Seward Fourth of July Celebration

Celebrate the 4th of July in Seward, Nebraska

Thursday, July 4

7:00am  VFW Auxiliary Community Buffet Breakfast – VFW Club, serving 7-11am.

H Community Breakfast – Pancakes and Sausage Feed, sponsored by St. John Lutheran Church Music Ministry, St. 

John Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, serving 7:30-10am.

2-Mile & 10K Freedom Runs – Seward Wellness Center, Seward Soccer Field parking lot at Plum Creek Park, parking lot entrance. ENTRY FEE, forms at www.julyfourthseward.com.

Registration for July 4 Car Show – FEE, 7-10am, on Seward Street between 7th & 8th Streets. Contact CJ Novak, 402-646-5214, or Larry Ray, 402-523-4020. See www.julyfourthseward.com for more details.

Lincoln’s Great Plains Bicycling Club’s Family Day – Bicycle to Brainard/Dwight and back or a shorter route. Registration at Living Word Lutheran Church, 1200 West Hillcrest. Visit www.julyfourthseward.com for more details. Approved bike helmets required. OPEN TO ALL. FREE.

7:30am  Anvil Firing – Colonial custom, Seward Volunteer Fire Dept., Zabka Park behind Bandshell, before and after prayer service.

Reveille (75mm howitzer cannon fire) and flag raising – At Nebraska National Guard Museum with Civil War re-enactors.

Flag Raising – Bandshell, Boy Scout USA Troop 256.

Community Prayer Service – Seward Ministerial Association, featuring Rev. David Stock, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Seward. Special Music featuring United Methodist Praise Band, Bandshell.

Self-guided Volkswalk “The Music of Seward.” – All day. Starts at Fast Mart, 215 N. 6th St., 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles). FREE. See www.julyfourthseward.com  for details and maps. All weekend!

Information Booth/Guest Register Opens – Register in the guest book, N.E. corner of Courthouse Square, by Cattle Bank & Trust, also located in Nebraska National Guard Museum and at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.

8:00am  Exhibits Open, FREE – Open to the public, 8am-3pm. 

EXHIBITS INCLUDE:

Camp Creek Threshers and SYA Antique Tractors & Farm

Machinery – On the corner of Jackson & 4th at Zabka Park.

Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. – Brew and food truck, beer garden, root beer floats. Tours available, sign up at the Brewery.

“Always Ready-Always There” Art Show – Sponsored by the Lincoln Art Guild. Vote for People’s Choice award, Red Path Gallery.

Nebraska National Guard Museum Open House – see new exhibits added in 2024. New Civil War Exhibit opens July 4th, 8am-3pm, 7th & 8th on Jackson Ave., FREE. (Best public bathrooms in Seward, air conditioned). Cooling station open until 3pm.

Displays at Nebraska National Guard Museum – See the Higgens Boat, the boat that saved WWII, and the “Weasel” from the Blizzard of ’49!

1776 Soldiers Encampment – Front Lawn

First Nebraska Civil War Encampment – Front Lawn

Courthouse Chimes Concert – Historic Seward County Courthouse Chimes in Courthouse Tower at 8a, 10a, 2p & 4p.

Family Rest Area – Relax at the quiet and calming Willow Path Care Center, 240 North 7th Street. Hosted by GFWC Seward Women’s Club. Includes children’s activities. ALL FREE! Across

from the Seward Civic Center! Special Fun Community Raffle Silent Auction. Open to all. Free ice water! Also at the Family Rest Area will be a space for nursing mothers!

8:30a  Best Decorated Bike/Trike Contest – For the young at heart. Bandshell. Ride your bike in the Grand Parade! Awards/prizes, all ages welcome to decorate their bike/trike, sponsored by SHS FCCLA. FREE. 

Shuttle/Trolley Rides – Open 8:30a-3:15p and 5-7p. Free. See the map on www.julyfourthseward.com or pick up a map at the info center on the square.

9:00am  Dedication and opening of the new “Nebraskans in the Civil War” Exhibit – Front lawn, Nebraska National Guard Museum.

