Too many to thank for a wonderful Fourth
July 11, 2012
After a year missed in 2010, the night sky lit up once again over Bonners Ferry for the Fourth of July, thanks to a tremendous show of community support.
Lael Alexander photo
Gary and Stacy Leonard
When it came to writing a list of people and businesses to thank for their support of organizer Gary Leonard's effort to bring the Fourth of July celebration back to Bonners Ferry, he had a tough time of it.

"I have a list of the individuals who contributed directly with hard earned cash," Gary wrote. "I have a list of those who contributed goods and services. I have a list of those who contributed precious volunteer time. These are long lists!"

Indeed.

In 2010, long-time Independence Day event organizer Skip O'Fallon retired, both from banking and from organizing. He worked to find someone to fill his shoes, but no one stepped forward, as it's a task that takes countless hours and a lot of hard work.

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts performed color guard duties to kick off the Fourt celebration and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Markayle Acord's wonderful rendition on the National Anthem. Pastor Jim from Mountain Springs Church provided the invocation and Pastor Leonard Pine from Providence Bible Presbyterian Church led a sing-a-long of God Bless America.
As a result, there was no gathering at the Boundary County fairgrounds July 4, 2010, no fireworks lighting up the night sky over Bonners Ferry. For the first time in memory, Bonners Ferry didn't commemorate the Independence of the United States.

Paradise Valley fire chief Gary Leonard hadn't been in town very long, having moved here from Utah, when he realized that no one was taking responsibility for organizing what should be a community-wide celebration.

Instead of wondering why, he stepped up and took on the challenge, committing both he and his wife, Stacy, to all the work entailed.

When everything came together and he watched the joy of so many coming together to celebrate, he was overwhelmed.

"I could not sing the words to 'God Bless America' because I was just too choked up, tears streaming" he said. "And I kept getting goose bumps when I saw all the folks at the picnic. Folks here step up when there's a need."

For the first time in quite awhile, a train went down the middle of Main Street during the 2012 Fourth of July parade.
As a result of the experience, Gary said, he's learned that of all the many places he's called home, Bonners Ferry is the most wonderful place he's ever lived.

"The wonderful rating is a direct result of the people I call neighbors, the residents of Bonners Ferry and Boundary County," he said. "I haven't been here that long, but it took a very short while for me to realize that the people of Boundary County will step up when called."

Judging by the crowd of folks who came to enjoy a whole afternoon of great events, culminating in what many called the best fireworks display in Bonners Ferry for years, there are a multitude of folks grateful for all Gary and Stacy did.

Back to Gary's list of thank yous.

A whole bunch of county kids polished and decorated their bikes for the Fourth of July bicycle contest.
"First and foremost," he said, "I want to thank God for the safety of the event and for perfect weather! Then, thank you to all who participated from donors to volunteers to those in attendance."

Instead of naming all the individuals so deserving of thanks, and running the inevitable risk of inadvertently leaving someone out, Gary chose instead to provide a brief overview of the five events that made up the celebration, knowing that none who contributed did it for thanks or a pat on the back, but all worked together in the best spirit of community.

The celebration began at 4 p.m. with a fun and lively Fourth of July parade down Main Street, well attended both in the number of folks who marched, pedaled, drove, skated or rode, and in the number of folks lining the parade route, cheering and raking in the candy.

There was a bicycle contest that brought a bunch of kids, all of whom adorned their bikes in patriotic attire.

County Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts led the parade, bringing the flags for the opening ceremonies.
Things got a little wet and exciting as a great many of Boundary County's volunteer firefighters took part in the Firefighter Challenge, which was considerably warm for the contestants, decked out as they were in full turnout gear, but refreshingly cool for the spectators who dared to get in close!

The most touching event, Gary said, was without doubt the Independence Day picnic hosted by Boundary Volunteer Ambulance.

"I was working near the stage immediately following the parade," Gary said, "and when I looked up and saw hundreds of folks enjoying the shade, the food, the events and each other, I was deeply moved. Julie Golder called it the Norman Rockwell moment."

Through donations, Boundary Volunteer Ambulance and the volunteers who contributed and helped raised nearly $1,400 to help Mike and Debbie Weland with medical expenses following Mike's stroke April 22.

As in most all Boundary County parades, the 2012 Fourth of July parade had no shortage of dressed up tractors and decked out cars.
The most spectacular part of the celebration came after the sun went down, and while the "oohs" and "aahs" of the crowd were awesome, Gary said the eight pyro technicians who launched the display likely had more fun than all the people watching!

"No one was injured and Alan and his team got to blow stuff up," Gary said. "Alan and Gerhardt both came to me after the finale with this wide-eyed look on their faces and said, 'that was intense!' That made it for me."

In an event that drew hundreds and lasted for several hours, Gary was pleased to report that everyone did their part to make the event a success, including the attendees. There were no problems, he said, just people of all ages having a great time. Law enforcement was present and visible, but they were enjoying all the activities, too.

"When I went to clean up the next morning," Gary said, "the grounds were spotless. So, once again, thank God, all our contributors and especially the people of Bonners Ferry and Boundary County!"

You can read more about the event, and see more pictures, at http://www.july-fourth.us. And everyone who helped or enjoyed this year's Boundary County Fourth of July should bookmark that site ... Gary's already working on putting together the Thursday, July 4, celebration to take place next year!