From evening fireworks to pancake breakfasts, the City of Ames is hosting a long list of activities for the Fourth of July.

Starting after dusk, typically 9:30 p.m., on July 3, Ames will be holding its fireworks festivities. The fireworks will be fired from the grassy lot G7 east of Hilton Coliseum. The lots surrounding Hilton and Jack Trice Stadium will be open to everyone starting at 8 p.m. on July 3.

On the Fourth of July, residents will be welcomed to join the City Council, staff and mayor for free pancakes in front of City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

From there, the parade will start at 11 a.m. on Main Street. Led by the American Legion post 32, the parade will make a square shape and follow a path along Main Street and Douglass.

The American Legion will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary alongside 90 other participants in the parade. This year there will be two parade grand marshals —the honorary leaders of the parade— to commemorate this moment. The first being the American Legion and the second being Mayor John Haila.

According to Cindy Hicks of Downtown Ames, the group formerly known as the Main Street Cultural District, Haila is being recognized because it is his first year as mayor and for all of the great things he has done for Ames in the past.

Alternatively, people who enjoy running can participate in the Friendship Ark 5K race at Ada Hayden Park. The main race starts at 8 a.m. and the Free Kids Run starts 7:45 a.m.

Downtown Ames, is also hosting a talent competition from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. called the Bill Riley Talent Competition. It will happen at the intersection of Main St. and Burnett.

Another event hosted by Downtown Ames is the Dock Dogs competition. The event is part of a national competition designed to have dogs jump as far as possible. There is a long jump where dogs jump off of a dock into water as far as they can. There is a high jump and a speed round with dogs jumping into water and swimming to a treat as fast as possible.

The Dock Dogs event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday the 3rd and Wednesday the 4th on the 500 block of Burnett Street. There will be an amateur competition welcome to all on Monday the 2nd.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated due to an error. One of the photos said the Iowa State Marching Band took part in the parade when that band has never participated in the parade. The error has now been corrected. The Daily regrets this error.