Scoular Foundation and donors.

See the newly arrived, reconditioned M29 Weasel from the Blizzard of '49 and the PA31-17 Higgins Boat (lower level of the Museum) See the actual boat that arrived from California to be preserved. Sponsored by Cattle Bank and Trust / Dr. Van and Becky Vahle.

Special Postal Station Opens – Postal Cancellation for Seward’s July 4th Celebration. U.S. Post Office lobby. Free postcards! Open 9am-11am. Postcards and cancelation will be all

July and after July 4 at the Seward Post Office. Visit the Post Office for details.

Bottle Rocket Cornhole Tourney – Register at Bottle Rocket Brewery, 230 South 5th Street, 402-641-4314.

Friends of Seward Library Book Sale – 9a-noon, Seward Memorial Library Meeting Room, use west entrance.

Seward County Historical Society Museum opens in Goehner – Open from 9a-2p. See the historic, hand-sewn US flag, made for Seward’s First Fourth of July in 1868! Also now housing

the Seward “Images of Independence,” a black and white photo display of the 1981 Seward Fourth of July Celebration and a host of other new exhibits. Free admission.

Free Water and Lemonade – Mercy City Church, 6th and Seward Street while supplies last! Free. Sponsored by Mercy City Church, Seward.

Cornhole Team Tournament – Details at Bottle Rocket Brewing.

Food Alley Opens – 5th Street between Seward & Jackson Streets, food booths.

Crafts on the Square Craft Show Opens – Courthouse Lawn, best in the state.

Antique Market, opens at Liberty House – 5th & Moffitt Street.

Miscellaneous Market Opens – 5th Street between Seward & South Streets.

33th Annual Street Pole Vault Competition – Featuring two competitions: Very good pole vaulters and an advanced/elite competition. Featuring some of the college vaulters in the area and some of the best pole vaulters in the USA. On 5th Street, in front of Bottle Rocket Brewing Co., between Main and South Streets. Contact Jason Berry, 402-641-4615.

Horseshoe Pitching – Herb Downing Memorial Tourney, Seward County Fairgrounds horseshoe pits. ENTRY FEE.

Seward Volunteer Fire Department Water Fight – On Jackson Street between 3rd & 4th Streets, sponsored by SVFD, women and mixed teams welcome H SHS FFA and Petsource by Scouler Pet Parade/Pet Contest – Bandshell, Bring your pets. FREE. Petsource by Scouler, sponsor.

Book Talk: “Bucks and Bulls,” Dr. Joel Helmer – Bottle Rocket Brewery.

Historic Walk Around the Square with Jon Keller, author of “150 Years Around the Square” – Meet at information booth at 5th and Seward. One hour presentation.

9:30am  LUXE Dance Academy of Lincoln, dancers/cloggers – Bandshell.

Red Path Opens – Nebraska art, wine, beer and spirits. Art shows featuring Pam Apley, William Shaffer and additional artists, plus the Lincoln Art Guild Show. Stop by and watch

member artists demonstrate various media from 10a-2pm inside Red Path Gallery.

Lecture: “Burma Shave Signs,” Cliff Lowell – FUN Talk/ Insightful. Olde Glory Theater.

10:00am H Andrew Malan, “Mr. Magic" – Family show. Olde Glory Theater.

Car Show Opens – Seward Street between 6th & 8th Streets. See website.

Moolah’s Giant 18 ft. Inflated Slide – Cattle Bank & Trust parking lot, sponsored by Cattle Bank & Trust, 10am-2pm.

Camp Creek Threshers and SYA Antique Tractors & Farm Machinery – Corner of Jackson Ave. and 6th Street. Sparetime opens.

Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church Hot Dog Feed – 6th & Bradford, proceeds to Blue Valley Community Action.

Lecture: “142 Seward Street: Story of a House,” Dr. Brent Royuk – Large Event Room at Bottle Rocket Brewery 230 S. 5th.

Lecture: “Time Capsule Trivia" – Davisson’s, at the World’s Largest Time Capsule, 138 Hillcrest Drive. Fun event! Unique!

