Since 1868, the community of Seward, Nebraska, has honored and celebrated the anniversary of the United States. Rich in community history, this celebration has grown to state and national attention, emphasizing the total community effort. This example of “small town” America celebrating as it has for over 150 years will again happen on July 4, 2022, and we invite you to share this day with us, if not in person, at least in spirit!

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, July 2, 2022 - Pre-Party

7:00am - Self-guided Volkswalk: Sculptures in Seward, Highlight Sculptures of the Area - 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.

8:00am - Open House: Nebraska National Guard Museum - Best public bathrooms in Seward. Air conditioned. Free. Check out the new and latest exhibits. Gift shop will be open all day.

9:00am - Antique Market Opens - Liberty House Bed and Breakfast, 5th and Moffitt

10:00am - Meet the Lincolns and Grants - Chautauqua style. 45 minutes for each couple. Free. Jones Bank Theater at Nebraska National Guard Museum. Sponsored by Dr. Van and Becky Vahle and the Berry Law Firm of Lincoln.

- Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room - Art shows featuring Nebraska art. Unique apple pie, wine, beer and spirits. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.`

11:00am - Bottle Rocket Brewing - Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Food trucks, brew and beer garden.

12:00pm - Junto Opens - noon-9 p.m. 1356 182nd Rd., Seward. Visit the tasting room and walk the beautiful area. Food trucks on the grounds. Live music, 7-9 p.m.

2:00pm - Meet the Lincolns and Grants - Chautauqua style. 45 minutes for each couple. Free. Jones Bank Theater at Nebraska National Guard Museum. Sponsored by Dr. Van and Becky Vahle and the Berry Law Firm of Lincoln.

7:00pm - Presidential Reception and Concert at Museum - Sponsored and hosted by Charles and Jan Matzke. Featuring music by Heidi and Kevin Cheng. Tickets required (free at the museum).

9:00pm - Karaoke with Dale - Sparetime Lounge, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

Attend the church of your choice. See the church schedule in the SCI Special Edition.

10:00am - Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. - Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Brews, food truck, beer garden and root beer.

12:00pm - Junto Opens - noon-7 p.m. Live music, Wildwoods: 4-6 p.m. Food truck: Baconizing, 3-6 p.m.

1:00pm - Open House: Red Path Gallery - Art shows featuring Pam Apley, Tonya Grosshan’s, Lois Smith and the late Professor Reinhold Marxhausen: 1-4 p.m.

- Seward County Historical Society Museum Open - 1-5 p.m. Goehner, NE. See the U.S. flag handmade for Seward’s first Fourth of July Celebration in 1868. Also check out the Images of Independence black and white photo documentary exhibit of Seward, July 4,1981.

2:00pm - Children’s Pre-Fourth of July Parade - Ridgewood and area senior residences. Join us for a special senior salute. Line up at Ridgewood east parking lot at 1:30 p.m. No pre-registration required. Contact Molly Marroquin,Youth Parade Chair with questions: [email protected].

- Civil War Leadership with President Lincoln and General Grant - Jones Bank Theater of NE National Guard Museum. Discuss views on leadership during the Civil War. Sponsored by Dr. Van and Becky Vahle, Berry Law Firm of Lincoln, and Greg and Dixie Zabka.

- Meet First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln - Seward Civic Center basement. Sharing information on her life and insights. 45 minutes. Hosted by the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club. Coffee/tea and light refreshments. Free admission.

3:00pm - 1860 Fashion Show Hosted by First Lady Julia Grant - Civic Center basement. Mrs. Grant will share information on her life and then the event will evolve into a fashion show. Light refreshments. Hosted by GFWC Seward Woman’s Club. Free admission.

5:00pm - Labyrinth Walk for Inspirational Global Change - Inner Maker Art Village, 1693 224th Rd. Seward, NE. 5-9 p.m.

7:00pm - Civil War Musical Revue at Seward High Theater - Live talent show. Music and entertainment of the Civil War featuring the Seward Municipal Band. Free. Sponsored by Nebraska National Guard Museum, Historical Society.

