her music students. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Frank & Velma Johnson Ralston Archives Museum. Picnic in the Park — Live music by John Worsham Collective, entertainment and piebaking contest in Ralston Park, 80th Street and Park Drive. Pie judging at 4:30 p.m. (pies must be at the park by 4 p.m.) Picnic, music and ice cream social, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Archives House Committee, Ralston Area Chamber and the City of Ralston. Concessions available. Square Dance — 8 to 10 p.m. 76th and Main Streets. Admission is free. Family Street Dance — Featuring Ralston’s own DJ Gordie Z, 7 to 11 p.m., 77th and Main Streets. This is a non-alcohol event, admission is free. Sponsored by Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Louis Rotella Sr.
WWII, United States Army 1927 - 2009
Have a Great Independence day! – From your Friends at Rotella’s Bakery.
EVENT SCHEDULE MONDAY, JULY 4 Raffle Tickets — Available starting at 9 a.m. at the chamber office, 5505 Miller Ave. Grand prize: Catered grill-out for 50 in metro area, plus a one-year supply of Coke products and one-year supply of Hiland Dairy items (one case each per month) and a $100 Hy-Vee gift card. Value $1,000. Sponsor: Applewood Hy-Vee. First prize: Lenova Yoga Tablet. Value $300. Sponsor: Futureware Distributing. Second prize: $250 cash. Sponsor: Great Western Bank. $1 donation per raffle ticket, 6 tickets for $5 and 12 tickets for $10. Proceeds benefit the Ralston Independence Day events and parade. Optimists Independence Day Fun Run/Walk — Independence Square, 77th and Main Streets Gazebo, sponsorships available. For more information, call 402-680-1023 or 402-990-4154. Free T-shirt with entry. One Mile Walk/Run begins at 7:50 a.m. Three Mile Race at 8 a.m. Children’s Parade — No registration required. Event is for kids in sixth grade and under. Mayor Don Groesser will lead the parade. Line-up is 9:30 a.m. at the chamber office, 5505 Miller Ave. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Applewood Hy-Vee. Music at Independence Square – Live music by Joey Gullizia & the G Notes from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 77th and Main Streets. Free admission. Sponsored by Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce and the Music Performance Trust Fund. Independence Day Parade — 56th Annual Parade starts at 1 p.m. at 80th and Highland Streets and ends at
TUESDAY, JULY 5 73rd and Main Streets. Sponsored by: Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce. Parade emcee is KAT 103.7. Grand marshal and Citizen of the Year is Andy Dubbs. Fire Department Waterfights — Immediately following Independence Day Parade, 77th and Main Streets. Sponsored by Ralston Volunteer Fire Department. Chicken Dinner at the American Legion — Served from noon to 4 p.m., 74th and Q Streets. Chicken fingers available. Sponsored by Ralston American Legion Post No. 373 Auxiliary. Outdoor Beer Garden and Live Music at the American Legion — Live music from 5 to 11:30 p.m., 74th and Q Streets. Enter at the door for live music. $5 cover charge. Sponsored by Ralston American Legion Post No. 373 Auxiliary. Fireworks Spectacular — Begins at dusk, about 9:30 p.m. Ralston Arena, 72nd and Q Streets. Synchronized to music from KAT 103.7 FM. Sponsored by City of Ralston, Bellino Enterprises, Wiebe Foundation, Ralston Keno, Ralston Police FOP No. 21, Hillcrest Landing / P & A Management, Dicon, First State Bank, American National Bank, Bank of Nebraska, Hillman, Forman Law Firm, SignIt, Theatrical Media Services, JEO Associates, The Oaks at Lakeview, BKD Accounting, Ameritas Investments, Fraser Stryker, PC LLO, Don & Ron’s CARSTAR, Ragazzi’s Pizza, Omaha Beef, Arena Holiday Inn Express, Omaha Lancers, Papillion Sanitation, and Infinet Solutions. Grand Finale Sponsor: Great Western Bank
Raffle Drawing — 1 p.m. Ralston Area Chamber office, 5505 Miller Ave. Need not be present to win. Sponsored by Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce and Business Members
M E G A N FA R M E R / O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D
Tangier clowns Tony Kimball, Randy Gathje, Byron Simmons and Kory Kidd walking in last year’s Ralston Independence Day Parade.
Jessyah Sullivan marches with the Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints during the Ralston Independence Day Parade last year.
BE INDEPENDENT: READ Library will be open 10:00 to Noon July 4 for Quilt Show
5555 S. 77th Street • Ralston 402-331-7636 • www.ralstonlibrary.org Open: Mon-Thur 10-9 Fri-Sat 10-5 Sun 1-5 M E G A N FA R M E R / O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D
ADDITIONAL “INDEPENDENCE CITY” SUMMER ACTIVITIES
FIREWORKS STAND LOCATIONS
Quilt Show — Presented by Independence City Quilters and Friends at Ralston Baright Public Library, 5555 S. 77th St. June 27 to July 4. Free admission. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; July 4, 10 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by Baright Public Library Foundation Board. Live theater — “Sweet Charity” by Ralston Community Theatre at the Ralston Performing Arts Centre, 89th Street and Park Drive. Performances: weekends from July 1 to 17. Reservations: 402-898-3545 or www.ralstoncommunitytheatre.com
JUNE 25 to JULY 4 June 25 and July 1, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; July 2 and 3, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; July 4, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Omaha Roller Girls 73rd Street, south of Q Street Ralston HS Boys Soccer/Omaha Home for Boys 84th Street and Madison Avenue Junior Lancers Hockey Team 72nd Street north of Harrison Street
HARRISON ST.
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