Plenty of fun ahead for the holiday

Flags will be unfurled across the Flathead at area Fourth of July events. Here's a list of some of the things going on:

Kalispell

Kalispell's Fourth of July parade gets under way at 10 a.m. Tuesday downtown on Main Street. The parade will line up at Eighth Street and First Avenue West at 9 a.m. Afterwards, head over to the Conrad Mansion for an old-fashioned ice cream social and barbecue.

The barbecue will be served by Bulldog catering. A percentage of the cost will be donated to the mansion to upgrade its outdated electrical system. Ice cream will be donated by Norm's News.

Some old-time cars will be on hand for viewing, and the Flathead Valleyaires will perform at 4:30 p.m.

Wild Horse Limo will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering short rides, with a percentage of the small fee also going to the mansion's electrical system.

The mansion will be open regular tours during the afternoon.

Whitefish

The 2006 Whitefish Arts Festival gets under way today from noon to 8 p.m. at Parkside Credit Union Park. Saturday's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday's are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free and there will be live music Saturday and Sunday afternoons beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Whitefish welcomes everyone to its Fourth of July celebration at City Beach.

Although the city's annual fireworks show has been canceled this year, there will be live music at the beach from 7:30 to 11 p.m. A free shuttle will run from the O'Shaughnessy Center to City Beach from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Whitefish Golden Agers offer a pig roast from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kay Beller Park, 121 E. Second Street, Whitefish. The menu features a whole roasted pig from Farm to Market pork, cole slaw, red beans, potato salad and ice cream. Beverages include lemonade, iced tea, soft drinks and coffee.

Tickets are $12.50 for adults or $7 for children ages 5 to 13 years old. Golden Ager members receive a $1 off their ticket price.

Take-out will also be available. Delivery can be arranged for an extra $2. Call 862-4923 on Monday and Tuesday.

Bigfork

Bigfork has a full slate of activities scheduled throughout the weekend. The Sunday Riverbend concert in Sliter Park will feature an evening of folk, blues and rock and roll with Basement Boy Jimmy & Friends.

The Bigfork Summer Playhouse stages "Hello Dolly" on Monday and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Bigfork's annual Fourth of July parade begins at noon. Music will be provided by the Community Band which is scheduled to begin playing in front of the Bigfork Inn at 11 a.m. No cars will be allowed downtown before or during the parade. Parking is available at the Flathead Bank parking lot, the Bigfork school, and at Sliter Park.

Following the parade, the popular Children's Carnival will commence in Sliter Park. Later in the afternoon, the Ducks for Bucks race gets under way on the Wild Mile of the Swan River.

Big Arm

For a parade of a different sort, head down the west shore of Flathead Lake to Big Arm for The Big Arm Association's boat parade on Tuesday. The parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Elmo state fishing access, passing Meadowlark Point, past La Riviera and Sunny Shores, then to Melita Island; and back to Sunny Shores, the parade endpoint.

Call 849-6628 or 849-5636 to register or for more information.

Lakeside

Lakeside will launch its annual fireworks display from a barge on Flathead Lake off the city dock. Look for the pyrotechnics to start between 10:30 and 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

People may begin parking for the fireworks at 6 p.m. Handicapped parking is available at the Lakeside Business Center.

Other parking areas are Lakeside Elementary School, Lakeside Community Chapel, Sliter's and the Village Commons.

Overflow boat-trailer parking is available behind the Lakeside Fire Hall and in Somers in the field across from Del's Bar.

Polson

Polson will host the Hellroaring Detachment of the Marine Corps League for its annual parade starting at noon Tuesday on Main Street. Floats, vintage and classic cars, horse-drawn buggies and more will turn east on Third Avenue and south at First Street East.

The fireworks show starts about 10:45 p.m. at the old regatta grounds.

Ronan

Ronan's Independence Day events kick off at Ronan City Park with boat rides, children's art and face painting, a fishing derby, karaoke and more from 2 to 5 p.m.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. heading down Main Street to First, to Round Butte Road, to Third and then to the fairgrounds.

Following the parade a carnival will be open at the fairgrounds starting at 6:30 p.m., with games, pony rides, a cake walk, electric cars and other activities. There will also be a beer garden, barbecue and concessions.

Fireworks will be the grand finale later in the night.

Troy

The town of Troy invites everyone to its Fourth of July celebration, a tradition that began in 1910.

With more than 60 volunteers and 50 vendors, Troy throws a big party every year. Last year more than 3,000 people attended.

There will be music and games all day, a morning parade, food, beverages (including a beer tent), fireworks and dancing.

The event will be held in Troy's new park near the Kootenai River.

Polebridge

Polebridge's parade, a long-standing tradition in the North Fork, will start at noon in front of the Polebridge Mercantile. Everyone is invited to spectate or participate - costumes are encouraged.

There will be a barbecue and live music following the parade.

Some camping and cabins are available, as well as accommodations at the North Fork Hostel.

Polebridge is north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road.

Seeley Lake

Seeley Lake celebrates the Fourth with a parade at 2 p.m., a duck race at 4:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m.