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Home My WebLink AboutA007 - Requests from Ames Main Street for 4th of July activities on July 4, 2026ITEM #:9 DATE:12-16-25 DEPT:ADMIN SUBJECT:REQUESTS FROM AMES MAIN STREET FOR 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES ON JULY 4, 2026 COUNCIL ACTION FORM BACKGROUND: Ames Main Street (AMS) is organizing the community parade for the 2026 Downtown Fourth of July Celebration. Parade staging will take place on Northwestern Avenue between Wheatsfield Grocery and Main Street, on Allan Drive, on Pearle Avenue, in City Hall Parking Lots M and MM, and in the Depot parking lots. To facilitate parade staging and movement, street closures will be needed from 6:00 a.m. until the end of the parade (approximately 2:00 p.m.) on July 4 for the following streets: Main Street, from the east Central Business District (CBD) Lot entrance to the Grand Avenue overpass, continuing onto Northwestern Avenue to Sixth Street (Wheatsfield customers will be provided access at Sixth Street) Allan Drive Pearle Avenue Fifth Street, from Grand Avenue to Douglas Avenue Clark Avenue, from the south driveway of the CBD Lot to Sixth Street Burnett Avenue, from Main Street to Fifth Street Kellogg Avenue, from just south of Main Street to Fifth Street Douglas Avenue, from Main Street to Fifth Street The following parking lot areas will also need to be closed for parade staging from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m.: Lot MM, to the west of City Hall The south three aisles of Lot M, adjacent to the west door of City Hall (City vehicles and cars of City employees who are on duty will be parked in the north portion of the lot) Because July 4 is a City holiday, there will be no lost parking meter revenue from these closu res. A blanket Temporary Obstruction Permit for the Central Business District will be required on July 4. AMS has requested a blanket Vending License for the entire Central Business District, and a waiver of the license fee ($50 loss to City Clerk’s Office). Public Works staff will provide barricades as needed to close the streets and control access to the parking lots. AMS will have volunteers at each barricaded intersection, and the Police Department will assist at the busiest intersections. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the requests for activities on July 4, 2026 as requested above, including street and parking lot closures, a blanket Temporary Obstruction Permits, a blanket Vending License, and waiver of fees. 1 2. Request further information from event organizers. 3. Do not approve the requests for the 4th of July activities. CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: The 4th of July Parade provides a great opportunity to bring the citizens of Ames together to celebrate and supports the City Council value of a fun, vibrant and healthy community that attracts and retains people. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above. ATTACHMENT(S): July 4 Application.pdf July 4 Parade Route 2026.pdf 2 Travis Toliver, IOM Executive Director travis@amesalliance.com 304 Main Street, Ames, IA 50010 |515.233.3472 |DowntownAmes.org Ames Main Street advances and promotes Downtown Ames as the heart of the Ames community. October 29, 2025 Mayor and City Council City of Ames 515 Clark Ave Ames, IA 50010 Dear Mayor Haila and Members of the Ames City Council, Ames Main Street is planning to hold the annual 4th of July Parade on July 4, 2026 in Downtown Ames. Specific information about the event can be found on the included Special Event Application. We would also request a waiver of fees for the Blanket Vendor Permit and street closures as indicated on the accompanying map for parade staging and route. By bringing residents to Downtown Ames for attractions such as this, Ames Main Street is able to fulfill its mission as a Main Street Iowa community and create an economically vibrant downtown with unique living, dining, and entertainment experiences. Thank you for your consideration of this request and continued support of Ames Main Street. We look forward to seeing celebrating the 4th of July in Downtown Ames! Sincerely, Travis Toliver Executive Director Ames Main Street 3 1 1 For Office Use Only Documents Received Date: ____________________ ___ Completed Application ___ Fireworks Application ($25 fee) ___ Insurance Certificate ___ Public Safety & Event Management Plan ___ Site Plan/Route Map ($25 fee) (Road Race) ___ Vendor List ($50 fee/each) ___ Parking fees Special Events Meeting Date ____________________ Time ____________________ Room ___________________ Documents Sent: ___ Alcohol License ABD ________________ ___ Fireworks Permit ___ Road Race Permit ___ TOP ___ Permit ___ Other ________________ Departments Included ___ City Manager: Brian Phillips and Tasheik Kerr ___ CyRide: Jenny Bethurem or Rob Holm ___ Electric: Mark Imhoff ___ Fire: Jason Ziph or Rich Higgins ___ Parks & Rec: Craig Kaufman or Joshua Thompson ___ Public Works: Brad Becker or Dave Cole ___ Police: or ___ Water: ___ Risk Management: Bill Walton CAA: : ISU: Events Authorization Committee City Council Meeting Date _____________________ ___ Added to Agenda with CAF Approved Y N Reminder Date ____________ SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION Applications received less than thirty (30) days before the event may not be processed by the City in time for the event and will automatically be denied. Each application is viewed as a new event regardless of previous occasions. Event Name Location/Address Region (Select one or more) Main Street (Downtown) Campustown District Iowa State University Property City Parks Other (please explain) Please note that events occurring in the Downtown, Campustown, in City parks, or on ISU property require prior approvals. A letter of support will be required from CAA if the event occurs in Campustown or from if the event occurs in Downtown. Please contact the appropriate office well in advance: Downtown -: (515) 23 - ampustown Action Association: (515)- ISU - Events Authorization Committee: (515) 294-1437 @amesdowntown.org eventauthorization@iastate.edu TIMELINE Detailed Description of Event Activities (written overview of event and what’s going to happen) Event Ends Date Time M T W R F Sa Su Teardown Complete Date Time M T W R F Sa Su Event Category Concert/Performance Farmer/Outdoor Market Other (please explain) Athletic/Recreation Exhibits/Misc. Festival/Celebration Parade/Procession/March Rain Date Rain Location Yes No Is this an annual event? If yes, how many years? Setup Date Time M T W R F Sa Su Event Starts Date Time M T W R F Sa Su 4 2 CONTACTS State Zip Code Cell Phone Cell Phone Sponsor/Applicant Name Address City Daytime Phone E-mail Alternate Contact Name Daytime Phone E-mail ATTENDANCE Anticipated Daily Attendance Yes No Is this event open to the public? Is your event being held in conjunction with another event (e.g.Farmers' Market, 4th of July, etc.)? If yes, please list: ORGANIZATION STATUS/PROCEEDS For-Profit Bona Fide Tax Exempt Nonprofit Yes No Are patron admission, entry, or participant fees required? If yes, please describe and provide amounts: Are vendor or other fees required? If yes, please provide amounts: Percentage of net proceeds going towards fundraising % Percentage of net proceeds going towards for-profit entity % SECURITY Ames Police Department 24 hour non-emergency phone number: 515-239-5133 Please complete the course at https://www.crowdmanagers.com/training for crowd management training. Yes No Have you hired a professional security company to develop and manage your event’s security plan? If yes, please fill out the following information: Security Organization State Zip Phone Address City Email 5 4th of July 6