That’s because the long-running Independence Day bash draws former residents back home and attracts people from all over for the massive parade, big fireworks show and all the related events.

Organizers believe they have one of the longest running Independence Day traditions in the country.

“It’s big deal for our little town,” said Kathy Streit, an organizer of the event.

“It’s always a fun time,” she added. “There’s always a lot to do and a lot to see.”

-Messenger file photo
Charlotte Wardell, of Fort Dodge, then 2, picks up candy during the 2023 Fourth of July parade in Otho.

The July 4th tradition in Gowrie began in the early pioneer settler period, in the 1870s. In the earliest years, the Civil War veterans of Gowrie were honored. Together, they formed a military-style brass band, and would lead a July 4th procession, and then the celebration would continue in the Gowrie City Park.

In a very early-era tradition in Gowrie at the first light of dawn, 100 gunshots were fired into the sky, to mark the beginning of Independence Day.

There will not be 100 gunshots fired into the air this year. But all the traditional elements of the celebration’s recent years – the parade, the car show, the food, the fireworks – will all be back.

They will be joined by a new event this year – a kids pedal pull competition.

It will be a kind of tractor pull. But instead of huge noisy machines trying to drag heavy loads it will feature kids pedaling small tractors pulling much lighter loads.

The competition will begin at 2 p.m. July 4 on Elm Street. Children ages 4 through 11 will be able to participate, with competitors separated in brackets by age. The pedal tractors will be provided by the Webster County Farm Bureau.

Prizes will be awarded.

Returning to the celebration this year is a water fight conducted by the Gowrie Fire Department. The competitors will use fire hoses to direct streams of water onto a barrel suspended from a wire. The goal is to use the stream of water to push the barrel toward the opponents while preventing the opponent from pushing it toward your team.

There will be mens and womens brackets.

The fireworks show will cap the day.

“The fireworks are spectacular,” Streit said.

Fourth of July events around the area

ALGONA

Dusk (about 9:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Fireworks

EMMETSBURG

9:30 p.m. July 6 Fireworks over Five Island Lake

​HUMBOLDT

7 p.m. Thursday Parade, downtown/residential Humboldt

10 p.m. Thursday Fireworks at the Fairgrounds

OTHO

July 4 schedule

7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast at Otho Fire Station

1:30 p.m. Parade

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kids games in the park; $5 wristband

*Vendors will be set up at the park

7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free concert in the park

Dusk Fireworks 

TWIN LAKES

10 p.m. Thursday Fireworks

*Rain date: July 5

WEBSTER CITY 

Webster City FIrecracker 5K July 4

6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Register at West Twin Park, 1100 Seneca St.

8 a.m. 5K run/walk begins

Kid’s fun run will follow around 9:30 a.m. after all

5K participants have finished.

WEST BEND

Friday, July 5

8 a.m. Hawkeye FFA Alumni Antique Tractor Ride

Registration starts at 7 a.m. at West Bend Red Power

7 p.m. WBM Cross Country 5K Race

Registration starts at 6 p.m. at WBM track.

Saturday, July 6

9:30 a.m. Parade lineup; no registration required

11 a.m. Parade

Following parade, food stands open.

*All events and food vendors located on the WBM School Grounds. 

12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free yard games,

West Bend Ford corn box, Lego tent

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Music by Stubble Trouble, at Showmobile

12:30 p.m. Registration for Punt, Pass,

Kick Competition at football field for ages 6 to 13

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. FFA Petting Zoo

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free Swimming at West Bend Pool

1 p.m. Kids Pedal Tractor Pull

1 p.m. Punt, Pass, & Kick Competition at football field

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. BINGO

3 p.m. West Bend Fire Dept. Kids Water Fights

* The following events will be located at the Showmobile *

4 p.m. Afternoon entertainment by The Clear Lake Classics

6 p.m. Little Miss & Mister Contest

6:30 p.m. Auction

8 p.m. Evening entertainment by The Nedd Freely Funn Band

10 p.m. Fireworks

Sunday, July 7

8 a.m. to noon Breakfast Buffet at Fire Department,

sponsored by WBM cross-country team