7:30pm - Wissmann Family Singers and Friends - Bandshell. Free. In case of bad weather, at Civic Center auditorium.

9:00pm - Homegrown Band - Sparetime Lounge, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Monday, July 4, 2022

7:00am - VFW Auxiliary Community Buffet Breakfast - VFW Club. Serving 7-11 a.m.

- Community Breakfast: French Toast and Sausage Feed - Civic Center basement. Serving 7-10 am Sponsored by St. John Lutheran Church Music Ministry.

- 2 Mile & 10K Freedom Runs - Seward Optimist Club. 14th & Seward St., park entrance. ENTRY FEE. Forms at www.julyfourthseward.com.

- Registration for July 4 Car Show - Entry fee. 7-10 a.m. Corner of 7th & Seward St. Enter from Hwy 34. Contact CJ Novak, 402-646-5214. See www.julyfourthseward.com for more details under events/car show.

- 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 (Historic cannon to shoot) and flag raising - Nebraska National Guard Museum.

- Flag Raising - Bandshell. Boy Scout USA Troop 256.

- Community Prayer Service - Bandshell. Featuring Brant Taylor, pastor at Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church.

- Worship Music - Featuring United Methodist Church praise band.

- Free Juice & Donuts - United Methodist Church Witness Committee, Seward. Bandshell/Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.

- Self-guided Volkswalk: Sculptures in Seward, Highlight Sculptures of the Area - 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 - Register in the guest book. NE corner of Courthouse Square by Cattle Bank & Trust. Also located in Civic Center.

- MRC First Aid Station/Cooling for Participants and Pets - Next to the Information Booth on 5th & Seward St. Sponsored by Medical Reserve Corps.

8:00am - Exhibits Open - Free, open to the public. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Civic Center.

- Marxhausen in the Military - Photo exhibit of Marxhausen’s photos during his work as a soldier in the US army. Honoring the centennial birthday of artist Reinhold Marxhausen. Marxhausen art will be on display. NE National Guard Museum in their Concordia University center.

- Camp Creek Threshers and SYA Antique Tractors & Farm Machinery - Jackson Ave., in lot next to Alps Bark Park.

- Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. - Brew and food truck, beer garden, root beer floats. Open 8 a.m. Tours available. Sign up at the brewery.

- Rally ?Round the Flag Art Show - Sponsored by the Lincoln Art Guild. Vote for People’s Choice award. Langworthy Gallery, Civic Center.

- Marxhausen Art Corner - Langworthy Gallery, Seward Civic Center.

- Open House: Nebraska National Guard Museum - See new exhibits added in 2021. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 7th & 8th on Jackson Ave. Free. Best public bathrooms in Seward. Air conditioned.

- Displays at Nebraska National Guard Museum - 1776 Soldiers Encampment - Front Lawn. First Nebraska Civil War Encampment - Front Lawn. Fort Riley Commanding General Mounted Color Guard (events). West Property and Parking Lot - Nebraska National Guard Museum.

- Chimes Concert - Historic Seward County Courthouse tower. Chimes 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

- Family Rest Area - Seward Civic Center. Relax at the quiet and calming West Fireplace Room. Includes children's activities. Sponsored by GFWC Seward Woman’s Club.

8:30am - 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 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Free. See the map on www.julyfourthseward.com or get a map at the July 4th Information Booth downtown.

9:00am - River City Carnival Opens - Seward Civic Center parking Lot off 6th St.

- Marxhausen Movies: A Time to See, Findings, and Timelines - To run continuously. Room 3 at Civic Center. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

- Bottle Rocket Cornhole Tourney - Register at Bottle Rocket Brewery, 230 S. 5th St. For details: 402-646-5847. Tours also available of the operation. Sign up in the brewery.

- Book Talk: Nebraska’s Bucks and Bulls - The Greatest Stories of Hunting, Dr. Joel Helmer - Bottle Rocket Brewery meeting room. 230 S. 5th Street.

- Friends of Seward Library Book Sale - 9 a.m.-noon. Seward Memorial Library meeting room. Use west entrance.

- Food Alley Opens - 5th St. between Seward & Jackson St. Food Booths.