“Brewery Walking Tour” – Tour the Bottle Rocket Distribution Facility at Former Youth Center, 211 S. Fourth Street. Self guided. Free! Sign up for tours at the Brewery.

Lecture: “The Mildred Adaline Lindsey Story: Escaped Slave Living in Seward County,” Tobin Beck – Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.

10:30am  Bubble Gum/Apple Pie Eating Contest – Bandshell, sponsored by Seward Rotary Club, FREE. State Championships! No preregistration.

Book Talk: “Seward 1974!” – Jon Keller on his new book. A makeover of the famous Harold Davisson “Seward 1974!” Chapters Books and Gifts on the Square.

Music: “Nebraska Folk Traditions on the Ukulele,” David Seay – Humanities Nebraska, Olde Glory Auditorium.

FREE Movie: “DC League of Super Pets” – At Historic Rivoli Theatre, (large theater only), sponsored by Wisehart family and Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee. PG.

The people’s choice - Best Family Movie! Saluting the first responders!

11:00am  City Municipal Band Concert: “Salute to Sousa” – Honoring “The Greatest Generation,” Bandshell.

Lecture: “Lesser-Known Felony Crimes in Seward County 1909-1949," Dr. Jerry Pfabe – Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home Chapel.

Children’s Big Wheel/Hot Cycle Races – In front of ZabkaPerdue Funeral Home, Jackson Ave & 4th St., sponsored by Seward High School FBLA. No rubber wheels, please! Bring

your own Big Wheel or Hot Cycle!

Pie Festival – Homemade pie and ice cream, 11a-2p, Olde Glory Theater, sponsored by Raymond Pie Ladies, Raymond Church.

Sloppy Joe/Yum-Yum Feed – Olde Glory, serving 11a-1:30p, SHS Band Boosters fundraiser.

Lecture: “Mapping the History of Seward County” by Joan Shurtliff of the Seward County Genealogical Society – At their new home located at 112 Jackson Avenue, Open house at new Seward County Genealogical Society from 10a-1p or later.

11:30am  Author Book Talk: “The Story Behind the Story!” by Carla Ketner – A biography of Ted Kooser, National Poet Laureate from Seward County at Chapters Books and Gifts.

Music: Dennis Bowers and his Harmonica Show – Olde Glory Theater. Free. All ages welcome!

12:00pm H Pause for Pledge of Allegiance – National Anthem, throughout the celebration grounds.

Luxe Dance Academy, Lincoln. Dancers/cloggers – Bandshell. Sponsored by Suhr & Lichty Insurance, Seward.

Lecture: “A Century of Fashion” by Sue McLain, Humanities Nebraska and Yesterday’s Lady – Sponsor GFWC Seward Woman’s Club. At Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.

12:30pm  Dana Nottingham and Company, Patriotic Piano, "America: Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness" – Olde Glory Theater.

Lecture: “America’s Outhouses!” by Cliff Lowell – Olde Glory Theater.

1:00pm  Seward County High School Summer Chamber Choir – Directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen, Concordia University. Rivoli Theater.

Lecture: “The 150 Year History of the Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home” by Greg and Dixie Zabka and Brad and Jill Perdue – Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home. See the special collection of historic funeral / church fans.

Special Entertainment – Seward Bandshell.

Demonstration by Gold Star Martial Arts - Team Velocity – 5th & Seward Streets.

1:30pm Blue River Men’s Quartet – Directed by Jonathan Jank and company, Rivoli Theater Stage. Free.

2:00pm Wissmann Family Singers, “A Family Reunion!” – Rivoli Theater Stage. Free.

Fourth of July BINGO – Olde Glory Theater. Free. Prizes. Air- conditioned seating.

“The Secrets of the Pyramid” hosted by Trish Johnson – On site at the world's largest time capsule, 138 Hillcrest Drive. To be opened 2025! Hear it all first hand from a Davisson!

Book Talk: "Little Brown Box Tours" – Pat Coldiron, Seward historian, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home. Discover Pat’s newest book on Seward County, Staplehurst and her Little Brown Box Tours! Entertainment – Seward Bandshell.

