Red, White and Boom preparing to blast into QC

The annual Bi-State Red, White and Boom celebration is getting ready to explode onto the scene in downtown Davenport and Rock Island on July 3.

Family-friendly activities will take place throughout the day in Davenport and Rock Island, according to a Quad Cities Chamber news release. At 9:30 p.m. fireworks will be shot, in sync to music broadcast on 97X, from two barges in the middle of the Mississippi River.

Free viewing areas for spectators are available along the Davenport riverfront including LeClaire Park, Quinlan Court, Centennial Park and Bechtel Park, or from Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island. Bring your own lawn chair, organizers advise.

They also promise a host of activities on both sides of the river for families to enjoy ahead of the giant fireworks display, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

In Davenport

• LeClaire Park: Identity Crisis, a 12-piece classic rock band, will take the LeClaire Park bandshell stage for a free performance from 6-9:30 p.m. Davenport Park and Recreation kids zone activities include yard games, bounce houses, a NASCAR simulator, a misting station and more from 6-9 p.m. Magician David Casas will perform live 15-minute shows on the hour from 6-8 p.m. Food trucks will be stationed on Beiderbecke Drive with BBQ, funnel cakes, ice cream, brats, walking tacos and kettle corn and much more.
• Quinlan Court: Located at the corner of River Drive and Brady Street, the Red, White and Bags double-elimination tournament will be open to teams of two (age 18+) and take place 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Enjoy a beer from Front Street Brewery, live music and food trucks.
• Freight House Farmers’ Market: From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., check out favorite local vendors selling freshly grown vegetables to homemade treats. In the parking lot, enjoy Iowa’s History on the Move Mobile Museum from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., a free exhibit focused on Iowa people and places.
• Modern Woodmen Park: River Bandits vs. the Peoria Chiefs. Game starts at 6 p.m.
• Parking: Davenport spectators are encouraged to park north of River Drive. Parking will be free in the city’s downtown parking ramps from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Watch out for street closures along the riverfront area. 

In Rock Island 

• Schwiebert Riverfront Park: DJ Jeff James will provide live music from 5-7 p.m. Class of ‘82, an ‘80s tribute band, begins at 7 p.m. Kids activities will include face-painting and balloon animals, as well as glow merchandise for sale. Bent River Brewing Co. will host a beer garden and a wide variety of food vendors will be on hand.
• Parking: Rock Island spectators are encouraged to park on the street and in the city ramp. Ramp parking is free except for reserved spaces.

Red, White and Boom is presented by the City of Davenport and the City of Rock Island, supported by the Downtown Davenport Partnership – an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber, KWQC, 97X, Quad-City Times and The Dispatch-Argus, St. Ambrose University, the Riverfront Improvement Commission and Upper Mississippi Fleeting.