City of Emmetsburg Newsletter

RAGBRAI! RAGBRAI! RAGBRAI!

The Emmetsburg Police Department has a few key notes to highlight with RAGBRAI coming to town. Please remember to be safe and preplan for July 26th and the days leading up to it.

Starting July 23rd to July 27th, the Emmetsburg Police Department will NOT be issuing overnight parking tickets. If you plan to park on the street, we ask that you notify us. This will provide assistance to Officer's in locating owners should there be a problem.

If you are hosting riders or plan to have family/friends in town, we have designated the North and West sides of the roads as the "parking areas" for overflow vehicles, buses, campers, etc. (unless already marked with NO PARKING signs). A lot of our residential roads do not have enough room to park vehicles on both sides, so please try to keep everyone to one side. Remember, you may be able to fit a car through some spots, but fire trucks and ambulances need more room. Also, do not allow power cords or water lines to lay across the roadways and sidewalks.

If and when possible, back your vehicle into driveways. It is always safer to drive onto the roadways with a better line-of-sight then to back out. Bikes can be hard to see, so it's time to go back to the basics... Look, look again, and look one more time before pulling into traffic.

There will be numerous road closures throughout Emmetsburg, temporary "NO PARKING" areas, designated bike routes, and additional changes in preparation for a safe RAGBRAI. Information on the changes can be found throughout social media and the local news outlets. Stay tuned for more information to come. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Emmetsburg Police Department at 712-852-2424.

Chief Ryan Veldboom
Emmetsburg Police Department

City Announcements

Closed July 4th

Emmetsburg City Hall and Emmetsburg Municipal Utilties (EMU) offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th in honor of Independence Day. Monday's solid waste route will be collected on Tuesday, July 5th.

4th of July Fireworks

There will be Fireworks over Five Island Lake (First Island) at dusk on July 4.

Use of Fireworks Prohibited

Independence Day is a wonderful time for family fun and celebration. As a reminder, the City of Emmetsburg DOES NOT allow the use of Fireworks within the City Limits. This can be confusing to some since there are Fireworks for sale within the city limits, but you can't use them within the City limits of Emmetsburg.

The sale and use of fireworks are two separate topics.

The sale of Fireworks in Emmetsburg is allowed as long as the vendor meets the State and City requirements, and are properly registered, insured and permitted with City Hall (A full list of requirements can be found in the Emmetsburg City Code).

The use of Fireworks are prohibited within the city limits under Emmetsburg City Code. In 2017 The State of Iowa allowed municipalities to decide if they would allow the use of Fireworks. In 2018 The Emmetsburg City Council voted on the topic which resulted in a split vote of 3 to 3. The Mayor at the time, voted against the use of fireworks which broke the tie, thus resulting the prohibited use of Fireworks within the City limits of Emmetsburg. A violation of the Emmetsburg Code for using fireworks may result in criminal charges.

Please do not use fireworks in Emmetsburg and have a safe, enjoyable 4th of July.

- Chief Ryan Veldboom

Fun on the Fourth & Fireworks!

Message from the Chamber of Commerce

It’s time to plan for the Fun on the Fourth activities at Soper Park on July 4! The VFW will host the traditional children’s games in the morning at 9:00am, and City Rec will hold a 3-on-3 basketball competition for girls and boys going into 5-8th grades at 10:00am. Teams for co-ed sand volleyball tournament may register at the Chamber. The Municipal Band will play their final concert of the season. The concert will begin with a VFW Color Guard. Watch for details to be announced.

Fireworks over Five Island Lake will begin at dusk. The City is seeking donations in support of the fireworks from local businesses, organizations and our citizens. Last year over $7,000 was raised through private donations. We could use your help! Would you consider making a heart-felt donation this year toward this worthy cause?

All donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off at City Hall at 2021 Main. Checks made payable to “Fireworks Fund” can be mailed to: Emmetsburg City Hall, % Fireworks Fund, PO Box 417, Emmetsburg, IA 50536. Donors will be recognized in the Emmetsburg Reporter/Democrat.

Deb Hite

Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283

Stay in touch with the Chamber on Facebook

Cleaning Our Community, Just in Time for Summer

July is going to be a busy month in northwest Iowa; RAGBRAI, County Fairs, and our state’s largest river cleanup! With the scorching summer heat, local water recreation opportunities will be especially intriguing. One such opportunity, Iowa Project AWARE, will not only offer respite from the heat, but this aquatic adventure will also seek to improve the West Fork of the Des Moines River by cleaning up any unsightly and dangerous trash.

Iowa Project AWARE, which stands for A Watershed Awareness River Expedition, is hosting their 19th annual volunteer river clean up. The event moves to a different river each year and this year’s event will be on the West Fork of the Des Moines River. This July, hundreds of volunteers will jump eagerly into their canoes to pull anything and everything, from soda cans to tires, out of the river.

"We are excited that Project AWARE has selected the Des Moines River in Palo Alto County and are looking forward to increasing the quality of our river while promoting awareness among the public. A river clean-up will allow visitors and residents of the county to take pride in keeping our river beautiful," said Rob Allen, Palo Alto County Conservation Director.

