Pleasanton's Stars and Stripes event kicks off 250th birthday

Wearing an "Est. 1776" t-shirt and a patriotic heart with angel wings in memory of her grandmother, Jaycee Henry is ready for Pleasanton's Stars and Stripes celebration. (Photos by Billy Roudybush / Linn County Journal)

By Bill Roudybush

Journal contributor

Linn County residents began their celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States with the Stars and Stripes celebration in Pleasanton on Saturday June 27. Organizers and volunteers packed plenty of activities into the celebration that began midday and lasted until midnight.

And the organizers made sure the event lived up to what a small town celebration should be.

The official parade started in midafternoon. Representatives from the American Legion Hewitt New Post  No. 248 in Mound City formed the color guard along with a member of the county's new Legion baseball team, and they bore their duties proudly. Behind the honor guard, all of the entries proudly displayed the nation’s colors.

The color guard from the American Legion Hewitt New Post  No. 248 of Mound City leads the parade.

Local police and fire trucks from the city of Pleasanton were on hand as well as representatives the county first responders. Behind them; race cars, motorcycles and local groups. All were tossing candy to the kids and waving to the cheering crowds as they passed.

The American Legion won first place for the walking division. For the best vehicle presentation award, it was Thomas Sport Motors with a 1955 Studebaker President Speedster. All three firetrucks won awards for being in the parade. Colton Newcome and Renlee Wills won for the 2025 Princess Liberty and Prince Freedom float. The final winner from the parade was sole horse rider, Jaclyn Schreckhise with her horse Cherry, for the most creative alternative.

This boy emerges from the foam covered from head to toes in suds.

The celebration may have been compacted into an afternoon and evening, but it was fun packed. The Pleasanton Fire Department opened a hydrant and sprayed water for people to be refreshed. Kids and adults ran and jumped and enjoyed the refreshing spray that covered the street. With the breeze, even people on the side managed to get cooled off a little. The next activity would refresh as well.

The city provided a dinner for the community that included pulled pork and hotdogs. People sat around in groups enjoying their visiting with friends and families. This was the prelude to the next activities. Bingo and foam were next.

Jaclyn Schreckhise rode her horse Cherry, which had stars painted on her shoulders and flanks to commemorate the 250th birthday. (Submitted photo)

The older members stayed indoors and enjoyed the bingo, Kids and young families headed outdoors to the foam. The laughs and seeing young people emerged out of the foam covered head to toe in bubbles demonstrated the joy these kids were sharing. Then it was time to finish the celebration.

Many people migrated to Stegge Lake to prepare for the fireworks. Others stayed downtown for the street dance.  At the lake, people started their celebrations with their own fireworks.

Red, white and blue are the colors proudly displayed by parade entrants.

Fountains and sparklers going off. Children shrieked in joy. Older adults fired mortars and firecrackers. Then, the show began. The city’s show included an ongoing series of multicolored fountains that waved and changed colors interlaced with rockets and mortars that kept everyone amazed and cheering.

Overall, from the smiles of peoples' faces it appeared to be an enjoyable experience for everyone.

More photos from Stars and Stripes: