Document - Historical information/data - 7/4/1994 - 7/4/1994EAGAN'S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
In the early 1960's, a local convenience store owner on
the west side of town invited children to form a parade
through the neighborhood and finish up at his store for
an ice cream treat. About a dozen children decorated
their bikes, trikes, and wagons that first year and
started a tradition which continues today.
The Eagan Jaycees took over the 4th of July festivities in
the late 1960's. They added games, fireworks and a
carnival. The celebration stretched into 3 — 4 days and
was held at Rahn Park with the parade along Rahn
Road.
The Eagan Lions joined in the sponsorship and added a
few more activities. In 1995 construction of more
households in the Rahn Park area necessitated a change
in location of the 4th of July festivities.
1996 was a transition year with the parade and games at
Cedarvale, and fireworks at Skyhill Park. This year,
1997, the parade will move along Blackhawk Road and
end at Skyhill Park where games, a carnival and
fireworks will be featured.
Orig.typed 1997
Re -typed 6/11/03/vk
The following is an excerpt from the Minutes of the
Eagan Town Board Meeting of July 2nd, 1963:
"Mr. William Malone appeared representing a
group proposing to have a fireworks display on Beau de
Rue on July 4th. Upon motion duly made and seconded,
it was RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors be
and it hereby is on record, granting the promoters of
the project permission to block Beau de Rue Road to
regular traffic between the hours of 8 o'clock P.M. and
12 o'clock P.M. on July 4th, 1963, for purposes of a
fireworks display.
"Dated: July 2nd, 1963
/s/ Alyce Bolke
Clerk"
I don't remember the exact year but the first parade was
sponsored by Harold's Store on Beau D'Rue Drive. It was a
Kiddie's Parade down on Beau D' Rue. At the end of the
parade the kids were treated to ice cream and balloons all
donated by Harold's Store.
The next year the event was given to the Fire Department as a
co-sponsor. This was when I became involved. We kept the
theme of a kiddie's parade and tried to encourage
neighborhoods to build floats to add to the parade. The first
attempt at a float was an entry by Marble Lane. This consisted
of a kiddie's wadding pool with an umbrella and Jerry Adam
sitting in it on a trailer. The following years other
neighborhoods built floats also and we could always depend on
Marble Lane for an entry.
The parade also moved on top of the hill and ended by Cedar
Pond. Cedar Avenue was a two-lane highway and Rahn Road
was a dirt road coming up the hill. A lot of small kids were
getting involved and the hills were too tough for them on their
trikes and walking. We also added fireworks in the evening.
This turned into a big event in later years.
This is basically what I remember of the beginning of the
celebration.
Jerry Adam
Retired
Eagan Fire Department
July 2003
