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'Spanning Legacies' for Bigfork’s 2025 Fourth of July celebration

by Bigfork Eagle
| July 2, 2025 12:00 AM

This year’s theme for Bigfork’s Fourth of July celebration is “Spanning Legacies – Celebrating the Past and Welcoming the Future!” following the reopening of the iconic one-lane bridge downtown.  

The bridge is open for the Fourth of July parade once again, which is the centerpiece of the holiday in Bigfork. Battle Ridge Builders and Grand Marshal Paul Mutascio will be honored in the parade, which starts at noon. 

Food trucks and live music will be in the parking lot downtown starting at 10 a.m. It is recommended that attendees arrive early and take advantage of a free shuttle that will be bussing people from the field at the intersection of Montana 35 and Montana 82.   

From this parking area only, the shuttle service will be available downtown from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For everyone to have a clear view of the parade, there will be no cars allowed in downtown Bigfork after 8 a.m. on July 4. 

Floats must pre-register with the Bigfork Chamber, with more information available at bigfork.org. There is a fee for all entries to help cover the costs associated with the parade. Floats will be judged on entertainment value, originality, craftsmanship and interpretation of the theme, along with a classic car category. 

Organizers request that anyone attending or participating in the parade remembers that this community event is non-partisan. Any person or float that is deemed by parade organizers as offensive or political will be removed from the event. 

Political candidates are allowed to participate with respectful campaign signage only (name, seat, party) and may not hand out printed information. 

The parade begins with members of the military who will pause in front of the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts to present colors while the National Anthem is sung. 

Parade line-up starts at 9 a.m. and closes at 11 a.m. 

Animals and livestock are welcome to join the parade after the rest of the floats and before the Flathead Lake Lodge firetruck – which is last. Contact the Bigfork Chamber ahead of the event so they can plan to find a safe, shady place for them.   

Judging will take place in the parade line-up. To be judged, the float must be completed by 11 am. 

Anyone who is interested in volunteering at the event should reach out to Chamber Executive Director Rebekah King at chamber@bigfork.org.