4th of July Holiday Weekend 2022

Say “Goodbye, June” and “Hello, July” - Independence Day Weekend 2022 means plenty of food, fun, and fireworks. Gather your friends and family and join in on all the patriotic fun going on this long holiday weekend in the Quad Cities.

Friday, July 1

Start the weekend with the Mercado on Fifth Summer Market. This free, open-air cultural event features food trucks, produce and retail vendors, live entertainment, and plenty of educational activities for the little ones. Come immerse yourself in a unique experience with Mexican cuisine and everything from jewelry to hand-sewn blouses and imported ceramics.

The John Deere Classic has tournament play July 1-3. Watch top golf pros compete during this PGA TOUR event at the TPC Deere Run golf course in Silvis.  The John Deere Classic celebrates its 51st anniversary this year.

If baseball is more your speed, the River Bandits will host the Peoria Chiefs at 6:30 pm on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. If you’re planning on viewing the fireworks on July 3rd from the stadium, tickets to the game must be purchased. Get your tickets quickly though, this game is expected to sell out.

Saturday, July 2

The Freight House Farmers Market will have its regular Saturday farmer’s market from 8-1 pm.

Patti Vasquez, a Chicago native, got her start as an emcee at Zanies Comedy Club and now headlines comedy clubs and colleges all over the United States, Canada and Europe. She has written and performed several hit solo shows for theater audiences. Get tickets to see her at the Renwick Mansion.

Sunday, July 3

• Red, White & Boom is back! There will be plenty to do before the fireworks at 9:30 pm. 
• The Freight House Farmer’s Market will also be open from 10 am-2 pm, with multiple vendors selling produce, snacks, and homemade gifts.
• Starting at Quinlan Court from 1-5 pm there will be music, a bags tournament, food trucks, and more. 
• Across the river in Schwiebert Park, starting at 5 pm through 6:30 pm is more fun including face painting for the kiddos and plenty of food vendors for everyone to find something they’ll like. 
• In LeClaire Park in Davenport at 6:00 pm, leading up to the fireworks, there will be entertainment, a kids’ zone, and enough food and drinks for everyone who’s hungry. 
• Fireworks will be launched from two barges in the Mississippi River at 9:30 p.m., with viewing area from LeClaire Park, Quinlan Court, Centennial Park, Bechtel Park, and Schwiebert Riverfront Park. Tune in to 97X and listen to the fireworks soundtrack. Feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. 

Gunchie’s is having their 4th of July Celebration with Mad Hatter volleyball starting at 3 pm, and fireworks when it gets dark out. A DJ will be playing music throughout the volleyball tournament, and you can step into the spotlight for karaoke after the fireworks.

East Moline Fireworks – Fireworks at dusk in River Bend Park with family activities before the fireworks starting at 6:30 p.m. with Children’s activities, along with live music, and food and beverage vendors, all leading up to the fireworks.

If you’re into impressive water sports, the Backwater Gamblers will have a water ski show on July 3 AND July 4 from 6:30-8 pm, on Rock River in Rock Island. They have consistently been among the top five show ski teams at the National Water Ski Show Tournament. They are a family-oriented organization, with families making up the majority of the club’s 120 members who range in age from 0 to 70.

Find the current Backwater Gamblers schedule here

Monday, July 4

• The East Moline Fire Department is kicking things off early with their EM Fire Department Pancake Breakfast from 6:30 am-11 am. The cost is only $6 for adults and $3 for kids. All proceeds benefit the local chapter of the MDA.
• The Annual Genesis Firecracker Run is celebrating 40 years. There are races for everyone, so you can choose to run the 5k, the 10k, the 1-mile, or participate in the virtual run. There is also a kiddie run for the little ones and a package for the whole family.
• Exploring the history of America through music from multiple genres, the 64th Annual East Moline 4^th of July Parade promises to be a celebration of everything that makes us proud to be living in America. The parade will travel along 15th Avenue beginning at 1 pm.

• Kicking off the fun in the Bettendorf 4th of July is the Parade at 10 am.
• At 11 am the Kidzone opens. With bounce houses, water slides, petting zoos, and more, the kiddos will have plenty to do!
• Then at noon, the 4th of July Festival begins, featuring food vendors, free ice cream until 2 pm, and music by the Bettendorf Park Band at 7:30 pm. There will also be performances by high-energy rock band Fair Warning from 4-6 pm at Cumberland Square.
• The spectacular fireworks show begins at dusk in Middle Park, so end the evening by bringing your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show.

Muscatine’s 4th of July Parade will begin at 4:00 pm on July 4th, in Downtown Muscatine. The theme will be Blast from the Past, celebrating different decades with a patriotic twist. There will also be an Almost Fireworks Fest on the Riverfront from 5-8 pm. With live music, food vendors, a beverage tent, bounce houses, you can enjoy a live performance by the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, followed by the Fireworks over the Mississippi.