- Craft Show: Crafts on the Square Opens - Courthouse Lawn. Best in the state.

- Antique Market - Opens at Liberty House, 5th & Moffitt St.

- Miscellaneous Market Opens - Along 5th St., between Seward & South Sts.

- 31st Annual Street Pole Vault Competition - Featuring two competitions: One is composed of very good pole vaulters, then we will have an advanced/elite competition. Featuring college vaulters in the area and some of the best pole vaulters in the USA. On 5th St., in front of Bottle Rocket Brewing Co., between Main and South Sts. Contact Jason Berry, 402-641-4615.

- Horseshoe Pitching, Herb Downing Memorial Tourney - Seward County Fairgrounds horseshoe pits. Entry fee.

- Mr. Tobin: Young "Mr. Magic" - Magician. Free. 9 a.m. at the Civic Center Auditorium & 3 p.m. at the Bandshell.

- Seward Volunteer Fire Department Water Fight - Jackson St. between 3rd & 4th St. Sponsored by SVFD. Women and mixed teams welcome.

- Pet Parade/Pet Contest - SHS FFA. Bandshell. Bring your pets. Free. Sponsored by Petsource by Scoular.

- Historic Walk Around the Square with Jon Keller, author of Around the Square - Meet at July 4 Information Booth, 5th & Seward St. One hour

- Lecture: The Mildred Adaline Lindsey Story: Escaped Slave Living in Seward County, by Abigail Joers & Faith Riggle - Civic Center East Fireplace Room.

- Mandela Washington Fellows with UNL Leadership Institute in Civic Engagement - 18 African Countries Represented. Civic Center AV room.

9:30am - The Musical Collin Warren and Friends - Civic Center auditorium.

- Red Path & Marxhausen Art Exhibit Opens - 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

10:00am - LUXE Dance Academy of Lincoln - Dancers/Cloggers. Bandshell.

- Mercy City Church Serves Free Water and Lemonade Packets - 143 S. 5th St., 10 a.m.-2p.m.

- Children’s Big Wheel/Hot Cycle Races - In front of Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home, Jackson Ave. & 4th St. Sponsored by Seward High School FBLA. No rubber wheels please. Bring your own Big Wheel/Hot Cycle.

- Car Show Opens - Seward St. between 6th & 8th St.

- Moolah’s Giant 18 ft. Inflated Slide - Cattle Bank & Trust parking lot. Sponsored by Cattle Bank & Trust. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Lecture: Cliff Lowell, It All Started with Columbus - The Evolution of Comedy Through US History Up to the Civil War - Civic Center AV room.

- Hot Dog Feed: Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church - 6th & Bradford. Proceeds go to Blue Valley Community Action.

- Seward’s Ukulele Band - Bring your ukulele and join in. Civic Center auditorium.

- Red Path Gallery and Tasting Room Art Show - Exhibit: Cigar Box Guitar artist Stan Luebbe. 10 am - 1 pm, in front of Red Path Gallery, 514 Seward St.

- Lois Smith-Plein Art: Watch Lois paint in natural light 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

- Dr. Brent Royuk, 142 Seward Street: Story of a House - Bottle Rocket Brewery, large event room. 230 S. 5th St.

- Brewery Walking Tour - Bottle Rocket Distribution Facility, 211 S. 4th St. All day starting at 10 a.m. Free. Sign up at Bottle Rocket Brewery.

- Quilt Talk: Fabulous Feedsack Era by Yvonne Hollenback of Clearfield, SD - Humanities Nebraska. Cattle Bank & Trust meeting room, 2nd floor (elevator available). Sponsored by Blue Valley Quilt Guild. The story of feedsack quilts with samples.

- Lecture: Dr. Jerry Pfabe, Lutherans, Language and Loyalty in Seward County During World War I, 1917-1918 - Civic Center, East Fireplace Room. Sponsored by Seward Arts Council.

- Open House: Marxhausen Studio and Concordia Liturgical Art Center - 10 a.m.-noon. North Columbia Ave.

10:30am - Martin Albrecht in Concert: Beautiful Music - Violin. Civic Center auditorium.

