This 4th of July celebration kicks-off with a parade in downtown Bettendorf, Iowa, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 4th.  The celebration continues at Cumberland Square on Spruce Hills Drive.  Opening ceremonies begin at 12 noon with live bands, food vendors, arts & crafts booths, petting zoo, mini golf course, carnival rides, inflatables, an adult bags tournament, and more!  Then watch the Quad City Parachute Team and the fireworks at dusk shooting from Veteran's Memorial Park, 1645 23rd Street. www.bettendorf.org

Front Street Brewery's signature beer is called Raging River Ale.

The name is hitting a little close to home for the long-time Davenport business, which boasts two riverfront locations - one between Pershing and Perry streets on River Drive and the other in the riverfront Freight House building.

The muddy Mississippi may be knocking at the front door, but manager Jenny Ash says both locations are open and serving.

"It was a little slow at lunch today, probably because parking is hard to find," she said. "But this flood is typical and manageable."

Ash has worked at Front Street for 22 years and has been through seven major floods. Improvements in the city's flood protection plan over the years have made them much easier to deal with than the deluge in 1993 that knocked the brewery out of business for an extended period.

"When we see the Hesco barriers going in, it's very reassuring to us," she said, as several patrons stepped in to order lunch and gawk at the rising waters just outside the large picture window out front.

Downstream a bit, Ed Kraklio Jr. of Nostalgia Farms Deli said the lunch rush today was more like a trickle. Too many people don't realize that despite River Drive being closed, you can still access businesses south of the road. Still, he's pleased with the flood protection measures in place.

"We're still prepping and getting ready for the weekend," he said. "Although we will be closed on the 4th because they cancelled Red, White and Boom."

Michelle Magyar, one of the co-owners of Mid-American Glass on River Drive, said they are coping with this flood much better than the last major flood in 2011.

A recent $5 million expansion, with a new building on their site, allows them to ship out a new dock to the north, meaning they no longer need access from River Drive.

"We are an island, but it's business as usual although it's hectic," she said. "The city helped us put this new building in and we can now get in without going through the water."

Any business owner that needs assistance with flood fighting should contact Public Works at (563) 326-7923.

The 30th anniversary Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is on for July 3-5 in downtown Davenport!  Despite the massive flooding, the Festival is happening, and the weather prediction for the festival weekend is for dry and pleasant temperatures.

Here is a list of important information about the blues Festival:

• The location is on 2nd Street in Davenport, between Brady and Ripley Streets.
• The main gate with will call and media check-in is at Harrison Street on the north side of 2ndStreet.  A second gate is at the east end of 2nd, at Brady Street.
• Because River Drive will be closed, there is no access to the parking garage closest to the River Music Experience (at River Drive and Main Street).
• Red White and Boom has cancelled the fireworks for Thursday July 3rd.
• The Bandshell (Big Stage) will be at Ripley & 2nd, and the "Tent" stage will be in the courtyard just east of the River Music Experience at 2nd and Main.
• Admission is $10 for Thursday July 3, $25 for Friday July 4, and $25 for Saturday July 5.
• Correction: The free workshops will be held in the performance hall on the second floor of the River Music Experience, and the free retrospective Photo Exhibit will be housed in the same room.  Hours are 2:30-8:00 p.m. on July 4 and 5.
• Correction: BlueSKool will be held on the community stage at Falbo's Pizza on the first floor in the River Music Experience.  Hours are 3:30-7:00 p.m. on July 4 and 5.
• Gates open at 4:30 on Thursday July 3, and at 2:30 on July 4 and 5.

Join us at Shady Lakes RV Resort, New Windsor, IL for their Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 5th from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow.