by Dennis Dalman
An evening of music and fireworks, a grand parade, games for kids and adults, a quilt auction, a raffle drawing, refreshments, food, food and more food.
Those are all features of the annual St. Joseph Fourth of July Festival that will take place July 3-4 in downtown St. Joseph.
Joetown Rocks.
The annual Joetown Rocks concert will take place on the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, July 3. Once again, The Killer Vees will perform, starting at 9 p.m. That locally-based band plays rock ‘n’ roll songs and pop tunes. Its members are Jeff and Tommy Vee, the sons of the late legendary hitmaker Bobby Vee, as well as their cousin Matt and Tommy’s young son Bennett.
Opening musical acts will be Leslie Vincent, who is a jazz singer; and Chris Kroeze, a singer of blues, pop and country. Vincent will perform starting at 6:15 p.m. Kroeze will take the stage after Vincent – at 7:30 p.m.
Before the concert, after an opening prayer, the St. Joseph Catholic School children will sing on the stage starting at 6 p.m.
The gates will open at 5 p.m. downtown on the big lot just east of the Catholic Church. Also starting at 5 p.m. on the church grounds will be Bingo, games and food and refreshment vendors.
At 10:15 p.m. the sky will blaze brilliantly during a fireworks display sponsored by Bernick’s Pepsi.
Parade
On Thursday, July 4, the Lions Club Parade will begin at 10 a.m. and march east on the city’s main street, Minnesota Avenue. It will include marching bands, floats and the parade’s Grand Marshal Al Pfannenstein and his wife, Carol.
Starting at 11 a.m. there will be Bingo, games, food and refreshments followed by live music at 11:30 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., the annual St. Joseph Parish Quilt Auction will take place in the Catholic church (see related story). Finally, at 3 p.m. there will be a raffle drawing, and winners will not have to be present to win.
