Pottawattamie County Shows Its Spirit During Celebrate CB Week

Posted May 12, 2025
Posted by Public Relations

Pottawattamie County employees brought energy, creativity, candy, and friendship bracelets to the 2025 Celebrate CB Parade on Saturday, May 10, joining in one of Council Bluffs’ most beloved community traditions to wrap a full week of activities from May 5 - 11.

Roughly 20 employees from across multiple departments, including IT, PR, the Sheriff’s Office, Conservation, the Board of Supervisors, Auditor’s Office, Public Health, and Secondary Roads, represented the County in the parade. The 2025 event featured 86 parade entries and an estimated 10,000+ spectators.

This year’s event theme, “CB Eras,” inspired a range of interpretations, from decade-specific throwbacks to subtle nods to pop culture. Pottawattamie County’s group leaned into a 1970s vibe with colorful tie-dye shirts reading “Keepin' It Groovy.” In addition to the usual parade candy, county walkers handed out friendship bracelets with phrases like “In My CB Era,” “Find Your Fire,” “Celebrate CB,” and “CB 712”—a gesture that surprised and delighted many along the route.

Earlier Saturday morning, some parade participants attended Pancakes in the Park in Bayliss Park, a welcome start to the day's festivities. Several county employees also attended the annual Ag Committee cookout fundraiser on Friday, May 9, where all proceeds went towards college scholarships for area students studying careers in agriculture.

“Participating in Celebrate CB, and in community events throughout the county, is a great opportunity for us to connect with the people we serve,” said Kate Gerber, Pottawattamie County Public Relations Manager. “Whether we’re walking in a parade, sharing a meal, or engaging in a conversation, it’s a reminder that local government is part of the community, not separate from it.”

Pottawattamie County's commitment to community engagement spans all 15 cities and communities across the county. From parades and festivals to town halls and committee meetings, county employees and representatives regularly take part in events that bring neighbors together and celebrate what makes each community unique.

To learn more about Celebrate CB and the full recap of this year’s festivities, visit The 712 Initiative’s event page.

To learn more about the cities and communities that make up Pottawattamie County, visit the Cities page.