Events

7:00a

• Self guided Volkswalk “Sculptures in Seward” – Highlight sculptures of the area – All Day – Starts at Fast Mart, 5k  Volkswalk (3.1 miles) or 10k Volkswalk (6.2 miles) – Free

8:00a

• OPEN House at Nebraska National Guard Museum – Free – Check out the new and latest exhibits – New Gift Shop will be open all day!

9:00a

• Antique Market opens, Liberty House Bed and Breakfast
• Bottle Rocket “Corn-hole Tourney” Register at Bottle Rocket Brewery. For details 402-641-4314. Also, tours available of the operation.
• Special Postal Station Opens – Pictorial Cancellation for Seward’s July 4th Celebration. U.S. Post Office Lobby, Free Postcards! Open 9-11 a.m. on July 3. Honoring Historic Rivoli Movie Theater Centennial – “The Magic of Movies”

10:00a

• “Coffee with the General” Meet General Dwight D. Eisenhower – Chautauqua Style – from the Supreme allied Command during World War II – Free – Jones Bank Theater at Nebraska National Guard Museum
• Art Sale – America Indian Art, Jewelry, and Books available for purchase. Inner Maker Art Village, 1693 224th Road, Seward – 10:00a – 7:00p – Labyrinth Walk – Enjoy nature and walk the Labyrinth. Donations encouraged.

11:00a

• NEW – Seward County Fair 150th Birthday Celebration Exhibit – Historical account of the Seward County Fair’s last 150 years in an 18 panel exhibit – July 3 and 4. A must see! Located downtown Seward – I H Feary Building, 132 S. 5th St., Open 11:00a-3:00p
• NEW – “Flights of Honor” Exhibit – Honoring the “Nebraska Flights of Honor 2005-2019” by Patriotic Productions – Free – open to all! July 3 and 4 in I H Feary Building 11:00a-3:00p
• “Remembering Our Fallen Exhibit – by Patriotic Productions – A photographic war memorial that honors our country’s fallen military from The War on Terror 2001-Present and includes both military and personal photos. 11:00a-3:00p I H Feary Building
• Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room – Nebraska art, unique apple pie wine, beer and spirits! Open 11:00a-8:00p. Art Shows featuring Mike Fluent, Carolyn Albracht, Joe Gustafson, Bert Wagner and Kyle Mock.

12:00p

• Junto Winery Opens – 12 noon to 9:00p. Visit the Tasting Room and walk the beautiful area! Food trucks on the grounds – “Gilded Swine!” Live music – Josh Hoyer 7:00p-9:00p

2:00p

• Children’s Fourth of July Parade – Ridgewood and area senior residences. Join us for a special “Senior Salute” for the Seward Seniors! Line up at Ridgewood East Parking Lot at 1:30. No pre-registrations required. Contact Molly Marroquin – Youth Parade Chair – with questions, tina_marroquin@yahoo.com

6:00p

• Pole Vault Competition. Featuring beginner, intermediate and master vaulters! Bottle Rocket Brewery, between Main and South Street. Contact Jason Berry, 402-641-4615.

7:00p

• Vaudeville Show at Historic Rivoli Theater – Free Live Talent Show – Sponsored by Nebraska National Guard Museum, Historical Society, and Rivoli Theater Centennial Committee

7:30p

• Wissmann Family Singers – Seward Bandshell – FREE – featuring Wissmanns & Friends

8:00p

• Chicken Drop. 10 & 11 pm. Sparetime Lounge. 123 S. 4th. Sponsored by Seward Youth and Community Club.

9:00p

• Homegrown Band – Sparetime Lounge – 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

7:00a

• Community Breakfast – French Toast and Sausage, sponsored by St. John Lutheran Church Music Ministry, Civic Center Basement, serving 7-10 am – FEE
• 2 Mile & 10K Freedom Runs, Seward Optimist Club, 14th & Seward Streets., park entrance, ENTRY FEE
• Registration for July 4 Car Show, FEE – 7-10:30 am, on Seward St. between 6th & 8th Streets.
• Lincoln’s Great Plains Bicycling Club’s Family Day, bicycle to Brainard/Dwight and back or a shorter route, registration at The Living Word Lutheran Church. Approved bike helmets required – OPEN TO ALL – FREE

7:30a

• Anvil Firing, Colonial Custom, Seward Volunteer Fire Dept., Zabka Park behind Bandshell, before and after Prayer Service!
• Reveille – 75mm howitzer fire and flag raising at Nebraska National Guard Museum
• Flag Raising: Bandshell, Scouts USA, Troop 256
• Community Prayer Service, Seward Ministerial Association, speaker Rev. Mary Kay Totty, UMC, Special Music featuring United Methodist Praise Band – Bandshell.
• 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, 5k  Volkswalk (3.1 miles) or 10k Volkswalk (6.2 miles) – Free
• Information Booth/Guest Register Opens. Register in the guest book on the Northeast cover of the Courthouse Square by Cattle Bank & Trust. Second location in the Civic Center.
• MRC First Aid Station/Cooling for both participants and pets! Next to the Information Center on 5th and Seward Street. Sponsored by Medical Reserve Corps.

