Iowa City marks 175th birthday with celebration

IOWA CITY - Iowa City is marking its 175th birthday, and city leaders want the community to get in on the celebration.

'We just didn't want to have the birthday pass without any celebration,” said City Clerk Marian Karr. 'We hope people come away with a realization of how far we've come, how special the downtown is and how city services have changed.”

Take a walk down memory lane on Saturday with the Friends of Historic Preservation. There will be walking tours of the city's historic sites, starting and ending at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. Meet outside the library at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Also on Saturday, gather near City Hall, 410 E. Washington St., to watch a birthday fireworks show, which will be launched from the top of the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp at 5:30 p.m.

The celebration continues Sunday, with a series of events at the Iowa City Public Library.

Iowa City musician Guy Drollinger and friends will perform at 12:30 p.m., followed by a welcome from Mayor Matt Hayek at 1 p.m.

There will be historic readings, followed by more music from the Drollingers, along with birthday cake and refreshments at 1:30 p.m.

Steer the kids to the library's children's room from 2 to 3 p.m. for Children's Sunday Funday and old-fashioned activities.

Historic Iowa City photos and artifacts from the Digital History Project will be on display at the Iowa City Public Library throughout the month. A commemorative 1854 map of Iowa City also will be on sale for $5 at the library.

For updates and weather-related cancellations, visit cgov.org or cpl.org.

Additional questions about the City's birthday celebration may be directed to Marian Karr, City Clerk, at 319-356-5041 or marian-karr@iowa-city.org.

If you go:

To extend the celebrations, the Iowa City Downtown District is partnering with the city to highlight additional activities throughout the weekend. Here are a few:

Friday

' Blue Zones ceremony recognizing City Hall and the Senior Center as Blue Zones-certified worksites at 3 p.m. at Emma Harvat Hall in City Hall, 410 E. Washington St. there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and healthy refreshments.

' Parents Night Out, 4 to 8:30 p.m., Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St., Dinner and activities. Preregistration is $10 per child or $15 at the door. More information at Icgov. org/pr

' Iowa Watercolor Society Traveling Show, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St. Refreshments and live entertainment.

Saturday

' Arts and Crafts Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St, Arts and crafts and used book sale.

' Celebrate the Season, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., downtown Iowa City. Free horse-drawn trolley rides through downtown and photos with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at FilmScene, 118 E. College St., as well as an all-day 'Elf on a Shelf” scavenger hunt and open houses at various downtown businesses. More information at Downtowniowacity.com.

' Old Capitol Chorus Harmony Chorus and Quartets, 3 to 4:45 p.m., Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St. Cocoa and cookies from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and a musical performance from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

' Police and fire open house, 12:30 to 3 p.m., City Hall, 410 E. Washington St.

' Family night, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St. No-fee roller skating from 6 to 9 p.m. (bring an I.D. to check out skates) and a $1 per person family swim from 6 to 8 p.m.