T-R FILE PHOTO – Kids’ favorite characters will once again be available for photos at this year’s Fourth of July Marshalltown celebration.

Independence Day is a little more than a week away, and funds are still being sought for a local celebration at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds.

Local businesswoman Luisa Ortega is again coordinating the Fourth of July Marshalltown celebration this year. She said funds are coming in, but more money is always helpful.

“We’re almost there,” Ortega said. “The fact that JBS is helping out is really, really good … JBS will have their big grill out on the grounds that day, selling grilled meats. Everything that they sell from that will go toward the Fourth of July celebration.”

Once this year’s funds are raised, Ortega said all donations and money raised will go toward next year’s celebration.

She said Pizza Ranch, 2305 S. Center St., has helped by holding fundraiser nights where tips and a percentage of sales go toward the celebration. Ortega said the Marshalltown Redemption Center, 401 E. Nevada St., is another community partner helping out.

“Their cans can be donated to the Redemption Center. They just have to tell the person there it’s to donate the money to the fireworks,” Ortega said.

As money is being collected, the schedule for the 2019 celebration has been released. It includes live musical performances by Grand Marshall, Keith Lambertsen and the Marshalltown Municipal Band.

The Central Iowa Fairgrounds will provide a beer tent to go with meals provided by JBS and Maria’s Taco. Snacks like funnel cakes and cotton candy will also be served.

Kids will be able to enjoy bouncy houses provided by H&K Jumpers. The main event, as always, will be a professional fireworks show to celebrate American independence.

The fairgrounds, 1308 E. Olive St., will open 4 p.m. July 4. Those wishing to make a donation to the celebration can make checks payable to the Central Iowa Fairgrounds with a memo note that the money is to go toward the fireworks celebration.

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Contact Adam Sodders at

641-753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com