Plans are underway for 4th of July celebrations in International Falls, Big Falls and Birchdale. Organizers at all three festivals promise that the events will be bigger than ever and full of family-friendly fun.
International Falls
The International Falls celebrations are set to kick off on Friday, July 3, at Smokey Bear Park with booths, a beer garden, children’s karaoke, and a county-western concert with local musician Pat Porter.
According to Bob Anderson, general chairman for the festivities, one of the highlights of the weekend will be the Manitoba pipes and drums group, which will give a concert on the evening of July 3 and will perform in the parade and during the fireworks display on July 4.
Saturday, July 4 festivities will start in the morning with a Bronco 5K run and a kids fun run at the Falls High School track.
At 12:30 p.m. the kiddie’s parade will start. The main parade will follow at 1 p.m. The main parade will feature local floats, a color guard, the local VFW and the Canadian Legion. A parade marshall will be named this week. The theme of the 2009 celebration is: July 4 — What does it mean to you?”
During the day, there will be booths at the park, children’s races, a chip pile to dig through for prizes, community bands, and the Elks Club will be on hand with watermelon.
Fireworks are to start around 10 p.m. at the high school track. The fireworks will be handled by the Falls Fire Department.
Anderson said that the July 4 events will be “another great opportunity for citizens to get together, be patriotic and celebrate the country’s freedoms.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the parade can contact Kevin Adee at 283-2035. Anderson said that participants can join up until July 3, and more entrants are welcome. Booths are being handled by Joe Van Guse and can be secured by calling 285-7153.
Big Falls
Big Falls will kick off its Independence Day celebrations on Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. with a chili cook-off, a 6 p.m. potluck dinner, and a 9 p.m. street dance with music provided by “Bad Influence”.
On Saturday, the day starts with a community auction at the pavilion at 9 a.m. and ends with fireworks that will begin at dusk.
Throughout the day, there will be arts and crafts stands set up, food, games for children and adults, and a dunk tank. Dave Stadler will give a sawing exhibition and host a sawing contest.
A kiddie parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the main parade will start at 5 p.m.
According to Juanita Hill with the Big Falls Lions Club, “It’s pretty much a big family day.”
Hill said that one of the highlights of the day will be Custer the trick cattle dog performing at 6 p.m.
The Big Falls event is being sponsored by the local Lions Club.
A complete schedule of events for the holiday weekend can be found at the Big Falls Web site, http://bigfalls.govoffice.com/, under ‘Events’.
Birchdale
Birchdale will also host Independence Day festivities on July 4. The community parade, featuring Indus School band, the Fort Frances Highlanders, and floats will start at 11 a.m.
Free ice cream cones, games and prizes, equestrians, and hot rod cars will also be a part of the celebration.
“It’s a good, old-fashioned 4th of July,” said organizer Mike Hanson.
Hanson said that the annual event is known for its invitation to mystery guests, which have previously included everyone from Cher to Pres. George W. Bush. This year, Pres. Barack Obama has been invited to attend.
“We hope people are pleased when they get there,” Hanson said.
Birchdale will also be the site of what Hanson calls the “world’s greatest potluck.”
Hanson said that there should be more floats in the parade than in previous years, but because people are still able to sign up, he is unsure how many will attend.
