City of Keene/Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade and Celebration
Location: Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium at the corner of Magnolia St. and Old Betsy Rd.
Parking: Chan Shun Centennial Library, shopping centers on Old Betsy Rd., Old Betsy Rd. shoulders
The City of Keene and the Keene Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the annual Independence Day activities on Thursday, July 4, 2019. The parade is hosted by the Keene Chamber of Commerce and will begin at 9 a.m. at Pinnacle Bank, 309 S. Old Betsy Rd. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with judging beginning at 8 a.m. Entries may be registered the morning of the event. There is a $10 fee per entry. The parade route proceeds north on Old Betsy to Magnolia St. After the parade, there will be a celebration hosted by the City of Keene and the Keene City Celebration Committee in and around the Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium beginning at 10 a.m. with the posting of the colors, the pledge of allegiance led by Bugger Putnam and the national anthem sung by Ysis Espana. Inside the gym there will be entertainment, a bake sale, Miss Aimee’s balloons, face painting, door prizes drawn periodically (raffle tickets are $1 each) and a drawing for a Sleepy Read painting (tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10). Entertainers include Espana, Heritage Harmony, Jessie Simmons, Bobby Rael, Clay Read, Janet Tidwell and Langdon. There will also be a 30- minute gymnastic performance. Activities outside the gym include a 15’ water slide, a children’s bounce house with small water slides, pony rides, train rides and fire trailer rides. There will be foods from around the world available from vendors. Activities are scheduled to end at 1 p.m. The entertainment is free, but there is a charge for food and games. All proceeds of the celebration go toward a pavilion to be built at Elisa Carver Park.