Annual Traditions Return to Prophetstown for Fourth of July

Activities kick off on Friday, July 3rd with the Prophetstown Park District’s annual Streetscape along Riverside Drive. Water and paint will be available from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and the cost is $10 to paint a square. Help the Park District get creative – one square at a time!

Later in the evening, the Park District will host the Run Around 5K and One Mile Fun Run! Run, jog or walk at this annual race starting at 7:00 p.m. or the One Mile Fun Run for kids at 6:30 p.m. Online and in-person registration is available, with t-shirts and prizes for all participants. The Park District looks forward to this family friendly event every year!

Finish out the night at Winning Wheels Summer Concert Series at Eclipse Square Memorial Park, with The John Jannsen Band playing from 7-9 p.m. There will be a cash giveaway with two $50 cash prizes, and tickets for the 4th of July Duck Race and the 4th of July 50/50 drawing will be on sale at the concert.

On Saturday, July 4th, the days starts with the PHS Class of 2029 Firecracker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in the high school parking lot. The annual 4th of July event raises money for the Post-Prom Activities Committee to provide safe, supervised and fun after-prom activities for students. The tournament features brackets for all skill levels and ages, and starts at 8 a.m. The event is supported by the following sponsors:

The annual horseshoe tournament at Prophetstown State Park will start at 10 a.m. followed by more festivities picking up in the afternoon, organized by the volunteers of the Prophetstown Fireworks Committee:

A Bags Tournament starts at 2:30 p.m., with registration starting at 1 p.m. Cost is $10 per person or $20 per team. Kids’ races will be held at 4:30 p.m. for the following age groups: Diaper Dash (ages 0-1), Infant Scramble (2-3), Toddler Trot (4-6), Littles Run (6-8), Kids Race (8-10), and Juniors Sprint (10-12). Each participant will get a voucher for a free snow cone from the Boy Scouts and other prizes. The races are sponsored by 1ST Gateway Credit Union.

Buy a rubber duck for $5 for the race in Coon Creek at 5:30 p.m., with the winner to get $250 in cash. There will also be 50/50 raffle tickets sold in the park, with proceeds to continue supporting this annual event. The rock-skipping competition will not be happening this year, unfortunately.

Food vendors include the Boy Scouts, Sweet Butts Cotton Candy, 3-Headed Monster BBQ, Diosa Mexican Cuisine, and Thicksten’s Popcorn (uptown). The Dirt Road Rockers will play from 6-9 p.m. and the always fantastic firework show starts at dusk. Fireworks are sponsored by the City of Prophetstown, Farmers National Bank, and Rock River Lumber & Grain. A suggested donation of $10 at the gate will ensure this celebration continues year after year.

“We have good food, great music and the most epic place to watch fireworks, and one of the best bands in the area, The Dirt Road Rockers!” says event organizer Tony Wade. “Come down into the park! We want this to become what used to be – we all gather in the park for a day of celebration!”

Follow Prophetstown Fireworks on Facebook for updates and more, and make plans to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on the 4th of July, 2026!