Independence Day activities span the Flathead Valley

Raise the flag, rally the “troops” and come celebrate the Fourth of July at any of these All-American community events scheduled around the Flathead Valley:

- Kalispell kicks off its July 4 festivities with a free waffle breakfast from 9 to 11:30 a.m. hosted by Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home at 525 S. Main St.

Find the perfect spot to watch the annual Fourth of July parade starting at 10 a.m. on Main Street, rain or shine. This year’s theme is “Travel the USA.”

Motorcars, motorcycles, horses, bicycles, floats and all manner of enthusiastic participants will parade along the route as spectators cheer.

After the parade, follow the crowd to the Conrad Mansion Museum for a free, old-fashioned ice-cream social, live music by the New Horizons Band and face painting. Donations are appreciated.

Lunch will be available to purchase from Porteus BBQ and self-guided tours of the mansion will be offered at a discounted rate of $5 per person. For details call 755-2166.

- Bigfork celebrates Independence Day in a big way. The parade kicks off at noon featuring horses, clowns, fire trucks and floats along Grand and Electric avenues.

The Budweiser Clydesdale eight-horse team will participate in the parade.

Flathead Audubon also will march in the parade, wearing birding attire and carrying binoculars to introduce parade-goers to their organization.

Keep in mind there will be no parking in downtown Bigfork after 8 a.m. on the holiday, and the roads into downtown will be closed at 9 a.m. Public parking and a free shuttle will be 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 into downtown.

- Polson’s Fourth of July Parade gets started at noon with the theme “Small Town Independence.”

The parade begins at Cherry Valley Elementary School, heads down Main Street, turning at Third Avenue and ending on the following block.

- Troy’s Old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration begins at 9 a.m. at Roosevelt Park. The traditional, family-friendly event is more than 100 years old and has grown to include more than 6,000 visitors featuring an arts and crafts fair, food vendors, kids’ games, live music and a beer garden.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. and a Cruisers Car Show opens at noon. Bus service will be available starting after the parade. Pick up and drop off will be at Morrison Elementary, Troy High School, Troy Activity Center and Roosevelt Park.

The largest fireworks show in the region starts at 11 p.m.

- The annual Arlee Powwow continues July 4 on Powwow Road in Arlee. The parade is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the Snake Dance takes place at 2 p.m. The powwow features traditional dance competitions, singing, drumming, handmade beaded crafts and food booths. For a complete schedule visit www.crazycrow.com

- The annual Arlee Rodeo gets under way at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information, call RT Hendrickson at 406-726-3762.

- Polebridge pulls out all the stops with its quirky Fourth of July parade, starting roughly at noon. The semi-spontaneous and often hilarious event draws hundreds each year to this small, remote North Fork community.

After the parade, the Northern Lights Saloon will have a pig roast and live music by Engine 99 and Danny Friend. The Polebridge Mercantile also will be open for business.

No fireworks, public or private, will be permitted.

- Make you way to Lakeside Bay for the annual Fourth of July Boat Parade. Staging will begin at 4:30 p.m. directly out from the Lakeside docks and boat launch. The course will head north this year to the Somers fishing access. Boaters should look for a white 26-foot Stan Craft with a Statue of Liberty on her bow, fall in line behind her and then depart at 5 p.m. Dress your boat and dress yourself in red, white and blue. The owners of the best-dressed boats will be awarded local gift certificates.

Lakeside’s fireworks display begins just after dark in the Lakeside Bay. If you have any questions, call Holly Larson at 270-2317.

- Join the fun at Whitefish City Beach and take in the fireworks over Whitefish Lake. The show takes place shortly after dusk, from 10:30 to 11 p.m.

David Walburn will play from 7 to 10 p.m. Food vendors will be on site. Eagle Transit will provide a free shuttle from the O’Shaughnessy Center in downtown Whitefish to the beach starting at 7 p.m. The last shuttle will leave the beach at 11 p.m.