11:00am - Red Path Gallery and Tasting Room - Art shows featuring Nebraska artists and the late Reinhold Marxhausen.

- Meet and Greet with the Lincolns and Grants - There will be specific areas to meet with, visit with, ask questions of and take photos with the presenters. National Guard Museum. Actors for the Lincolns and Grants sponsored by Dr. Van and Becky Vahle and Berry Law Firm of Lincoln.

- Book Signing: Around the Square, by Jon Keller - Chapters Books and Gifts. 11 a.m.-noon.

- Historical Talk: Dr. Jerry Pfabe, Lesser Known Crimes in Seward County: 1909 to 1948 - Civic Center, upstairs East Fireplace Room.

- Travelogue: Dr. Louis Reith, Discovering the Baltic Countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - Civic Center AV room.

- Seward County High School Summer Chamber Choir directed by Dr. Kurt Von Kampen - Civic Center auditorium.

- Pie Festival - Homemade pie and ice cream, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Civic Center Basement, west room. Sponsored by Raymond Pie Ladies, Raymond Church.

- Sloppy Joe/Yum Yum Feed - Civic Center lower level, serving 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. SHS Band Boosters fundraiser.

- Pablo Cervantes Dancers - Bandshell.

11:30am - Bubble Gum/Apple Pie Eating Contest - Bandshell. Sponsored by Seward Rotary Club. Free. State Championships. No pre-registration.

- Paul Soulek’s Piano Presents A Bit of Patriotism - Civic Center auditorium.

12:00pm - Pause for National Anthem - All over celebration grounds.

- Junto Winery Opens - noon-4 p.m. Visit the tasting room and walk the grounds.

- Marxhausen Centennial, Panel Discussion: I Remember Marx - Featuring friends and colleagues of Reinhold Marxhausen in honor of his 100th birthday. Cattle Bank, upstairs meeting room. Surrounded by the Marxhausen Elevator Watercolor collection. Free. Seward Arts Council.

- Apple Pie Making Demonstration Featuring Della’s Famous Apple Pie Recipe - Kathy Hartmann and family. Seward Civic Center, room 2. Free.

- Luxe Dance Academy of Lincoln - Dancers/Cloggers. Bandshell.

- Free Movie: Lincoln - PG-13. 2 hours, 30 minutes. War/Drama. At Rivoli Theatre. Sponsored by Wisehart family and Seward Arts Council.

- Patriotic Piano Presentation: God Bless America The Beautiful by Dana Nottingham - Showcasing members of the Seward Kiwanis KiTones. Musical favorites & patriotic song fest. Civic Center auditorium.

- Lecture: Sue McLain, A Century of Fashion - Mini fashion show and talk. Sponsored by GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and Humanities Nebraska. Civic Center, upstairs East Fireplace Room. Featuring clothes of each decade from 1870-1970.

- Lecture: Stay with the Ukraine, Ukrainians Svitlana Lozova, Olexiy Panfilov, Nikita Panfilov, Olha Tytarenko, Orest Shestak, Alona Guletska and Vitality Guletskiy - Updates and change firsthand. Civic Center AV room.

1:00pm - Quilt Talk: Fabulous Feedsack Era by Yvonne Hollenback of Clearfield, SD - Humanities Nebraska. Cattle Bank & Trust meeting room, 2nd floor (elevator available). Sponsored by Blue Valley Quilt Guild. The story of feedsack quilts with samples.

- Meet and Greet with the Lincolns and Grants - There will be specific areas to meet with, visit with, ask questions of and take photos with the presenters. National Guard Museum. Actors for the Lincolns and Grants sponsored by Dr. Van and Becky Vahle and Berry Law Firm of Lincoln.

- Book Review: Seward: Lincoln’s Indispensable Man by Walter Stahr, discussed by Dr. Louis Reith - Civic Center AV room.

- Concert: Folk on the Fourth featuring the Todd Family - Civic Center auditorium

- Nebraska Tradition in Family Folk Music by David Seay - Humanities Nebraska. Civic Center basement stage. Sponsored by Seward Arts Council.

