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Freedom celebration

Parades mark Independence Day for 3 communities

Issue Date: 7/10/2013
Last Updated: 7/11/2013 11:46:24 AM | Story contributors include: Alvaretta Morin, Karen Peterson, Linda Sappington and Berl Tiskus

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Polson

The colorful and patriotic Polson Fourth of July parade drew hundreds of people, some standing, some bringing lawn chairs for more leisurely viewing. 

Grand Marshall Bonnie Manicke led the parade, portraying Betsy Ross, complete with a mobcap and period dress and an appliqued flag. Manicke recently retired as Polson City Treasurer.

Horses, Rich Sawyer’s band, the stagecoach from the Polson Flathead Museum, Polson All Star baseball and softball team, vintage vehicles from the Miracle of American Museum and politicians all combined to entertain viewers.

The Polson Cub Scouts held a food drive during the parade, pulling wagons to collect non-perishable food for the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry.

But as many small children agreed, the most important thing was candy, and there was lots of candy for the small fry.

The Envision Polson Youth Committee and the Polson Kiwanis organized the parade, lining up entrants at Cherry Valley School.   

As of publishing time, no parade results were available.  

Charlo

Precisely at noon, the Montana State Trooper stopped traffic on Highway 212, thwarting the travels of a truck and apartment-sized trailer. 

A community parade was just more important than getting somewhere in a hurry. 

The out-of-state traveler had an unexpected, front-row view of a heartwarming, small-town tradition.

Folks lounging in lawn chairs, truck beds, and under shaded canopies peered up the street in anticipation. 

Two teens led the procession on horseback, supporting Old Glory and Montana’s state flag. Not far behind, painted stars and stripes embellished a young girl’s pony. Floats carried classmates who had returned home after 40 years. A fire engine carted the school’s state football champs.

“The parade is just a good old-fashioned celebration of red, white and blue,” former parade organizer LaDonna Fryberger said. “There’s no judging.”

If a neighbor’s float passed too quickly, spectators were offered a second chance to wave at a friendly face, because the parade route looped and returned through the main drag — one of the good features of this particular event.

But the best feature was the sense of community and camaraderie. After the parade ceased, as the traveler cautiously inched his rig northward, neighbors from Charlo and surrounding communities tarried. There were still burgers and beverages to purchase and help fund local organizations. Children scouted for un-snatched candy, and no one seemed to rush to load up their lawn chairs and head elsewhere. After all, dusk was still 10 hours away.

Arlee

Eden Morin, 13, might live in a small town but she thinks big when she designs floats.

“I thought about people around the world,” she said. “My social studies teacher told me about other places.”

The idea of freedom stuck in her mind.

“The United States has freedom,” she said. “It’s sad that the whole world doesn’t have that. What I’m trying to say is that we are lucky.”

Freedom was the theme of her float. 

“We had a sign that said ‘Let Freedom Ring All around the World,’” she said. “And we had maps from different places.” 

Eden learned to design floats from her grandparents.

“Grandma and Grandpa [Alvaretta and LeRoy Morin] have been organizing the parade for a really long time,” she said. “It’s a family thing.”

Kylee Wells, 12, rode her horse Buck in the parade.

“I got flags and put them every which way,” she said. “It’s fun to ride my horse, decorate him and see everyone.”

Kylee said it helps to ride an older horse that doesn’t get excited in the parade. Throwing candy could “be difficult,” she said, “If the horse doesn’t behave.”

Firefighters cooled off spectators with a light spray of water from the fire hose as they rode down the street. Kids picked up candy, old cars rumbled and a dog — dressed up as a hotdog — walked down the center of the street. 

“It was a fun parade,” Kylee said. 

Arlee parade results

A fun and involved Halloween float, reminding us in 90 degrees weather that fall is just around the corner, took top honors at the 54th Arlee 4th of July parade. With a werewolf gnawing a bone and bubbles coming out of the float, the Mahseclah family took the grand prize. 

Best suited to the theme, “Let Freedom Ring,” was a float adorned with beautiful girls from around the world championing freedom for all in the world. Eden Morin, Mckenzie Ketter, Natalie Larson, Kori McVicker and Brook Nentuig let freedom ring and won the float prize.

Stockman’s bar won the commercial category and the Army Transport took second. 

The Jocko River Fish Hatchery won the organization category and the Mission Valley Strong-Arm softball and Jocko Valley Library’s marching kids tied for second.

Leading her miniature Hereford steer the entire parade route, Megan Wieder won the western category and Carlie Wells rode her beautiful steed and took second. In the adult western category Cameron and Samantha Lytle, with sister Hailey, won first prize and Mary Trimble and Carlie Peterson’s horses took second.

A beautiful Leela Sansavere won the western outfit group category while the Otoupalik family’s pack string took second. Striking and beautiful Pow wow girls with Quennel Matt won the Indian outfit group. In the Indian outfit youth category, Arianna Matt and John Anthony were big winners.

Three novelty groups were very competitive. Novelty adult first place went to Skyla Haynes’ 1920 Dodge and Denny Ori’s 1953 Chevy claimed second. Matt Whetzel’s rough and tough took an honorable mention, as did Dennis Black’s tractors. Novelty youth went to Madiah Morin’s super fun go-cart called Freedom. Isaiah Smith won the novelty child category. Also winning a novelty category were the 4th of July Blaster Water Girls edging to second Lane Schall and George Schick on dirt bikes. Tying in the novelty group category were Jace Samsel, Colt and Charlie Crawford’s Arlee taxi and the O’Neil, Marks and Smith families’ float.

Finally, winning the patriotic category was the international girls’ “Letting Freedom Ring” with a Navy veteran on a beautiful motorcycle and Perry Francis’ vehicle tying for second.

The Arlee community honored Grand Marshall Nadine Espinosa with a ride in Scott and Schall’s convertible.

Thank you to judges Ron Couture, Randy Trensvold and Patti Trensvold. Thank you also to all the volunteers and fearless leader Alvaretta Morin for making it possible for the 54th annual parade to march on the highway.

Businesses who generously donated to parade, trophy and highway barricade costs were: Rod’s Harvest Foods, Wilson’s Foods, Arlee Valley Bank, The Hummingbird, Stuart’s Napa Auto Parts and Whetze Concrete. 

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