Plans for the 31st Annual Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival are underway with the celebration taking place this year on May 15th and 16th. New events combined with old favorites will provide something for everyone!

Friday, May 15 will kick off with an opening ceremony at the Lincoln Highway Bridge Park starting at 5 PM. The agenda includes a history of the bridge and park, a song by STC 4th graders, an address by Abraham Lincoln and a flag raising involving The Tama Legion.

Then head downtown where the carnival and food vendors will be open and operating next to the Tama Civic Center. An Ice Cream social benefitting the South Tama Baseball Club is being held at the Civic Center from 5 to 8. A wine and cheese tasting will be held at the Tama/Toledo Eagles Club from 5 to 9. A vendor fair will also be taking place in the City Council Chambers from 5 to 7. New this year is a model Train Display put on by The Iowa Central Modular Railroad, which will be in the Civic Center Friday night and all day Saturday.

Free entertainment will also be in the ambulance bay all evening on Friday, with the Tri County Community band performing at 6:00, the Harding Street Singers at 7:30, and the South Tama County Jazz Band will wrap up the night, performing at 8:15.

Don’t miss the Tama Citizen of the Year award that will be presented by the Tama Firefighters at 7:00.

Saturday, May 16 kicks off with a pancake breakfast put on by the Tama Fire Department in the fire station. Pancakes will be served from 7 to 9:30 for a free will donation.

The 5K run is sponsored by the STC Activity Boosters, and starts at 8 AM at the STC Elementary School, 1611 Country Club Drive, Tama. Any questions can be directed to Adam Andersen at 641-484-3163/641-691-5956 or Jill Bacon at 641-485-5150.

The annual parade will take place at 10:00 A.M on Saturday, running a route starting at 5th and Siegel, going south to 3rd St, east on 3rd to Harmon, then north on Harmon to 4th St., finishing up at 4th and McClellan. Bands, Shriner’s and Local Business’ come out in force to provide this excellent parade for the community. If you would like to be involved in the parade, Byron Witt is the parade chair and he can be reached at 641-751-4830.

The free entertainment in front of the Tama Civic Center kicks off at 11:30 with Matt King- Roy Orbison and Elvis impersonator. Matt has performed his show internationally, so don’t miss it! Following Matt, Dean Franzen, the “Dean of Juggling” will show off his juggling skills for all to enjoy. Dean has been a festival favorite from the past so we are bringing him back to perform at 1:00 on the Siegel Street Stage. Then don’t miss a demonstration by the STC Archery Club at 2:00 PM. This newly formed club will demonstrate their skills, and allow others to give it a try! They will be located on the Civic Center grounds directly north of the building. The last act of the day is a must see- “Scrap Metal” is a musical group that is part of the 34th Army Band stationed in Fairfield Iowa. The band is comprised of citizen-Soldier musicians, and puts on a top notch show! Don’t miss them at 3:00 on the Siegel Street Stage.

If you want to take a break from the entertainment, the vendor fair will be going on again in the Council Chambers from 11:00 to 1:00, and there will be a bean bag tournament at the Tama/Toledo Eagles club at 2:00 PM.

Tons of free kid’s activities are also on the schedule! Tom Terrific, a balloon artist will be strolling the grounds around the Civic Center from 11:30 to 3:30, making his balloon creations available. Barb Jacobs will be on the Civic Center grounds from 12:00 to 4:00 drawing caricatures. Kids Water fights will be held on Siegel Street in front of the Library at 1:00. A new event this year will be an appearance by the Iowa League of Heroes from 11:00 to 1:00. This group of Superheroes will be on hand to provide photo ops with the kids and high fives! Be sure to look for them strolling the grounds of the Civic Center. We will wrap up kids events with the popular Sandhill nickel scramble at 4:00 p.m.

After the popularity of last years free movie in the park, we are bringing it back for this year! A showing of the popular Disney movie “Finding Nemo” will be located in Tama’s Oak Park on McClellan St. at approx. 8:30 PM. Free popcorn will be provided by Premier Estates in Toledo, and other concessions will be available for purchase, benefiting the Wieting Theater.

If you have any questions or comments about entertainment, please contact Sue Carnahan at 641-484-4620 or 515-971-7488. You can also check out the festivals facebook page, Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival and 5K Run for more details on events and happenings.

The Tama Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the Tama/ Toledo community for supporting the festival for the past 31 years, and would like to ask for its continued support in the future. The Chamber works very hard to provide this festival for the community and to keep most of it free of charge. Please thank a Chamber Member when you see them for their support of the Lincoln Highway Bridge Festival and all the community events that they provide.