Communities expand Fourth of July celebrations
The West Shore will be lit up with fireworks on two nights this year.
The community of Lakeside will host its annual fireworks display starting at 11 p.m. on July 4 in the bay area between Volunteer Park and the boat launch. The display is funded by community donations. Businesses or community members who would like to donate should contact Rudy at 250-7212.
Additionally, The Docks will put on a fireworks display Saturday, July 2. There will also be live music, followed by a DJ. Fireworks will be set off at dusk, which is estimated to be between 10:30 and 11 p.m.
ACROSS THE LAKE
Bigfork will host its much-loved Independence Day parade at noon Monday, July 4 in downtown Bigfork.
The parade lineup will start around 11 a.m. and wind up Grand Drive starting at Flathead Bank and going toward Lakeview Care Center. No registration is needed. Positions are usually determined on a first-come, first-served basis, so entrants who want to be in front should plan to arrive early.
For safety reasons, parade participants are asked not to throw candy or other items from floats. Instead, they are asked to have people on the street to hand out candy.
The parade moves down Grand Drive and turns onto Electric Avenue, dispersing right before the one-lane Upper Bigfork Bay Bridge.
Immediately following the parade, a barbecue and children’s carnival will be held at the Bigfork fire hall.
The annual Ducks for Bucks race will begin at 4 p.m. along the Wild Mile of the Swan River. The first ducks to go under the bridge will win cash prizes. Proceeds go to support the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce scholarship program.
Ducks can be purchased at The Jug Tree. The cost is $5 per duck or a “six quack” for $25.
NEW THIS YEAR
Grateful Nation Montana will be hosting a Freedom 5K run/walk before the parade. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race will start at 9 a.m. The race begins and ends at Brookies Cookies in downtown Bigfork. The out-and-back course runs along the Swan River Nature Trail.
The cost of registration is $15. Funds raised go toward providing college scholarships for the children of fallen Montana soldiers.
Also new this year, there will be an F-15 flyover to signify the start of the parade at noon in downtown Bigfork.
OTHER AREA EVENTS
The Polson Centennial Fourth of July parade starts at noon Sunday at the Polson-Flathead Historical Museum on Main Street and Eighth Street, and will end on Main and Third Street. To participate in the parade, contact Shelly Quinn at wrapshack@bresnan.net or Brenda Dennis at BSD@commbank.net. Those interested may also register on the morning of the event at 10 a.m. behind Cherry Valley School.
The new feature of this year’s parade is the Main Street block party, in which Main Street will be blocked off for two hours after the end of the parade for family-friendly activities. There will be food, games and live music.
Also following the parade, there will be an ice cream social starting at 1 p.m. at the museum.
Before the parade, the third annual Firecracker 1776 1.1-mile run/walk will be held at 11:40 a.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. Registration will be held from 11:10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the day of the race. There is no entry fee — just bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Polson Food Bank. The race goes down Main Street, with the last half mile covering the parade route with lots of cheering fans.
For more information, contact Ed Leas at 261-3334.
A fireworks display will take place at dusk at the south side of Polson’s bridge.