Bettendorf leaders enjoyed the city’s 52722 Zip Code Day celebrations so much last year they’re planning to hold an annual bash to celebrate the 120-year-old city’s birthday this year and then celebrate again every year.
“On the heels of the success of our Zip Code Day last May (27, 2023), we are excited to announce this citywide celebration,” Mayor Bob Gallagher said in a news release. “Zip Code Day captivated our entire area, and we intend to do the same with an annual event that commemorates Bettendorf’s Birthday every June.”
The annual event will celebrate the date June 5, 1903, when the City of Gilbert, Iowa incorporated under the new name Bettendorf. It was named after two brothers – William and Joseph Bettendorf – who relocated their railroad car factory called the Bettendorf Company to prime riverfront property which they purchased for just $100.
A lot has changed in this city of 40,000 residents in the last 120 years, the news release said, and to celebrate its past, present, and future, the City of Bettendorf is holding a two-day 120th Birthday Bash in June 2023.
As they did on Zip Code Day, city leaders are encouraging businesses and organizations in Bettendorf to host their own celebratory events throughout the day on Friday, June 2, 2023, which also happens to be “National Leave The Office Early” Day. Visit bettevents.org to share your plans with the community. The City will be providing t-shirts, koozies, and drink coasters to those participating.
Also as part of the festivities on June 2, the city will hold a 120th Birthday Bash at 3:30 p.m. at Faye’s Field, located near the Family Museum and the Bettendorf Public Library. The hour-long event will include live music, activities for kids, treats, and more.
The Tangled Wood – located at 3636 Tanglewood Road – also is holding a music festival starting at 5 p.m., where all five breweries in Bettendorf – Crawford, Twin Span, 5 Cities, Adventurous, and Nerdspeak – are launching the special brews they created for Zip Code Day and returning for a Tap Takeover.
The day after Bettendorf’s 120th Birthday Bash, the fun continues as the Downtown Bettendorf Organization holds its annual ‘Be Downtown’ event on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
The day-long event features three separate bags tournaments, bounce houses, food trucks, and hours of live music at 15th Street Landing, located right along the riverfront with the I-74 Bridge as the backdrop.
There are more details to come. For updates, go here.
