Celebrate July 4 at one of many Flathead events
The Fourth of July is all about fireworks, festive parades and farmers markets. So unfurl your American flag and go find a spot to celebrate America’s birthday with your family and friends.
KALISPELL
- Kalispell’s Fourth of July Parade is one of the most colorful celebrations in the valley. The parade will commence at 10 a.m. heading north on Main Street, rain or shine.
Early risers can enjoy a free waffle breakfast before the parade from 8 to 10:30 a.m., compliments of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, at their location, 525 S. Main.
A free old-fashioned ice-cream social follows from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn at the Conrad Mansion, featuring live music and barbecue vendors. The Mansion Museum will be offered self-guided tours for $5.
- The Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour will be at the Glacier Park International Airport July 3 to 5.The national tour features famous World War II-era bombers and fighter aircraft. Hours are 2-5 p.m. July 3, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4, and 9:30 a.m. to noon July 5.
The walk-in display is located in the Semitool hangar, Gate 7. Tours are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Flights are available by calling Hunter Chaney at 978-562-9182. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Collings Foundation.
- Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead have their annual summer show this weekend at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in the Trade Center Building. More than 75 vendors will be featured. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 7.
Admission is free. Food trucks will be on site and door prizes will be given away.
- Glacier Symphony’s annual “Symphony Night at the Farm” concert Friday and Saturday, July 5 and 6, is a great way to celebrate our nation’s birthday with an “American Salute” featuring popular patriotic tunes along with a selection of romantic music by George Gershwin and Aaron Copland.
Set on the rolling lawn at Rebecca Farm, the venue offers plenty of room to spread out blankets and low-backed chairs and enjoy the music. Bring a picnic and your favorite beverage or enjoy food and drinks from on-site vendors. Entry is by the carload. Car passes are $50 the day of the concert; or bike in for $5.
Rebecca Farm is located at 1010 West Spring Creek Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
BIGFORK
Bigfork’s Fourth of July Parade starts at noon in downtown Bigfork. Horses, clowns, fire trucks and floats of all designs stream down Grand and Electric Avenues cheered on by huge crowds of spectators. This year’s theme is “American Heroes.” The parade grand marshal is June Anderson, the first female business owner in Bigfork and a lifetime supporter of the community. Her Legacy Float will be following her in the parade celebrating her life and family.
Joining Bigfork’s parade this year will be a flyover of a C-130 by the Montana Air National Guard.
Floats are asked to pre-register. The Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce will be charging a small fee to help cover the costs associated with the parade. Floats will be judged on entertainment value, originality, theme and classic car. More information can be found at Bigfork.org or by calling the Chamber at 406-837-5888.
There will be no parking in downtown Bigfork after 8 a.m.; Grand and Electric Avenues will be closed to traffic. Parking for the parade will be in the field at the intersection of Montana 35 and 82. From this parking area only, free shuttle service is available to downtown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Music will be provided by the Flathead Valley Community Band, in front of the Bigfork Inn at 11 a.m.
At 4 p.m., head over to the single-lane bridge to watch the ducks race down the Swan River. The owner of the first duck under the bridge wins $200. Get ducks at the Bigfork Area Chamber office, Roma’s Gourmet Kitchen Store, Eva Gates Homemade Preserves and The Jug Tree and the Bigfork Chamber Office. Proceeds support the Bigfork High School Scholarship Program.
WHITEFISH
Whitefish’s newest holiday tradition — the Fourth of July Boat Parade on Whitefish Lake — will follow the lake’s eastern shoreline, beginning at 8:30 p.m. in the cove off Whitefish Lake State Park as the crowd gathers at City Beach for the big fireworks show at dusk. Boaters will compete for the “Most Patriotic Boat” award and a $500 gift certificate from Whitefish Marine.
For more information, or to enter your vessel in the big parade, call Cole at 862-8594.
A free shuttle will run from 7 to 11 p.m. from O’Shaughnessy Center to City Beach.
COLUMBIA FALLS
The Columbia Falls Farmers Market will be open for business from 5 to 8:30 p.m. July 4 at The Coop, with live music.
LAKESIDE
The long-standing tradition in Lakeside is to launch fireworks at 11 p.m. from a barge on Flathead Lake. Plenty of shore-side public viewing is available, including Volunteer Park. Boaters can enjoy the display from their watercraft.
Tune in to 107.3 FM for a complementary music show starting at 10:30 p.m.
POLSON
Polson kicks off the Fourth with its Firecracker Fun Run, a 1-mile race from the St. Joseph Medical Center down the parade route ending on Third Avenue. Entry fee is one canned or dry good per person. Donations accepted as well. The run starts at 11:45 a.m.; registration starts at 11 a.m. at St Joseph Medical Center.
Polson’s Fourth of July parade begins at noon. This year’s theme is “1909 to 2019 – Celebrating 110 years of Growth.”
The fireworks show begins at dusk. The best place to watch is Riverside Park.
LIBBY
Libby’s farmers market is open for business from 3 to 7 p.m. outside the Chamber Office and Fireman’s Park.
TROY
Troy’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration kicks off with a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4, followed by breakfast at Roosevelt Park at 9 a.m.
The parade begins at 11 a.m.
The Cruisers Car Show opens at noon with food, vendors, artists and informational booths, all at Roosevelt Park. Enjoy live music throughout the day.
The celebration is capped of with a great fireworks display at 11 p.m.