HOLIDAY ROUNDUP: Fourth to be full of fireworks, fun
Fireworks return to the skies over Northwest Montana for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations.
Last year, all fireworks (including large community shows) were banned due to an escalating fire season.
This year they are allowed again, although fire danger has increased to moderate due to higher temperatures, drier conditions, and increased fire activity.
For fireworks fans, there are community shows planned in Lakeside, Whitefish, Polson and Troy. Parades and other patriotic events are planned at other communities.
Here’s a summary of Independence Day activities on Monday:
KALISPELL
Kalispell’s Fourth of July parade takes on the theme, “Rock the Fourth — Music of America,” so dress up as your favorite American musician and bring a lawn chair, park your stroller and pick a spot on the sidewalk to view the floats, color guard, trucks and trolleys, bicycles and ponies and family fun.
Parade participants will hand out candy and toys to those on the sidewalks.
The Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual parade will start at 10 a.m. from Eighth Street West, traveling north up Main Street before turning left onto West Center Street.
A free ice cream social follows at Conrad Mansion Museum lawn; donations are appreciated. There also will be free face painting, live music and a barbecue concession.
Self-guided tours of the mansion will also be available for $5 per person. Call 755-2166 for more details.
LAKESIDE
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Flathead Lake.
Lakeside’s annual Fourth of July Boat Parade will stage at 3:45 p.m. at Lakeside Bay directly out from the Lakeside Boat Launch. Look for a white 26-foot StanCraft with a Statue of Liberty on her bow, fall in behind her, and depart at 4 p.m. The parade route heads south to Angel Point. Dress your boat and dress yourself in red, white and blue.
The Lakeside Fireworks Show will begin at 11 p.m. Tune in to Pirate Radio 107.3 FM at 10:30 p.m. to listen to the station’s simulcast.
Should you wish to make a donation for the fireworks, call Rudy at 250-7212.
For information call Ron Hopkins, 250-1522; Holly Larson, 270-2317;Tip Clark, 249-2240; or Bob Lincoln, 253-5014.
WHITEFISH
Whitefish Parks and Recreation is planning its annual Fourth of July celebration at Whitefish City Beach with fireworks, food vendors and live music.
Beach-goers are asked to carpool or walk to the fireworks, since parking is at a premium in the City Beach area and the beach parking lot will be closed. To ease traffic congestion, Eagle Transit is providing a free shuttle from the O’Shaughnessy Center (1 Central Ave.) to City Beach from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.
The boat launch will also be closed in the early morning to launch the fireworks barge. Both the boat launch and inspection station will have extended hours into the evening. Lifeguards will be on duty from noon to 7 p.m. and there will be staff on beach patrol throughout the evening.
In addition to a variety of food vendors, David Walburn will playing music from 7 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks over Whitefish Lake presented by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce will start around 10:30 p.m. and will last approximately 30 minutes.
BIGFORK
Bigfork’s old-fashioned parade begins at noon Monday in downtown Bigfork. Horses, clowns, fire trucks and floats of all designs will follow Grand and Electric Avenues cheered on by huge crowds of spectators.
There is no parking in downtown Bigfork after 9 a.m. and the roads into town will be closed at 11 a.m. General parking is available in the high school parking lot.
There will also be public parking and a free shuttle available at Crossroads Christian Fellowship and St. John Paul II Catholic Church. You may also park in the Bethany Lutheran Church on the south end of Bigfork and walk downtown.
POLEBRIDGE
For a far-flung and funky Fourth of July, head up the North Fork Road to Polebridge. Everyone is invited to join the somewhat spontaneous and always quirky parade starting at noon ... or thereabouts. This year’s theme is “North Fork Time Machine.”
Following the parade, a magician will entertain and there will be live music. No fireworks, public or private, are permitted in Polebridge.
For further information, call the Northern Lights Saloon at 406-888-9963.
POLSON
Kick off your Independence Weekend on Sunday at Sacajawea Park in Polson. Live music starts at 6 p.m. with Nashville recording artist Jared Blake and special guests Mabels Rage and Highway 93. There will be fireworks following the music. For more information, call 406-883-5255 or visit www.andersonbroadcasting.com
On Monday, Polson celebrates the “Miracle of America” for its annual Fourth of July Parade.
The parade begins at noon at Cherry Valley Elementary School, heading down Main Street, turning at Third Avenue and ending on the following block.
For more information, call the Polson Chamber at 406-883-5969. KwaTaqNuk Resort’s Fireworks Cruise on Flathead Lake aboard the Shadow departs at 9 p.m. on the Fourth. For the full cruise schedule and tickets, go to www.kwataqnuk.com or call 883-3636.
Polson’s fireworks show begins at dark.
TROY
Troy’s Old Fashioned Independence Day celebration draws huge crowds every year. The hometown parade begins at 11 a.m. followed by an arts and crafts festival at Roosevelt Park. The holiday also features a Cruisers Classic car show, craft show, children’s activities, live entertainment, food concessions and a beer garden.
The fireworks show starts at dusk.
For more details, contact Jody Peterson at 406-334-7034 or Darren Coldwell at 406-295-4415.
EUREKA
Eureka’s sixth annual Red, White and Boom community celebration takes place July 4 at Indian Springs Ranch, 3082 U.S. 93 N.
The event features a show and shine car show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a Kids’ Zone from 2 to 8 p.m. The food court is open from 5 to 9 p.m. and the beer garden from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Enjoy live music starting at 5 p.m. featuring Jones & Fischer.
There will be a lip sync battle from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening culminates with a fireworks show from 10 to 11 p.m.
Admission is $1.