July 2, 2014
Summer Events in Downtown Davenport 2014
After this long and cold winter, everyone is ready for Downtown Davenport’s summer events! From music to food to family activities, there is something for everyone this
summer!
One of the summer’s downtown events not to be missed is Red White and Boom! on July 3rd starting at 6 p.m. Celebrate our country’s birthday on the riverfront in Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport and Schwiebert Park in Rock Island. Be a part of America’s birthday celebration, while honoring our military and the Rock Island Arsenal. Events include live entertainment from Smooth Groove, the movie, The Sandlot, on the big screen in the ball park, craft activities and, of course, a fireworks display on the Mississippi between Davenport and Rock Island.
Starting July 4th, the 30th annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival will bring soulful to smokin’ blues back to LeClaire Park. This festival has been recognized as one of the premier Blues Fests in the nation. The Blues Fest is just one of the ways that the Mississippi Valley Blues Society helps maintain the Blues as an American art form.
Later in the month, come back for Street Fest sponsored by APAC Customer Services, July 25th and 26th. This is the festival that accompanies the acclaimed Bix 7 race. Come and shop the arts and crafts vendors, listen to some great music from local and regional bands, visit the family fun area with bounce houses, obstacle courses, crafts, performance stage and activities for the little ones. Friday will include a fitness course for the kids, and Saturday will feature the third annual Street Fest Water Fights. The Water Fights pit teams of three firefighters in a race to push a suspended metal target into the opposite team’s territory.
In August, River Roots Live will once again be bringing the sound of music and the smell of ribs to the air in LeClaire Park August 15th and 16th, with a park bursting at the seams with fans of the competitive rib teams and nationally acclaimed musicians. This year will feature headliners Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, North Mississippi AllStars, and Ben Kweller. Very few places in the nation have this caliber of music and food in the same place. Budding musicians can’t miss the Junior Jam tent that includes workshops and performances by local professional musicians. Once again, bring the family. There will be plenty of inflatable fun to keep the kids entertained. River Roots Live is also supported by Living Lands and Waters, as well the River Music Experience. These two non-profits are stewards of our waterways and our musical heritage, respectively. River Roots Live is also generously sponsored by U.S. Cellular and the Riverboat Development Authority.
This is just a glance at what is available in Downtown Davenport this summer. There are many more events scheduled from family activities to nightlife. For a full event calendar please visit www.downtowndavenport.com. While you are there, you can find places to eat, local shops to visit, and even find the best place to park during your visit to Downtown Davenport. We hope to see you downtown this summer!
