Fourth of July events set

Thousands will gather at City Beach on Whitefish Lake for a fun-filled Fourth of July celebration with fireworks, food vendors and live music on Wednesday, July 4.

New this year prior to the fireworks show, Whitefish Marine & Powersports will host the first-ever Fourth of July Boat Parade at 9 p.m. Parade participants will gather in the cove off Whitefish Lake State Park beginning at 8:30 p.m. to line-up, then begin the first of two loops along the eastern shoreline of Whitefish Lake passing by the Whitefish River outlet, City Beach, the Bay Point area, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake and Monk’s Bay before heading back to do it all again.

The fireworks, presented by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, will start at approximately 10:30 p.m. and will last about 30 minutes.

The main City Beach parking lot will be closed to allow vendors to set up for the day.

People are encouraged to walk or bike to the beach. Skye Park Bridge is a good way to walk to the beach. The Chamber of Commerce is offering a shuttle, compliments of Eagle Transit, from the O’Shaughnessy Center to City Beach between 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

No dogs are allowed at City Beach in both the beach and park areas. No personal fireworks, alcohol or glass containers are allowed.

A highlight of the Fourth of July weekend is the 39th annual Whitefish Arts Festival. The event is at Depot Park downtown and runs Friday, July 6 through Sunday, July 8. Artists from across the country are represented with metal sculptures, paintings and photography, woodworking, pottery, jewelry, clothing, and home decorations are just some of the featured fine arts.

Friday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information, visit http://www.whitefishartsfestival.org/.