Altoona Area Historical Society

06/15/2026

📣 Help Wanted! 🎥🇺🇸

The Altoona Area Historical Society is looking for someone who can help live stream the Altoona 4th of July Parade on our YouTube channel this year!

If you have experience with live streaming, video production, or know someone who does, we’d love to connect. This is a great opportunity to help share one of Altoona’s favorite traditions with those who can’t attend in person.

Please send us a message or tag someone who may be interested.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our community and America’s 250th Birthday! 🇺🇸🎆

06/13/2026

The countdown is on! 🎉 We can't wait to celebrate Altoona's biggest Independence Day yet — America turns 250 this year, and we're marking it with a parade, ice cream, inflatables, a foam party, splash pad fun, and more at Haines Park!

Mark your calendars: Saturday, July 4th

🎈 Parade: 10:00 AM (Venbury Drive → Haines Park)

🍦 Park Festivities: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Grab your family, friends, and neighbors — let's make this one to remember!

06/08/2026

Join us for a truly special evening as Ryan Smith shares the remarkable legacy of his grandfather, Neal Smith told through personal memories, stories, and a grandson’s perspective. This is a rare and intimate look at a life well-lived, straight from the heart of family.

Don’t miss your chance to hear history come alive in the most personal way possible. Can't wait to see you!

📅 Tuesday, June 30th
🕕 6:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: FREE
📍 Altoona Area Historical Museum
104 2nd St SE, Altoona, IA

06/05/2026

🏛️ June is HERE and we'd love to see you!

The Altoona Area Historical Society Museum is open every Saturday this June. Stop in, explore, and connect with the history of our community.

📅 JUNE MUSEUM HOURS:
Every Saturday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 104 2nd St SE, Altoona

✨ FEATURED PRESENTATION THIS MONTH:
"The Life of Neal Smith" Presented by his grandson, Ryan Smith
📆 Tuesday, June 30th | 6:00 PM
📍 104 2nd St SE, Altoona

Join us for a truly special presentation as Ryan Smith shares the remarkable legacy of his grandfather, Neal Smith told through personal memories and a grandson's loving perspective. This is a rare and intimate look at a life well-lived, straight from the heart of family.

Don't miss your chance to hear history come alive in the most personal way possible. All are welcome bring a friend, bring the family!

06/05/2026

06/04/2026

One month to go, Altoona! 🎆 We are counting down the days to our 4th of July Celebration and we could not be more excited to celebrate with ALL of you!

This year is extra special- we are marking America's 250th Birthday 🎂, and we want to make this the biggest, most unforgettable celebration our community has ever seen. This is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone and we plan to do it RIGHT!

🥁 Want to be in the parade? Download the 2026 Parade Information Packet and sign up today:

http://altoonahistory.org/.../2026-4th-of-July-Parade-Information-Packet.pdf

🌳 Want to be a vendor at Haines Park? We would love to have you! Send us an email to get signed up:

altoonahistory.org

Drop a 🎉 in the comments if you're coming, and share this post so no one in our community misses out. Let's make history together!

06/02/2026

📚🎉 A big thank you to Sylvan Learning for joining us in Altoona’s 2026 4th of July Parade as we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday! 🇺🇸

Sylvan Learning has helped countless students build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and achieve success in the classroom and beyond. Their commitment to education and our community makes them a wonderful addition to this year’s parade.

Be sure to give them a wave as they pass by on July 4th! 👋

📅 July 4, 2026
🕙 Parade Starts at 10:00 AM
📍 Downtown Altoona

Thank you, Sylvan Learning, for supporting our community and helping students reach their full potential!

06/01/2026

🎉 Ready to march into history? The City of Altoona and the Altoona Area Historical Society invite YOU to be part of the most exciting Fourth of July Parade in our community's memory because this year, America turns 250!

Whether you're a business, organization, school group, or just a crew of proud Altoonans we want YOU in this parade.

Here's how easy it is:
✅ Complete your participation packet
✅ Entry fee is just $25 (nonprofits participate FREE!)
✅ Need us to drop off or pick up your packet? No problem-we'll come to you!

⏰ Spots are limited, so please sign up in advance! We want to make sure we have a place saved just for you. The sooner, the better so we can plan and make this the best parade Altoona has ever seen.

📩[email protected] or [email protected]

This community LOVES a parade, and this one is for the history books. Don't just watch it BE in it!

http://altoonahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-4th-of-July-Parade-Information-Packet.pdf

05/29/2026

🎆 JOIN US FOR ALTOONA'S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION! 🎆
Hosted by the City of Altoona & the Altoona Historical Society

America turns 250 — and Altoona is celebrating BIG! Mark your calendars for a full morning of patriotic fun, community spirit, and hometown pride.

🥁 THE PARADE
Saturday, July 4th | 10:00 AM | Rain or Shine
Starting at Venbury Drive and ending at Haines Park
Entry Fee: $25 | FREE for non-profits!

🎉 AFTER THE PARADE — HAINES PARK
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
✅ FREE Ice Cream Social
✅ FREE Inflatables
✅ Foam Party
✅ Open Splash Pad
✅ Food Truck & Local Vendors

Gather your family, friends, and neighbors for a morning that honors our history, celebrates our freedom, and brings our community together. Let's make this Independence Day one to remember!

📍 Parade route: Venbury Drive → Haines Park
🕙 Parade: 10:00 AM | Park festivities: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

05/26/2026

🌿 Don’t miss TONIGHT’S presentation at the Altoona Area Historical Society located at 104 2nd St SE in Olde Town Altoona! Admission is FREE, so bring your friends and family and enjoy an inspiring evening supporting our community and all the amazing things they are doing. ✨

Guests will enjoy a special presentation and slideshow from a master gardener highlighting the Polk County Master Gardeners Altoona Enabling Garden. 🌸🪴

Learn how this incredible garden is designed to make gardening accessible and enjoyable for everyone through paved paths, raised beds, vertical gardens, and other inclusive features that allow people of all abilities to experience the beauty and joy of nature. ♿🌼