Star-spangled parades, concerts, fireworks light up July 4
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Perfect summer weather complimented a long weekend of celebration as Independence Day kicked off with parades, picnics and concerts and culminated with a vivid fireworks display over Flathead Lake and Flathead River in Polson.
POLSON
Themed “Parade of Stars,” the Polson Fourth of July parade had horses with sparkly stars on their hindquarters, motorcycles, vintage cars, a band on a trailer and lots of candy for kids.
Carol and Tom Tibbles, Clearwater Montana Properties, handed out more than 500 small flags to kids, making the crowded sidewalks even more of a sea of red, white and blue.
Sarah Rausch sang “The Star Spangled Banner” as the Honor Guard carried Old Glory down the street to kick off the parade.
Downtown Polson was hopping with the Farmers Market, the Firecracker Run and then music starting at Sacajawea Park at 1 p.m.
The 6th Annual 1776 Firecracker Run began at 11:45 a.m. at Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center with the finish line at Third and Main Streets downtown.
As day turned to night, fireworks ignited the cerulean western sky above the Flathead River, where a flotilla of spectators gently swayed on the surface. Hundreds of concert-goers still lounging in Sacajawea Park and strolling along the new walking path were treated to a magical display on a perfect summer evening.
CHARLO
Clutching his blue-starred bucket half full of candy, 5-year-old Ashton Bird couldn’t choose which sweet treat was his favorite.
“I like all of it,” he decided as he perched high on a truck bed waiting for round two of the Charlo Independence Day parade.
That’s the beauty of the caravan that closes Highway 212 along miles of farmland — observers get a not-so-instant replay as the parade route u-turns and returns.
Berlin Bird, 4, joined a gaggle of young cousins clustered together in anticipation of any remaining candy and the grand finale, a chilly dousing from the Charlo Fire Department water tender.
At the first go-round, siblings Hailey, Hayden and Haysen tenderly clutched their sparkly red, white and blue top hats to their heart as a pre-teen led the parade hoisting Old Glory. The oldest, 9-year-old Hailey, insisted her brothers display respect for the American flag.
Lawrence Mahkuk, 11, respected his family by cautiously snagging candy from the road and distributing it into the younger family members’ bags.
Keeley Stipe, 2, drove her own four-wheeler helter-skelter through the parade route as mom Rebecca chased her down.
When asked how long Keeley had been driving, Rebecca replied, “Not long enough.”
ARLEE
American pride was on display in Arlee, as patriotically dressed people crowded the tiny community’s streets to the brim to catch a glimpse of floats that celebrated the great cultural melting pot of America and some of its brightest ambitions.
The 55th annual Arlee 4th of July Parade provided 44 entries to the delight of a packed crowd lining Hwy 93.
It was the first Independence Day for Xiao Ling, of China, who now lives in Missoula and was told by a friend that the Arlee Celebration was something she should see.
“It was quite interesting,” Ling said of the festivities, noting that China has a national day of celebration, but that it is much different.
Arlee’s lineup gave a snapshot into the community, as Native Americans donned headdresses and traditional regalia on floats that glided next to long-sleeved, hat-wearing cowgirls on horses painted red, white and blue.
A woman in a fiesta-themed dress and sombrero added a Latin touch to the parade before Darth Vader and a Sith, epitome’s of America’s successful film empire, strutted down the street with candy occasionally making an unexpected gleeful appearance from a black limousine.
A band played twist and shout as geekily-clad women in lab coats and goggles did a baton routine celebrating ladies’ roles in science. Those in caps and gowns encouraged young children to get a head start on their educations and graduate.
This year’s parade honored long-time residents Bonnie Burnett and Vernabelle Lytle as the parade Grand Marshalls. The Marshalls rode with Harvey Olson in his 1915 Model T Ford Touring car. Mary Matt Parker was also honored as Grand Marshall, but was unable to attend.
Arlee parade results:
Grand Prize – Science Women’s Society
Float Prize – Graduation Matters
Commercial 1st. Stockman’s Bar, 2nd Orange Acres
Clubs & Organizations – 1st Graduation Matters, 2nd Arlee Band
Indian Outfit – Group – Clark & LeAnne Matt Family
Indian Outfit – Adult – 1st Jan Espinoza 2nd Ken Flamard
Indian Outfit – Youth – 1st Myrna Bertollt
Western Outfit – Group – 1st Gary Shutz & Bobo, 2nd Leela & Harvey Sansavre
Western outfit –Adult- 1st Sharon Schall Daniel, Kylee Wells
Western Outfit – Youth-1st Brennan Harris, 2nd Sicilly Scalese
Novelty/Humorous-Adult 1st Billy Hendrickson, 2nd Arlee Historical Society
Novelty/Humorous –Youth 1st Youth 1st Billy & Dennis Fisher, 2nd Madiah Morin
Novelty/Humorous-Child 1st Shaelee Petry, Reed, Journey, Maizee, Emma, Dally, 2nd Charlie Crawford
Novelty/Humorous-1st Denny Orr
Patriotic – 1st One Voice Children’s Church, 2nd Callie Otoupalik
Novelty Group – 1st Science Woman’s Society, 2nd Marks, O’Neill/ Smith
Judges-Vicki Lester, Kathee Goode, Roberta Steele