2:30pm  Mayor’s Community Reception – Honoring July 4th Dignitaries, hosted by GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, St.

John Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, Seward Mayor Josh Eickmeier.

3:45pm  Seward Car Show “Duck Dash” – 7th and Seward Street at the Car Show.

4:00pm GRAND PARADE – Bands, floats, units, Theme: “Always Ready - Always There!” Honoring our first responders: the police, firefighters and National Guard. Parade entry forms

available at the Civic Center, 616 Bradford, or contact SCCDP, Donna Hendrickson at 402-643-4189. You can also visit www.julyfourthseward.com for an entry form or email parade@cultivatesewardcounty.com. 

5:00pm  VFW Hamburger/Hot Dog Basket Feed – 5-8p, VFW Post 4755, 243 S. 9th St.

6:00pm  Mayor’s Welcome: Crowning Miss Independence and Mr. Firecracker – Sponsored by Seward Rotary, Seward County Community Service Award, Nebraska’s Friend Award, Tourist Family introduced, Bandshell.

Concession stand – Plum Creek Park.

7:00pm  Concert at the Bandshell: Seward’s own Macrowave – Rock music, 1970’s to 1990’s.

8:00pm  Concert in the Park featuring Sunset Lounge – Plum Creek Park. FREE. Extra seating and parking for fireworks following the concert in Middle School Grounds and Plum Creek Soccer Fields.

10:00pm  GIANT FIREWORKS SALUTE - A FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA – Plum Creek Park, Tune into 104.9 MAX Country for music

with fireworks; the July 4th Committee, coordinator Darin Urwin & Company. Bring a blanket and chair, walk into the park. Stage by Daws Trucking. Sponsored by Cattle Bank & Trust, Concordia University, Jones Bank Seward and Milford, Hughes Brothers, Petsource by Scouler Manufacturing, Tenneco and Seward County Visitor’s Bureau. In case of rain, fireworks will be on July 5 at 10p. Extra seating at Seward Middle School and Plum Creek Soccer Fields.

No private fireworks during parade or fireworks display Downtown Seward’s “Operation Silhouette” – Holiday lights around the Square featuring lights on the Courthouse. Seward County

Chamber and Development Partnership. 

View local homes decorated with red, white and blue lights. Home lighting contests sponsored by Seward Rotary Club and SHS FBLA. View the beautiful red, white and blue plantings throughout the community. Keep Seward Beautiful Committee.

Friday, July 5

6:00am  Clean Up – City of Seward, Seward Scouts, SHS FFA, FBLA, SkillsUSA, FCCLA and Key Club, 4-H Clubs, community volunteers. Meet on north side of square, citywide throughout morning. A “Litter-Free” event. Keep Seward Beautiful!

H Plan to Spend July 4, 2025, in SEWARD H Nebraska’s Official Fourth of July City Remember, in 2025 is the Special Opening of the World Famous World’s Largest Time Capsule at Davisson’s. As promised 50 years ago! 138 Hillcrest! Watch for details! 1975-2025!

Saturday, July 6

10:00am  “Tea with Lady First Responders” – Saluting and thanking the women who serve as first responders! Hear some of their stories. Free. Nebraska National Guard Museum. 

Refreshments. Sponsored by the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Humanities Nebraska. Drawings and Special Last Chance on GFWC Seward Woman’s Club’s July 4 silent auction! Honoring the Nebraska National Guard Museum’s 10th anniversary with birthday cake! 

2:00pm  Children’s “Post-Fourth” Parade – begins at Ridgewood and visits area senior living residences. Join us for an informal “Senior July 4 Salute” for the Seward seniors.

Line up at the Ridgewood east parking lot at 1:30. No preregistration needed. Contact Molly Marroquin or Julya and Ayda Metschke, Youth Parade Co-Chairs, for details. Email tina_marroquin@yahoo.com  or Julya Metschke at Julia. Metschke@sewardschools.org.

Date: July 3 - 6, 2024