8:00a

• VFW Auxiliary Community Buffet Breakfast. VFW Club, serving 8:00 to 12 noon.
• Exhibits Open, FREE – open to the public, 8 am-3 pm
  EXHIBITS INCLUDE:
  • 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment – Seward League of Women Voters Centennial Exhibit – 1920-2020 – Seward Civic Center, West Room
  • Camp Creek Threshers and SYA Antique Tractors & Farm Machinery, Corner of Jackson and 6th Street.
  • Bottle Rocket Brewing. Brew and food truck. Beer Garden. Root Beer Floats.
  • “Made in America” Art Show, sponsored by the Lincoln Art Guild. Vote for People’s Choice award. Langworthy Gallery, Civic Center.
  • Nebraska National Guard Museum Open House, see new rooms and exhibits for 2021. Best public bathrooms in Seward – Air conditioned! 8:00a – 7:00p – 7th & 9th on Jackson Ave. – FREE
  • Displays at Nebraska National Guard Museum:
    1776 Soldiers Encampment
    First Nebraska Civil War Encampment
    Fort Riley Commanding General Mounted Color Guard
  • Seward Rivoli Theater Centennial Exhibit – Movies and Memorabilia – 1920-2020 – Hosted by GFWC Seward Women’s Club – West Fireplace Room – Seward Civic Center
  • Yoga Faith Free Class – The Rock Church, front lawn – bring a mat

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

9:00a

• Dedication “Nebraska Women Warriors” – Nebraska National Guard Museum
• Community Church Service – West Lawn – next to the new Alps Bark Park – Sponsored by Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church – bring lawn chairs
• Bottle Rocket “Corn-hole Tourney” Register at Bottle Rocket Brewery. For details 402-641-4314. Also, tours available of the operation.
• NEW – Seward County Fair 150th Birthday Celebration Exhibit – Historical account of the Seward County Fair’s last 150 years in an 18 panel exhibit – July 3 and 4. A must see! Located downtown Seward – I H Feary Building, 132 S. 5th St., Open 9:00a-3:00p
• NEW – “Flights of Honor” Exhibit – Honoring the “Nebraska Flights of Honor 2005-2019” by Patriotic Productions – Free – open to all! July 3 and 4 in I H Feary Building 9:00a-3:00p
• “Remembering Our Fallen Exhibit – by Patriotic Productions – A photographic war memorial that honors our country’s fallen military from The War on Terror 2001-Present and includes both military and personal photos. 9:00a-3:00p I H Feary Building
• Friends of the Library – Book Sale, 9:00 am-12:00 Noon, Memorial Library Meeting Room, use West entrance.
• Food Alley Opens, 5th St. 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
• Miscellaneous Market Opens, 5th St. between Seward & South St.
• 30th Annual Street Pole Vault Competition, all ages, 5th St. between Main & South, contact Jason Berry, 402-641-4615
• Horseshoe Pitching, Herb Downing Memorial Tourney, Co. Fairgrounds horseshoe pits – ENTRY FEE
• Andrew Malan, “Mr. Magic,” Family show, Civic Center Auditorium.
• Special Postal Station Opens – Pictorial Cancellation for Seward’s July 4th. U.S. Post Office Lobby, Free Post Cards! Open 9-11 am, Honoring Hughes Brothers Inc. Centennial “Made in America”
• Seward Vol. Fire Dept. Water Fight Tournament, on Jackson St. between 3rd & 4th Streets, spon. SVFD-VFD, women & mixed teams welcome!
• “Petsource by Scouler” Pet Parade/Pet Contest, SHS FFA, Bandshell, Bring your pets. Free.
• Sparetime Lounge – Open Regular Hours – Specials for the Fourth!

