The Fourth of July holiday is Saturday, July 4, and local government and businesses will be closed for the holiday, including Mount Vernon and Lisbon City Halls.
Mount Vernon Bank and Trust, Bridge Community Bank, Hills Bank and Trust, United States Post Service, Lisbon Public Library, Cole Library and Southeast Linn Community Center will also be closed for the federal holiday Friday, July 3. Cole Library will also be closed on Friday, July 4.
Nearby celebrations
Nitty Gritty Antiques Festival, including many outside vendors, will not be returning this year.
Polly Ann Blythe posted in a Facebook video on Polly Ann’s Vintage Market that the event not being sponsored by the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group and City of Mount Vernon last year made hosting the event tougher, ending the more than 30 years the festival had happened in Mount Vernon.
“When that support was taken away last year we had to decide on the fly what are we going to do, and we decided to keep it going one more year and try and figure it out,” Blythe said. “And it went okay, but it didn’t go great and it was a whole lot for our small little committee to try and keep going, so it’s not going to happen this year and nobody’s more sad about that than me but I can’t do it all.”
Polly Ann’s Antiques, Back Porch Pickers and Artisans and Vintage 1891 still plan to be open on Saturday, July 4, as they have been in the past, and businesses like Iron Leaf Press are also announcing July 4 hours, and encourage people to shop at those stores on that day. Polly Ann’s Vintage Market will be hosting an event called Old Glory Day Fourth of July.
“We’re all going to do our damndest to make Mount Vernon a great place for you to stop on the Fourth of July and we really, really, really hope that you’ll continue to come and support us,” Blythe said.
County/state closures
Most Linn County governmental offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Fourth.
The following services will continue to operate:
• Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
• Mental Health Access Center
• The Sheriff’s Office will be closed however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at www.iowataxandtags.gov.
All Iowa Department of Transportation business locations will be closed Friday, July 3, in honor of Independence Day.
All Iowa DOT driver’s license service centers will be closed Friday, July 3. The service centers will resume operations Monday, July 6, at 8 a.m.
Many people, including commercial driver’s license holders, may be able to complete driver’s license business online at www.iowadot.gov.
Linn County fireworks rules
Consumer-grade fireworks are allowed only in unincorporated Linn County on:
• July 3: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
• July 4: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
• December 31: 9 a.m.-12:30 a.m. on January 1
Fireworks may only be used with the property owner’s permission and are not allowed on county property or in county parks without a permit.
If you’re planning a professional fireworks display, a permit is required. Applications should be submitted at least two weeks in advance to allow time for review.
Please celebrate responsibly, follow the law, and be considerate of neighbors, pets, veterans, and others who may be sensitive to loud noises. Illegal use of fireworks can result in a minimum $250 fine.