The role Backus Community Center has played in the Borderland area for 10 years will highlight the theme of this year's Independence Day celebrations.
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.
This year's three-day celebration of the nation's independence will have the makings of all the festivities experienced in the past, including booths, beer gardens and activities for the kids.
July 2 events
July 2 features a match-up between Canada and the United States during the Pulling for Peace tug-of-war competitions.
The July 2 annual event is known as “International Peaceful Borders Day” in Fort Frances and International Falls and is held between the international sister cities.
Scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Pat Roche Landing, this year will be a three-tiered event comprised of a celebrity pull, community pull and a power pull for competitively strong community members. The physically strong as well as high-spirited Americans are asked to join in by contacting the Falls Chamber of Commerce at 283-9400.
The event was rained out last year and will include Canadian Consul General Jamshed Merchant pulling for Canada. And although Merchant will be on the opposite side of the river, he was instrumental in providing a $2,000 contribution, to be split between the two sister cities, to help fund the Pulling for Peace event.
July 3 events
Booths in Smokey Bear Park will be 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 at 4 p.m. Participants ages 16 and younger can call John Streiff at 283-5755 or 218-324-0216 to be included in the event.
July 4 events
The Independence Day celebration kicks off early July 4 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, Community Education office in Falls High School or by calling Jen Erickson at 285-9598.
Later, 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. 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, and remove their hats, for the American flag as it passes in the parade. Prizes will be awarded for theme and non-theme floats.
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.
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 Nancy Rognerud at 218-324-2543.
Area events
Aside from Fourth of July festivities ringing through International Falls, the communities of Birchdale and Big Falls also welcome visitors to join in on Independence Day celebrations.
Birchdale
Birchdale will kick off the celebrations with its annual parade at 11 a.m.
The event, which has come to be called “America’s Parade,” draws in a variety of floats, fire trucks and bag pipers.
A flyer promoting the event kept this year's grand marshal a secret saying “You will be surprised.”
Following the parade, the community is invited to the “World’s Greatest Potluck.” The food will be served at the Birchdale Community Building.
Big Falls
Big Falls will hold its annual Fourth of July Festival July 3 and July 4, with events extending to July 6.
A potluck supper will be held at 6 p.m. July 3. A street dance with Fort Frances band The Poor Boys will follow the meal at 9 p.m.
On July 4, the festivities 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. The Poor Boys 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.
On Saturday, July 6, a new event – a 5-kilometer run/walk – will kickoff at 9 a.m. On Main Street.
