Fourth of July festivities abound throughout county
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There are many opportunities to celebrate our nation’s birthday on July 4 throughout in Polson, Charlo and Arlee.
Polson
The colorful and patriotic Polson Centennial 4th of July Parade organized by the Envision Polson! Youth Committee the Polson Kiwanis Club begins at noon. The parade will begin at Cherry Valley Elementary School on the corner of Main Street and 8th Avenue. The route will be down (north) Main Street, turning right on 3rd Ave West, in front of Polson Hallmark. The parade participants will continue to the parking lot at Linderman School for disassembly of the floats.
Entry forms for the parade can be picked up at Polson Chamber of Commerce office. The forms have must be completed and returned to the Chamber Office at 418 Main Street by July 3rd. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as for the best Children’s entry.
Just prior to the parade, runners in the 5th Annual Firecracker Fun Run will head down Main Street. The Polson 1 mile walk/run begins at 11:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center. Cost to participate is a non-perishable food item donated to Polson Loaves & Fishes. Registration for the run opens at 11:15 and participants should wear red, white and blue. See more details at www.polsonrunning.com
Following the parade, enjoy a sweet treat at the Polson Historical Museum at 708 Main Street as they hold their annual ice cream social.
After the sun sets, brilliant fireworks will light up the night sky and the waters of Flathead River. The display can be viewed from Riverside Park, from boats on the river, or even seen in the foothills south of town. The show will begin at dark, roughly 10 or 10:30 p.m.
Charlo
The annual Fourth of July parade will begin at noon from Charlo schools and travel through town, closing Highway 212 for a while. Participants can just show up, and there’s no specific parade theme other than red, white and blue.
Fireworks begin at dusk — if enough money is raised before the 4th of July to purchase them.
Arlee
The Arlee Volunteer Firefighters hold a pancake breakfast and silent auction beginning at 6 a.m. on the Fourth of July. This event is the department’s big fundraiser for the year. For more information, call Ken Light at (406) 381-9115.
The Arlee Museum will celebrate its grand opening on the Fourth of July with a new display of Montana archaeological finds and a history of Glacier National Park. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m. on July 4.
The Arlee parade, a historical parade that’s gone on every Fourth of July for many years, starts at high noon. People should plan to be at Arlee High School by 10:30 or 11 a.m. to lineup and sign up.
This year’s parade theme is “Let Freedom Ring.”
In the parade’s history only two couples have organized it — Clint and Bonnie Burnett and Alvaretta and Leroy Morin.
Prizes are awarded in numerous categories, such as the best Indian regalia, group, adult and child; and best western group, adult and child.
Call Alvaretta Morin at (406) 726-3167 for information about additional categories and to sign up.
The Arlee Fourth of July Rodeo begins at 2 p.m. at the rodeo grounds on Powwow Road. For more information, contact Stephanie at (406) 726-3762.
The 115th Arlee Celebration runs from Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7 at the Arlee Powwow grounds off Powwow Road. Thursday, July 4 is “Old Style Day” at the Powwow, beginning with a snake dance at 2 p.m. Throughout the afternoon and evening there will be a veteran honoring, an exhibition of Old Style Salish/Pend d’Orielle celebration dances and war dances. An evening ride parade begins at 8 p.m.
