Nothing brings Borderland communities together like the annual Fourth of July celebrations.
Next week, three local communities — International Falls, Big Falls and Birchdale — will host festivities to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day and all that goes along with it.
International Falls
The International Falls Fourth of July celebration will feature a parade and many of the same events that the community has come to expect and enjoy.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “100th anniversary of the International Falls Public Library,” with the entire library staff being recognized as parade marshals.
Bob Anderson, chair of the Falls festivities, said this year will have the makings of all the celebrations of the past, including booths, beer gardens and activities for the kids.
“I think it’s a day to celebrate America and our community,” he said.
July 2 events
The festivities will kick off early July 2 with the Bronco 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. at the Falls High School track.
Race-day registration begins at 8:15 a.m. A Kids Fun Run (400 meters for ages 6 and under, 800 meters for older children) will begin at 10 a.m. Cost for the 5K is $13. Kids Fun Run is free. Medals will be awarded to the top finishers in each age category.
Registration and complete information can be found at www.northlandrunner.com or by calling Jen Erickson at 285-9598.
A riverfront celebration will also be held Saturday in conjunction with the weekend festivities.
A dedication of the James Oberstar Riverfront Complex will begin at 9:45 a.m. July 2 at Voyageurs National Park Headquarters and Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheater.
At 11 a.m., Pulling for Peace, a tug of war match consisting of celebrities from the U.S. and Canada will begin with another match-up following of anyone who would like to participate at 11:20 a.m. A total of 50 men and 50 women are needed for the team.
Music festivities will wrap up Saturday’s events with the Poor Boys at 3 p.m.; Arch Allies at 5 p.m.; and Loverboy at 8 p.m.
Booths in Smokey Bear Park will open July 3 from 2 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. A beer garden will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Childrens karaoke will be offered by King of the Road Entertainment at the Pete Peterson Bandshell from 4-6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Pipes and Drums of Manitoba will present a show at the bandshell. There will also be a country western concert and dance with Mr. Faith’s Sound and Light Show in the park from 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
July 4 events
On July 4, food and game booths as well as craft tables will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Smokey Bear Park. The beer garden will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
A Kiddie’s Parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. and run on Third Street from Ninth Avenue to Third Avenue. Children are to organize on the south side of the Ninth Avenue and Third Street intersection.
The color guard will lead the main parade, which will start at 1 p.m. Parade participants are to organize on Twelfth Avenue at noon. The parade will proceed on Third Street from Twelfth Avenue to Third Avenue.
The parade committee asks that parade participants not throw candy, and that spectators stand for the flag as it passes in the parade. Prizes will be awarded for theme and non-theme floats.
Anderson said that the committee still welcomes participants for both parades.
Races for children ages 3-10 will begin at 2:15 p.m. near the bandshell. Prizes will be awarded for boys and girls in first through fifth place. A chip pile for ages 4-10, where children can dig for buried money, will begin at 2:45 p.m. near the bandshell. Also at that time, a concert from John Faith & the Community Band will begin in the bandshell and folks can get their fill at a watermelon feed.
At 9 p.m., Pipes and Drums of Manitoba will play a pre-fireworks concert on the frontage road along Highway 11/71. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. over the clearing between the Falls High School track and Rainy River Community College.
“We will end the day of celebrations with a great display of fireworks put on by the Falls Fire Department,” Anderson said.
For those who wish to participate, there are several people to contact. To host a booth in Smokey Bear Park, including craft tables, call Becky Roeder at 218-341-0880. Fees will be charged and are to be paid in advance. For those to wish to participate in the main parade, contact Kevin Adee at 283-2035 or 218-244-0684. To participate in the Kiddie’s Parade, call Sherrie Lessard at 283-5108. For childrens karaoke, participants ages 16 and younger, call John Streiff at 283-5755 or 218-324-0216.
Birchdale
The Birchdale area has several claims to fame when it comes to its Independence Day celebration.
It boasts the “world’s greatest potluck” and annually invites dignitaries, including Oprah Winfrey, or as Mike Hanson says, “America’s Diva.”
“If you love America, you’ll come to Birchdale,” Hanson said.
“This is the greatest parade and we want everyone in it,” Soren Olesen added.
Participation in the 11 a.m. “America’s Parade” is encouraged.
The parade will be followed by the community potluck. Games will be available for children and adults.
Big Falls
Big Falls will hold its annual Fourth of July Festival Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4.
A potluck supper will be held Sunday. A street dance with “Timberline” will follow the meal at 8 p.m.
Monday, the day will start at 9 a.m., with a community auction at the pavilion. An Olson Memorial Horseshoe Tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Also at that time, a treasure hunt will kick off with clues posted at the Big Falls Community Building. Art, craft, novelty and food stands will also open at 10 a.m.
Lunch will start at 11 a.m. at the community building. Also at 11 a.m. will be a kamikaze rubber ducky race and opening of a bounce house. Children’s races will start at 12:30 p.m. in front of the community building. Bingo, games for children and adults at the water tower, a loader contest, dunk tank and minnow races all open at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., a sawdust pile, Dave Stadler’s sawing exhibition and a sawing contest will begin.
A kiddie parade will start at 3:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first through third places. Participants are to line up for the main parade at 4 p.m. The parade begins at 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for three categories: patriotic, original and antique car.
The featured band “Back Home” will play at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion. “DJ — King of the Road” will follow that act at 8 p.m. with a street dance. Raffle drawings will be held at 9 p.m. at the ball park.
Fireworks will begin at dusk.
