(Quad Cities) -- Red, White & Boom organizers and officials at the Rock Island Arsenal have joined forces this year to give the Quad Cities a bi-state celebration that won't soon be forgotten. From one of the largest fireworks displays from Omaha to Chicago, to live music by the Navy band and the Spirit of the USO Band, Red, White & Boom - America's Birthday Party - promises to deliver plenty of patriotic family fun.
"With over 2,400 shells weighing in at an impressive 2,550 pounds, this will easily be the largest fireworks display for Red White & Boom and also one the biggest displays throughout the Midwest up and down the Mississippi River," said Ken Croken, Red White & Boom committee chairman. "We also have a few fun surprises in store for the community, too."
With Red, White & Boom scheduled for July 3, the AMVETS 4th of July Parade themed Hooah! Quad Cities, and the Rock Island Arsenal's 150th Anniversary celebration coming up July 7, there is nearly a week of fireworks, music, food and remembrance to embark upon.
Events for Red White and Boom will open at 6 p.m. in LeClaire Park in Davenport and Schwiebert Park in Rock Island. Both riverfronts will have live music, a USO Discovery Kids Tent, thank you notes for our troops, food, beer gardens, and of course, the largest fireworks display on the Mississippi River beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Both Davenport and Rock Island will have ceremonies with a proclamation read by the Quad Cities mayors highlighting the 150th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal and will end with a presentation of the Quad Cities Military Community Covenant to the commands of the Rock Island Arsenal.
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce also recently launched" Hooah! Quad Cities," a military appreciation and community goodwill campaign that will be highlighted during Red White & Boom. The "Hooah! Quad Cities" website will serve as a resource for military members, veterans and military families. Civilians are also encouraged to use the site to find out how they can support our soldiers. "Hooah! Quad Cities" is also the channel through which the community can connect veterans with employment, education and reintegration services, working with business and community partners to ensure that veterans are a vibrant, respected and well-served part of the Quad Cities.
Red,White & Boom is generously hosted by Genesis Health System and Riverboat Development Authority.
This event would not be possible without all of our additional sponsors including St. Ambrose University, Wells Fargo, Jumer's Casino & Hotel, United Healthcare, Iowa American Water, Quad-City Times, KWQC TV-6, B100, Lunardi's Italian Restaurant, Acsentra Credit Union, City of Davenport, City of Rock Island, The District, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Davenport Parks & Recreation Dept, Rock Island Parks & Recreation, Nerdwerx, and Quad Cities Chamber.
Supporting sponsors include Mutual Medical Inc, Platinum Information Services, Riverview Dental, LPI Loans, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Mississippi Fleeting LLC, and Davenport Fire & Police Departments.
For more details, please visit www.RedWhiteBoom.org
"With over 2,400 shells weighing in at an impressive 2,550 pounds, this will easily be the largest fireworks display for Red White & Boom and also one the biggest displays throughout the Midwest up and down the Mississippi River," said Ken Croken, Red White & Boom committee chairman. "We also have a few fun surprises in store for the community, too."
With Red, White & Boom scheduled for July 3, the AMVETS 4th of July Parade themed Hooah! Quad Cities, and the Rock Island Arsenal's 150th Anniversary celebration coming up July 7, there is nearly a week of fireworks, music, food and remembrance to embark upon.
Events for Red White and Boom will open at 6 p.m. in LeClaire Park in Davenport and Schwiebert Park in Rock Island. Both riverfronts will have live music, a USO Discovery Kids Tent, thank you notes for our troops, food, beer gardens, and of course, the largest fireworks display on the Mississippi River beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Both Davenport and Rock Island will have ceremonies with a proclamation read by the Quad Cities mayors highlighting the 150th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal and will end with a presentation of the Quad Cities Military Community Covenant to the commands of the Rock Island Arsenal.
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce also recently launched" Hooah! Quad Cities," a military appreciation and community goodwill campaign that will be highlighted during Red White & Boom. The "Hooah! Quad Cities" website will serve as a resource for military members, veterans and military families. Civilians are also encouraged to use the site to find out how they can support our soldiers. "Hooah! Quad Cities" is also the channel through which the community can connect veterans with employment, education and reintegration services, working with business and community partners to ensure that veterans are a vibrant, respected and well-served part of the Quad Cities.
Red,White & Boom is generously hosted by Genesis Health System and Riverboat Development Authority.
This event would not be possible without all of our additional sponsors including St. Ambrose University, Wells Fargo, Jumer's Casino & Hotel, United Healthcare, Iowa American Water, Quad-City Times, KWQC TV-6, B100, Lunardi's Italian Restaurant, Acsentra Credit Union, City of Davenport, City of Rock Island, The District, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Davenport Parks & Recreation Dept, Rock Island Parks & Recreation, Nerdwerx, and Quad Cities Chamber.
Supporting sponsors include Mutual Medical Inc, Platinum Information Services, Riverview Dental, LPI Loans, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Mississippi Fleeting LLC, and Davenport Fire & Police Departments.
For more details, please visit www.RedWhiteBoom.org
Pick up the summer program brochure at any Rock Island Library, or visit the 
Can it be? We're already half-way through our Summer Reading contests for kids, teens and adults? The good news is that you still have four more weeks to read and win. Pick up a children's summer reading log, adult entry form or teen reading ticket, and read, read, read!
The Reading is So Delicious summer reading menu includes: A Read-to-Me club log for ages two to five, the I'm a Reader book club for ages six to eight, and the Ravenous Reader log for ages nine to 11. Kids earn prizes for reaching age-appropriate reading goals at three levels, and an extra chance to win special prize baskets. Fill out an ice cream cone with your name on it to be added to our summer reading wall! Prize pick-up started June 18.
This week, teens can earn points (and have fun) attending 3 tasty events: 
Teen HUGO Movie and Food. See the movie Hugo, and make an edible craft based on the automated toys from the movie. 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, June 28, Main Library Community Room.
Recipe Club & Cooking Demo, 6:00 pm, Tuesday, June 26, Rock Island Main Library Community Room. Bring a recipe to swap and share, and sample a demostration of pasta dishes by guest chef Rachel.
Community Room, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Free diet and fitness tips from personal trainers.
Summer Reading is on now all Rock Island Libraries. If you haven't picked up your forms yet for the childrens, young adult or adult reading clubs, there's still lots of time to read and win! With themes such as Reading is So Delicious, Feed Your Mind: READ and Books are Brain Food, the library is cooking up a summer stacked high with fun and reading.
