Celebrating the Fourth with a bang

Fourth of July brings parades, picnics and fireworks to the Flathead, from way up the North Fork to the village on the bay. This year, Independence Day falls on a Friday.

Celebrants are cautioned that use of fireworks is not allowed inside the city of Columbia Falls or in Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest.

Celebrants should also beware of fire hazards posed by fireworks in areas with tall grass or weeds and in timber, and that pets sometimes can be stressed out by the noise and might run off and get lost.

• The unique and sometimes wacky Polebridge Fourth of July parade will start noon, marching past the Mercantile out to the North Fork Road and back.

The Northern Lights Saloon will roast two barbecued pigs for the event. The Moonshine Mountain Band will hit the stage behind the saloon at 2 p.m. followed by the Little Smokies Band at 6 p.m.

• The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce will put on its annual Fourth of July fireworks display at City Beach starting at dusk. A free shuttle bus will run back and forth from the O’Shaughnessy Center downtown to City Beach starting at 6 p.m.

• The traditional Fourth of July parade in Kalispell will start on Main Street at 10 a.m. with color guards, veteran and youth groups, floats, horse clubs and music. The parade will be followed by a free ice cream social at the historic Conrad Mansion at 11 a.m.

• Fourth of July in Bigfork will begin with a free pancake breakfast at the Mormon Church, 121 Crestview Drive, from 9 to 11 a.m. with an American flag raising, live music, pancakes, sausage, egss and orange juice.

Registration for the fourth annual Freedom 5K Run/Walk along the Swan River Nature Trail in Bigfork will start at 7:30 a.m., with the race beginning at Brookies Cookies at 8:30 a.m.

The Celebrating America’s Heroes Parade will begin downtown following the presentation of the colors in front of Bigfork Inn at 12:05 p.m. and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Robin Gough. Awards will handed out during the barbecue at the Fire Hall after the parade.

• The annual Fourth of July fireworks display in Lakeside Bay will begin around dark. Anyone in a boat will see private fireworks displays up and down Flathead Lake.

• An informal fireworks display usually occurs in Hungry Horse along U.S. 2 which can sometimes get a little rowdy and risky.