Gearing up for the Fourth of July |
| April 16, 2013 |
|
The warm breeze of summer is still but an
anticipation, but plans for this year's Bonners
Ferry Fourth of July celebration are warming up
nicely, with a parade, games, live music and a
lot more. Oh ... and fireworks! Being organized once again this year by Paradise Valley Fire Chief Gary Leonard, plans are still growing, but the agenda is firming up nicely, beginning with a Fourth of July Parade at 5 p.m. July 4 falls on a Thursday this year. Opening ceremonies will be held at the Boundary County Fairgrounds between 5:30 and 6 p.m., depending on how big the parade is, with local Scout troops presenting the colors and Bonners Ferry's own Markayle Accord singing the National Anthem following the invocation. Once the opening ceremonies conclude, the music and fun begins, and while there will be food vendors catering to the crowd, families are invited to pack a basket, spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic. Music, both live and recorded, will cater to the dancers, swayers and toe tappers throughout the evening, and plans are underway for games and contests galore, though help is needed in their organization. For games, how about three-legged sack races, a potato sack race, an ugliest chicken contest and a dog/owner look-alike contests. There'll be a pie eating contest, a hot dog eating contest, a Dutch oven and a chili cook-off. There'll also be a square dance and a county-wide line dance, and an attempt will be made either to establish or break the record for the most dancers, if anyone happens to know what the record is. The evening will conclude with a fireworks extravaganza at 9:45 p.m. Everyone who'd like to help with planning, coordinating games and activities or with funding are encouraged; call Leonard at (208) 946-9579 or email gary@july-fourth.us. To learn more and to follow plans as they develop, visit http://july-fourth.us. |