- Demonstration by Gold Star Martial Arts’ Team Velocity - 5th & Seward Sts.

- Concert: City Municipal Band, Salute to Sousa - Honoring the Greatest Generation. Bandshell.

- Book Talk: John Keller, 150 Years Around the Square and Photographers of Seward, Nebraska - Civic Center, East Fireplace Room.

1:30pm - Piano Concert: Sally Jost - Civic Center auditorium.

2:00pm - Time Capsule Trivia at The Pyramid, World’s Largest Time Capsule - 3rd St. & Hillcrest Ave. Hosted by Trish Johnson.

- Harmonica Presentation and Contest - Featuring Dennis Bowers of Malcolm. Prizes. Free to enter. Bring your harmonica. Civic Center basement stage.

- Wissmann Family Singers - Civic Center auditorium.

- Lecture: Clifford Lowell, Kids Say and Do the Darndest Things - Civic Center AV room.

- Elements Dance Studio of Milford - Bandshell.

- Book Discussion: Marx and Memory: A Multifaceted Relationship, a discussion of Weary Joy: The Caregiver’s Journey by Kim Marxhausen - Civic Center East Fireplace Room.

- Marxhausen Sound Sculptures - With Paul Marxhausen. Red Path Gallery and Tasting Room. 2-3 p.m.

2:30pm - Governor’s Community Reception Honoring July 4th Dignitaries - Hosted by GFWC Seward Woman’s Club. St. John Lutheran Church fellowship hall.

3:00pm - Nebraska Pep Band in Concert: The Red Rooters - Downtown, north side of the square.

- Book signing: Kim Marxhausen, Weary Joy: The Caregiver’s Journey - Red Path Gallery.

- Mr. Tobin: Young "Mr. Magic" - Magician. Free. Bandshell.

3:45pm - Duck Dash - 7th & Seward Sts. at the car show area. Ages 12 and under.

4:00pm - GRAND PARADE - Begins at 1st St. & Bradford Ave. Goes west on Seward St. to City Park. Contact Tonia/Jamie Nantkes, 402-641-8912 or email [email protected]. Visit www.julyfourthseward.com.

- The Lincolns and Grants will ride in the Grand Parade in horse drawn carriages escorted by the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard from Fort Riley, Kansas.

5:00pm - Beef BBQ Meal/Buffet - Inside Olde Glory. Advance tickets at Seward banks. Tickets also available on site. CK Catering, Olde Glory volunteers. Serving meal and desserts.

- VFW Hamburger/Hot Dog Basket Feed - 5-8 p.m. 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. Bandshell.

7:00pm - Concert - Bandshell.

8:00pm - Concert in the Park, feat. Columbus Jazz Orchestra - Plum Creek Park. Free.

- Extra seating and parking for fireworks following the concert on Middle School Grounds and Plum Creek soccer fields.

- Parachute Jump - Plum Creek Park (weather permitting). Lincoln Sport and Parachute Club. Sponsor: Anonymous.

10:00pm - GIANT FIREWORKS SALUTE: A FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA - Plum Creek Park. Tune in to 104.9 MAX Country for music with fireworks. Fireworks lead volunteer/coordinator Darin Urwin, assisted by Curt Coddington & company. Bring a blanket and chair, walk into the park. Stage by Daws Trucking. Sponsored by Cattle Bank & Trust, Concordia University, Jones Bank of Seward/Milford, Hughes Brothers, Seward County Visitors Bureau, Tenneco and Petsource by Scoular. In case of rain, fireworks will be on July 5 at 10 p.m. Extra seating at Seward Middle School and Plum Creek soccer fields.

*** NO PRIVATE FIREWORKS ALLOWED ***

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

6:00am - Clean Up - City of Seward, Seward Scouts, SHS FFA, FBLA, Skills USA, FCCLA, Key Club, 4-H clubs, community volunteers. Meet on north side of the square. Citywide. Throughout the morning. A litter-free event - Keep Seward Beautiful.

Date:

July 2-4, 2022

Location:

Various Venues,
Seward, NE

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