9:30a

• “The Musical Collin Warren and Friends” – Civic Center Auditorium

10:00a

• LUXE Dance Academy of Lincoln, Dancers/Clogggers, Bandshell
• Children’s Big Wheel/Hot Cycle Races, in front of Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home, spon. Seward Youth & Community Club – No “rubber wheels” please!
• Auto Show Opens, Seward St. between 6th & 8th streets
• Walking Tour of Seward’s Historic Square, Seward Co. Historical Society, begins at Info. Booth, 5th & Seward Streets, (tour takes 1 hour) FREE
• “Moolah’s” Giant 18 ft. Inflated Slide, Cattle Bank & Trust Co. parking lot, sponsored by Cattle Bank & Trust Co., 10 am-2 pm
• Lecture – Cliff Lowell, “The Magic of Disney” Civic Center, AV Room
• Camp Creek Threshers and SYA Antique Tractors & Farm Machinery, Corner of Jackson and 6th Street.
• Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church Hot Dog Feed, 6th & Bradford, Proceeds to Blue Valley
• Seward’s Ukulele Band – bring your ukulele and join in! Civic Center Auditorium
• Seward County Genealogical Society – “Ask a Genealogist” – meeting in their research office, lower level Civic Center – northwest corner.
• Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room Art Show – Exhibit, Cigar Box Guitar artist, Stan Luebbe, 10 am-1 pm in front of Red Path Gallery, 514 Seward St.
• Dr. Brent Royuk – “142 Seward Street: Story of a House” – Bottle Rocket Brewery
• Brewery Walking Tour – tour the new Bottle Rocket Distribution Facility – free – sign up in the Tap Room
• Junto Winery Opens – 12:00 to 4:00 – Visit the beautiful tasting room and walk the grounds!
• Lecture – “Nebraska Landmark Buildings” by Jeff Barnes – Humanities Nebraska – Civic Center East Fireplace Room, sponsored by Seward Arts Council
• Art Sale – America Indian Art, Jewelry, and Books available for purchase. Inner Maker Art Village, 1693 224th Road, Seward – 10:00a – 7:00p – Labyrinth Walk – Enjoy nature and walk the Labyrinth. Donations encouraged.

10:30a

• Concert: Rodney Hiser in Concert – Civic Center Auditorium.

11:00a

• Red Path Gallery & Tasting Room – Nebraska art, unique apple pie wine, beer and spirits! Open 11:00a-8:00p. Art Shows featuring Mike Fluent, Carolyn Albracht, Joe Gustafson, Bert Wagner and Kyle Mock.
• Meet and Greet with General Eisenhower – National Guard Museum
• Red Path Gallery and Tasting Room Art Show – Lois Smith, Plein Air artist and member artist of Red Path Gallery. Watch Lois while she paints in natural outdoor light. 11 am – 2 pm.
• Quilt Talk – “Willa Cather and Quilts” -Evelyn Haller – Humanities Nebraska – Cattle Bank & Trust Co. meeting room, 2nd floor (elevator available), sponsored by Blue Valley Quilt Guild
• Historical Talk – “The American Flag and National Unity in World War II” – James Kimble, author – Civic Center, upstairs East Fireplace room
• Travelogue – “Waterways of the Tsars” – Sue Imig, Civic Center AV Room
• Seward County High School Summer Chamber Choir Directed by Dr. Kurt Von Kampen, Civic Center Auditorium
• Pie Festival, homemade pie & ice cream, 11am-2pm, Civic Center Basement, West Room, spons. by Raymond Pie Ladies – Raymond Church
• Sloppy Joe/Yum Yum Feed, Civic Center lower level, serving 11 am-1:30 pm, SHS Band Boosters Fundraiser
• Bubble Gum/Apple Pie Eating Contest, Bandshell, sponsored by Seward Rotary Club, FREE – State Championships! No Pre-Registration

11:30a

• Paul Soulek’s Piano Presents ” A Bit of Patriotism” – Civic Center Auditorium

12:00p

• Pause for “Pledge of Allegiance” National Anthem, All over celebration grounds
• History of Hughes Brothers, Inc. – John Hughes – “Made in America” Celebrating the Centennial of Hughes Brothers, Inc. – Civic Center East Fireplace Room
• Apple Pie Making Demonstration featuring “Della’s Famous Apple Pie” recipe – Kathy Hartmann and Family, Seward Civic Center room 2
• LUXE Dance Academy, Bandshell. Sponsor: Suhr & Lichty Insurance, Seward
• FREE Movie “TBA” (both theaters), at Historic Rivoli Theater, spon. by Wisehart Family and Seward Arts Council, PG, Celebrating 100 years – Rivoli Theatre Centennial
• Dana Nottingham – Patriotic Piano Presentation “The United State of America – Forever Strong” showcasing members of the Seward Kiwanis KiTones – Musical Favorites & Patriotic Song Fest, Civic Center Auditorium
• Lecture – Centennial of League of Women Voters – The 100th Anniversary of the Right for Women to Vote and the 19th Amendment!” Linda Duckwork – Co-State President – LWV-NE – Civic Center AV Room
• Book Talk – Joel Green “Robber’s Cave” Lincoln – Bottle Rocket Large Event Room – Seward Arts Council

