The Independence Day celebration at Reiman Gardens on Friday night was like opening an early present on Christmas Eve.

Local Ames and ISU musicians set the stage for a night filled with live music, balloon animals and a whole lot of fireworks.

Attendees had a unique opportunity to experience the gardens after hours and received discounted admission.

“It’s just a great time to enjoy the gardens because we’re not typically open in the evening,” said Tasha Waterman, junior in events management and events intern at Reimam Gardens. “So it gives the community a nice way to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.”

While adults conversed and enjoyed the live music, kids scampered around the gardens wearing crazy balloon hats and waving miniature American flags.

Becca Wemhoff, “the balloon lady,” created the hats along with wands, fishing poles, teddy bears and swords. 

“It’s a hobby,” she said. “If it had insurance with it, I’d probably do it full time.”

Wemhoff is the state ID consultant with the Iowa Department of Education and is in charge of the unique 10-digit number that all Iowa K-12 students are required to have.  

“I play with computers all day and play with balloons all night,” she said. “[The state ID consultant] is my job that pays the health insurance. This is the job that makes me smile.” 

A fireworks display capped off the eventful night at the gardens.

Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, events coordinator, said a lot of familiar faces appear at the event each year. 

“A lot of people come here traditionally,” Wessel-Kroeschell said. “They’ll come here every year and they’ll tell you their stories. They’ll come, they’ll set up their spots.”

The Fourth of July Community Pancake Breakfast will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the front entrance of Ames City Hall. Free pancakes, sausage and coffee will be available.

The Fourth of July parade will follow the breakfast at 11 a.m. in downtown Ames.