Published: July 03, 2009 11:59 pm      

Riverboat Days celebration offers pleasant surprise

At about this time last year, my wife, Christina, and I were disappointed about missing the annual Fourth of July festivities back home in southwest Iowa.

We had just moved to Clinton almost a week before, and since I worked over the holiday, we stayed home to ring in America’s independence in a foreign town, with who knows what as a celebration. After Clinton’s annual festival wrapped up, we were surprised to say the least.

In a town of a little less than 8,000 people, my hometown (Creston) showcased itself with a street dance, carnival, bingo, talent show, model trains, parade and of course, fireworks. These events take place during two days, with everything but the street dance slated for the Fourth. After drinks, food and countless quarters going toward the local Lions bingo fund, the day usually ended as cheap entertainment.

When we ventured to Riverboat Days, we experienced something new – live entertainment. Sure, Creston had 4-year-olds synchronize-dancing, showcasing talents I never dreamed of obtaining, but Clinton had Blue Oyster Cult and the lead singer of Styx. They may not be headliners, but who can’t rock out to more cowbell?

Also, instead of celebrating for only a night and one full day, the Riverboat Days celebration lasted three days last year, and will go for four days this year. For a price of $25 or $30, depending on when you purchased tickets, access includes everything – from reminiscing back to the 1980s with Loverboy to watching a Clinton LumberKings game, where you can grab a few drinks, watch professional baseball and then enjoy fireworks.

That sounds like an American way to celebrate our independence.

Festivities started with the parade Thursday. I wasn’t able to attend last year’s gathering of floats and flags, but I intend on making the trek to the event this year (because of our early deadline, this column appears before the parade’s start). Normally I’m not much of a parade fan, but I’ll at least give this a year a try, just to see if it meets my approval of short, sweet and temperatures registering less than 100.

During the festival, I’m looking forward to the demolition derby, bands (who won’t look for a large amount of stairs to run up during “Eye of the Tiger”) and walking around the grounds, enjoying the long weekend. When I tire from strolling through the grounds, Christina and I will wander off to the bingo tent.

We don’t attend regular bingo sessions, but we can waste about two hours, coughing up quarters to the apparently nice Prince of Peace bingo workers. We aren’t fooled, though.

They’ll tempt you with one card, giving you false confidence after working your way to almost filling a bingo line. Tempted, we decide to chance fate and work our way to two cards apiece. After near misses, deductive reasoning tells you the more cards you have, the better odds you have. By the end, we’re usually lost, looking for the nearest ATM to quench our bingo fix.

Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but this year, I’m going big or going home. We’re taking out multiple cards early to hopefully improve on our career $9.50 winnings.

We’ll definitely feel better about staying in Clinton for this year’s birthday celebration for America. No matter what you’re looking forward to this Fourth of July, whether it is watching kids play a video game guitar or lounging with the family taking in the fireworks, enjoy what the area has to offer and be safe.



Scott Levine is the Associate Editor at the Clinton Herald. He has worked at the Herald since 2008. You can reach him at scottlevine@clintonherald.com.