“You’re going to love what Hills does for the 4th of July.” This was said to us within the first day we started introducing ourselves to our new neighbors when we moved to town in October, 2014. Well, Hills………I think we may have found a great time. Here we go!
https://www.facebook.com/Old218Tap?fref=ts
Just a few miles north of Hills is Iowa City and it’s oodles of restaurants. We love ’em just as much as anyone, but if you’re running around trying to figure out where to watch the game, have some drinks, explore some craft beers, eat some freak’ing great food……And how about just get out of your rut and test some small town cheer. Old 218 Tap is already utilized by a loyal customer-base of bike riders that can be seen coasting in on any nice day. Just follow the trail of tight shorts and it will lead you to one of the best gatherings in JoCo (JoCo=Johnson County. I’m making that a thing now. Enjoy.)
When did you compete in your first tractor pull? Never have! Do you have children? Get them down to Hills, next year, before they start telling the same unfulfilled story that too many of us have in common.
The evening settled in, but the eve of the 4th meant the start of a beautiful thing. My slow-cooked BBQ baked beans began their 14 hour simmer to perfection. Did I take a picture…..Interesting question. I did not. Yea, that’s right. The guy who snaps 47 pictures at 13 different angels of the spread at Old 218 Tap before anyone’s allowed to to touch their plates, failed to take one picture of our potluck contribution. I only had 14 hours to figure it out. Moving on.
The annual Euchre tourney could find a Goodvin pulling up a chair next year because this year the kids were ready to join in with the local fire department for another first for our family. 4th of July waterball fights!
The afternoon has turned to early evening and there’s still a lot of daylight left. 6pm rolled around and out came floats for the Hills parade. Fleets of classic cars, fire engines, cheerleaders and candy! Candy! Decks of cards from Riverside Casino….and Candy!
The main attraction is only a couple hours away and we have time for one more stop before the Hills skyline turns into explosions. We were lucky enough to be invited to a shindig just feet from the field that would be lighting the nights fireworks. We’re off to the city park.
The streets, fields, and park started to fill up more and more in Hills with every passing moment. The majority of the Hills residents flooded the area with the help of people for surrounding communities like Iowa City, Lone Tree, Riverside and more. The local Casey’s was pumping out pizza and a wide array of koozies could be seen all over town. Lawn-chairs fixed, grills smoldering, cans popping open, aluminum bats cracking from the softball field and kids everywhere. Welcome to Hometown, USA. Now we’re ready for some of Iowa’s best fireworks!
You may have your own tradition when it comes to the 4th of July. And we all know that there’s nothing wrong when it comes to that. However, if you’re searching for a new place to spend the day, Hills can provide everything you need. The citizens are proud of this holiday and it shows from the moment you roll in to town or even move here. We’ve all combed the rows of vendors selling food and souvenirs in larger communities while anticipating the fireworks. Spent the day on the porch grilling all day or camped at the same area year after year. All great ways to spend Independence Day. Have you clutched a hose that’s jetting water at high pressure and aimed it at a keg in competition? Watched a premium fireworks display and NOT find yourself in grinding traffic soon after the show’s over? Picked a free spot where you can set up your grill, tailgate from the truck, participate in a pick up game of softball, observe a parade and watch the night light-up all within just a few yards from each other at no charge at all? Well, Hills has that all covered and much more. But, why wait until the next 4th of July to visit! The kitchen is always pumping out food and beer taps are flowing all year long at Old 218. Hills Access has sites open for camping right on the Iowa River. And this winter produced some of the best Bald Eagle watching in the entire state just as you entered the town limits. Team Goodvin loves our home, here in Hills, and we’re looking forward to more events to come here and we’re proud to have The Iowa Gallivant headquartered where “Town and Country Meet”. Thank you, Hills. Team Goodvin had and is having a blast!
Read about our last adventure in Hills, Iowa!
http://theiowagallivant.com/2015/05/10/a-showdown-of-iowas-bravest-in-our-own-backyard/
Thanks for reading! -Team Goodvin
JoCo isn’t a new thing! Its been around for a while
Yes. You’re right. And I think the majority of the readers know that. An attempt at a little humor. Hope we were able to rebound with the rest of the article. Thanks for reading The Iowa Gallivant!
Very nice!