Starting in Jackson County, Minnesota on July 11, volunteers will make their way down 61 river miles through Emmet and Palo Alto counties. The route includes all 29 miles of the newly dedicated Water Trail in Emmet County. Volunteers and community members alike are excited to experience the river and its watershed scenery, and make it better for those who come after them. Not only is it more enjoyable to recreate in a clean river, but it is better for community health. The majority of trash thrown to the wayside of our streets and sidewalks can eventually make its way to our water systems through intricate networks
of storm sewers, streams and rivers. And, with no one entity responsible for cleaning our rivers, their preservation falls to dedicated community members.

“The City of Emmetsburg is ecstatic that the West Fork of the Des Moines River is the focus of this year’s Iowa Project AWARE,” said Kimberly Kibbie, City Administrator for the City of Emmetsburg. “We applaud the efforts of the volunteers to improve our river for everyone to enjoy.” The City of Emmetsburg will be hosting Iowa Project AWARE July 13-15 at Harrison Park.

Don’t worry, it's not all heavy labor the week of Iowa Project AWARE. In the evenings, volunteers camp together and participate in educational programs highlighting the area’s unique archaeology, geology, natural resources and history, along with fun outdoor activities, including an outdoor skills challenge.

If you are interested in joining the clean up effort, space is still available on Friday, July 15. Thanks to high demand and interest in this adventurous cleanup, the rest of the days have been sold out. Evening educational programs at the campgrounds, however, are free and open to the public with no registration required.

Iowa Project AWARE is coordinated by N-Compass, Inc. For more information on this event including the daily schedule of events and evening educational programs, please visit www.iowaprojectaware.org.

Live After Six at The Shores

The Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce is hosting Live After Six on the veranda at The Shores at Five Island this Thursday, June 16th. This week One Layne Band will be performing from 6:30-9:30 PM. This is a FREE performance sponsored by Palo Alto County Health System (PACHS).

Come by car or come by boat! Bring your lawn or bag chairs and enjoy the music and Five Island Lake from the greenspace between the veranda and the lakeshore.

Save the date for future performances! The Chamber will host Live After Six again on Thursday, July 21st (entertainment to be announced), and Midland Vibe will be performing on Thursday, August 18th.

Upcoming Library Programing

Summer Fun at the Emmetsburg Public Library!

Minute to Win It

June 16 - 2:00-3:30 PM

Come compete against your friends in these minute long challenges. The overall winner for the day will receive a special prize. Participants will receive points towards their Summer Reading goals. For ages 8 and up.

Preschool-4th Grade Movie Day

June 17 - 1:00-2:30 PM

Bring a pillow and a blanket and watch one of the library’s favorite movies. Refreshments will be provided! Please call ahead for title information. Attendance at this program counts towards Summer Reading goals!!

After Hours Board Games

June 18 - 2:30-5:00 PM

Come learn to play one of the designer board games from the library’s collection. Newbies and advanced players are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. For teens and adults. Attendance at this program counts towards Summer Reading goals!!

Blind Taste Test

June 22 - 2:00-3:30 PM

Come taste some well-known, and maybe not so well-known foods. We’ll compare generic to name brand and see which is the most popular. Please sign up for this program by calling the front desk and alert the librarian to any potential allergens. Attendance at this program counts towards Summer Reading goals!! Ages 8 and up.

Pokemon Training Camp

June 24 - 2:00-4:00 PM

Join us for another monthly installment of our most popular trading card program. Come train with a Pokemon master to learn how to play the popular trading card game! Attendance at this program counts towards Summer Reading goals!! Please sign up in advance. Ages 8 and up.

Adult/Parent NAMI Ending the Silence Program

June 28 - 6:00-7:30 PM

NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. Attendance at this program counts towards Summer Reading goals!!

Arm Knitting

June 30 - 2:00-3:00 PM

Come learn how to arm knit. There are so many fun accessories and pieces that you can make with only your arms and some yarn! Time depending, Finger knitting and floor knitting may also be taught! For ages 10 and up. Please sign up in advance. Attendance at this program counts towards Summer Reading goals!!

View more library events at https://www.emmetsburg.lib.ia.us/events.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

VFW Bingo

Mondays - Light meal at 5:30 PM and regular BINGO from 6:45-9:00 PM @ Emmetsburg VFW

Food Pantry
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 5:00-6:30 PM @ Grace Baptist Church

TOPS® Meeting
Wednesdays at 4:15 PM @ Iowa Welcome Center

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM @ Family Life Center

Tea Time Cinema

Thursdays at 2:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library

Classic movie is shown + tea is served. Free and open to all.

Call library for titles showing and more info: 712-852-4009.

Emmetsburg Municipal Band Concert

Thursdays at 7:00 PM @ Soper Park

Farmer's Market

Thursdays from 12:00-5:00 PM & Saturdays from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Starting June 16th - Located on 10th Street along Courthouse Square

Kindergarten-4th Grade Storytime

June 15 from 10:30-11:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library

Minute to Win It

June 16 from 2:00-3:30 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library

Live After Six ft. One Layne Band

June 16 from 6:30-9:30 PM @ The Shores at Five Island

Live After Six on the Veranda is coordinated by the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce. This performance is sponsored by Palo Alto County Health System (PACHS).