1:00p

• Quilt Talk – “Patchwork on the Prairie” Yvonne Hollenback-Clearfield, South Dakota – Humanities Nebraska – Cattle Bank & Trust Co. meeting room, 2nd floor (elevator available), sponsored by Blue Valley Quilt Guild – featuring 30 quilts over 135 years by the same family!
• 1944/45 Travelogue – “With the Nebraska National  Guard from the Normandy beaches to the Rhine in 1945!” Dr. Louis Reith, Civic Center AV Room
• “Folk on the Fourth” music by the Todd sisters and friends – Civic Center Auditorium
• “A Century of Fashion” mini fashion show & talk by Sue McLain, GFWC Seward Women’s Club & Humanities Nebraska, Civic Center, Upstairs East Fireplace Room
• Demonstration by Gold Star Martial Arts –  Team Velocity, 5th & Seward Streets
• City Municipal Band Concert “Salute to Sousa,” Honoring “The Greatest Generation” – Bandshell
• Lecture – “Uncle Sam – Origin and Evolution of an Idea” – Don Hickey, Wayne State – Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. Large Event Room – Humanities Nebraska – Seward Arts Council

1:30p

• Sally Jost, Piano Concert, Civic Center Auditorium

2:00p

• Rivoli Theater Presents “Centennial Review” – Free Talent Show featuring past and present employees of the Rivoli Theater
• Wissmann Family Singers – Civic Center Auditorium
• Lecture – “A Musical Tribute to Doris Day” – Clifford Lowell, Civic Center, AV Room
• Elements Dance Studio, Cloggers – Bandshell
• Book Review: “Shon Hopwood, Law Man” – Dr. Louis Reith, Civic Center East Fireplace Room
• “Whirlwind” Mid Eastern Dancers – North side of square – on the bricks

2:30p

• Governor’s Community Reception honoring July 4th Dignitaries, hosted by GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, St. John Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall

2:45p

• Seward Car Show “Duck Dash” 7th and Seward Street

3:00p

• Andrew Malan, “Mr. Magic,” FREE magic show, Bandshell.

4:00p

• GRAND PARADE, begins at 1st & Bradford Ave. and goes west on Seward Street to City Park.

5:00p

• Beef Bar-B-Que Meal/Buffet, Olde Glory (inside), advance tickets at Seward banks, can buy on-site as well! Also serving desserts! CK Catering – Olde Glory Volunteers
• VFW Hamburger/Hot Dog Basket Feed, 5-8 pm, VFW Post 4755 Club

6:00p

• Mayor’s Welcome – Crowning Miss Independence and Mr. Firecracker, sponsored by Seward Rotary, Seward County Community Service Award, Nebraska’s Friend Award. Bandshell

7:00p

• Concert, Bandshell – Sponsored by Seward Arts Council

8:00p

• Concert in the Park featuring “Route 66 Band” – Plum Creek Park, FREE (Extra seating for fireworks following the concert in Middle School grounds and Plum Creek Soccer fields.
• Parachute Jump, Plum Creek Park (weather permitting), sponsored by Tenneco Automotive

10:00p

• GIANT FIREWORKS SALUTE – A FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA, Plum Creek Park, Tune into 104.9 MAX Country for music with Fireworks, the July 4th Committee, coordinator Curt Coddington & Company, bring a blanket & chair, walk into the park. Stage by Daws Trucking. Sponsored by Cattle Bank & Trust, Concordia University, Jones Bank – Seward – Milford, Hughes Brothers and Petsource by Scoular Manufacturing. In case of rain fireworks will be on July 5. NO PRIVATE FIREWORKS ALLOWED.

6:00a

• “Clean Up” – City of Seward, Seward Boy, Cub & Girl Scouts, SHS FFA, FBLA, SkillsUSA, FCCLA & Key Club, 4-H Clubs, Community Volunteers, meet on north side of square, city-wide throughout morning – a “Litter-Free” event – Keep Seward Beautiful!