Quad Cities Gears Up to Celebrate America 250 Across Region
By Jonathan Turner
The Quad Cities has some star-spangled fun lined up this summer as America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding – from history come to life at Music Guild in Moline and American art at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, to the annual Red, White and Boom on both sides of the river and Firecracker Run in East Moline.
“1776” on stage
Reenacting the fateful summer of 1776 (with some poetic license), when the Second Continental Congress drafted, debated and signed the Declaration of Independence (penned by Thomas Jefferson), Quad City Music Guild will perform “1776” June 12-14 and 18-21, at Moline’s Prospect Park Theater.
The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life (full disclosure: I am assistant music director and playing keyboard in the pit!) in this most unconventional of Broadway hits (first written in 1969, and last performed at Music Guild in 1974 and 1992). The tuneful, touching “1776” puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.
During the steamy heat in Philadelphia in June 1776, the nation seems ready to declare independence, if only our founding fathers can agree to do it. “1776” follows John Adams of Massachusetts (played by Matthew Call), Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania (Bob Manasco) and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia (Thayne Lamb) as they attempt to convince the members of Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence, voted on July 4th.
Bob Manasco (left) as Ben Franklin, Thayne Lamb as Thomas Jefferson and Matthew Call as John Adams recreate the creation of the Declaration of Independence in Music Guild's “1776,” to run June 12-21 at Moline' Prospect Park Theater.
The stacked cast of talented men (including the intense conservatives John Dickson, played by Jake Walker and Edward Rutledge embodied by Brent Behrens) is supplemented by two strong, inspiring women – Rachel Vickers as Abigail Adams, and Hillary Erb as Martha Jefferson.
Rachel Vickers and Matthew Call play Abigail and John Adams in Music Guild's “1776,” running June 12-21.
First-time director Kathryn Weber said the Founding Fathers were “trying their best to make decisions based on their experiences and their colony’s specific needs, while working with other people, who many had never met before. When I realized I didn’t have to make these men gods, my excitement went through the roof.”
“Now I get to tell the story of imperfect men trying to bring 13 separate colonies together in order to gain freedom from one country’s tyranny,” she said. “I’m so excited to bring this story to life. I’m a social studies teacher in my day-to-day life, so I’m used to telling the USA’s origin story in a way that makes high schoolers pay attention. So there’s an element of getting to tell a story I’ve done so many times with a cast and crew of talented individuals that makes this moment special.”
“I’m very glad it’s my first show here and it will definitely hold a special place in my heart,” she said. “When celebrating an important milestone like the 250th anniversary, it’s important to go back to our roots and learn from our past.
Matthew Call (left) as John Adams and Thayne Lamb as Thomas Jefferson in Music Guild's “1776,” running June 12-21.
“In modern times we have the tendency to take for granted what we have struggled for and achieved as givens because many of us have never lived without certain rights and experiences,” Weber said. “1776” is a reminder “that freedom, while a natural right, is something that must be fought for. It’s also a reminder that democracy is an action, not something that runs itself.”
Tickets are $20 adults and $15 for kids 12 and under, available at 309.762.6610 or by visiting www.qcmusicguild.com.
A scene from Music Guild's “1776,” to run June 12-21 at Prospect Park Theater, Moline.
Free admission at Figge
The Figge Art Museum in Davenport will celebrate America 250 the entire month of July, with daily free admission and these events:
- Thursdays at the Figge (July 9, 16, 23, 30), sponsored by Chris and Mary Rayburn, will spotlight a different contemporary American artist each week through engaging evening conversations.
- Second Saturday (July 11), made possible by Art Bridges Foundation, will feature hands-on activities and experiences celebrating American artists.
- Throughout the month, guests can enjoy a special series of docent-guided tours highlighting American artists from the Figge’s collection.
Red, White and Boom!
The QC pulls out the fiery, explosive stops the day before the Fourth, with Independence Day celebrations along the Mississippi River thanks to Red, White and Boom! on July 3, 2026. Enjoy a dazzling fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. launched from two barges on the river between Downtown Davenport and Rock Island.
Come early and make an evening of it with family-friendly activities in riverfront parks, including:
- A variety of food vendors serving summer favorites
- Kid zones packed with games, activities and fun for all ages
- Live music with popular bands on the park stages
- Free admission
Best Viewing Areas:
- LeClaire Park, Davenport
- Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport
- Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island
Event Schedule:
Arts Alley & Green Lawn, Rock Island 5 - 9:30 p.m.
- Arts Alley Pop-Up Shops, 1719 2nd Ave.
- Giant lawn games on the Green Lawn, 1801 2nd Ave.
- Photo ops with the Rock Island Letters
LeClaire Park, Davenport
- Kids Zone 6 - 8:30 p.m.
- Food Vendors 6 - 9 p.m.
- Live Music (Identity Crisis) 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport
- Quad Cities River Bandits game, starting at 6 p.m.
- Buy tickets for the ball game, watch the River Bandits take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels and after the game enjoy the fireworks from your seats.
Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island
- Kids Zone 5 - 8 p.m.
- Food Vendors & Beer Garden 5 – 9:30 p.m.
- Live Music (Class of '82) 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
In Davenport, parking is free from 5 p.m. – midnight in city parking ramps downtown:
- Redstone Ramp - 101 Main St.
- River Center Parking Ramp - 202 Harrison St.
- Harrison St. Parking Ramp - 102 E 2nd St.
In Rock Island, parking on the street and in the city parking lots are free.
For more information, visit redwhiteboomqc.org.
Firecracker Run on 4th
Fitting for this extra BIG holiday, this year will be the 44th-annual Firecracker Run, on July 4 at Runners Park, East Moline, presented by MercyOne Genesis. The fun features a 10K and 5K run/walk starting at 7:30 a.m., a Kiddie Run at 8:45 a.m., IMEG Mile at 9:15 and Hospital Bed Races at 10 a.m.
For more information, visit www.firecrackerrun.com.
The 44th-annual Firecracker Run will be July 4th in East Moline.
Jonathan Turner is a veteran journalist and piano player, who has made the QC home since 1995 and loves writing about arts and culture. He is the author of the books “A Brief History of Bucktown: Davenport's Infamous District Transformed,” and “100 Things To Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die”.