2021 Brainerd Lakes Area 4th of July

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Above and bottom: Fireworks will once again light up the night sky the night of July 4 in Brainerd.

Brainerd Dispatch File Photos

The Crow Wing County Sheriff Mounted Patrol rides in last year’s Fourth of July parade in Brainerd.

The American Celebration features parade, fireworks T

he Brainerd lakes bills itself as Minnesota’s Fourth of July Capital. To that end, Brainerd Community Action again has organized its annual Independence Day festivities, otherwise known as The American Celebration.

Notably, the annual parade will be at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4, in Brainerd, followed by fireworks at 10:15 p.m. at Brainerd High School’s Don Adamson Field.

Tune into B93.3 on the radio for a Fourth of July broadcast that will include patriotic music during the fireworks.

This year’s parade will be one for the history books as Brainerd is celebrating its sesquicentennial and the city’s founding in 1871.

To celebrate the city’s 150 years, the Fourth of July parade theme incorporates the momentous anniversary and the history of Brainerd and Baxter.

Parade floats will showcase

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the area’s history through the generations, and Community Action promises surprises as well.

That history includes Brainerd as the northernmost crossing for the Northern Pacific Railway over the Mississippi River and the city’s early years of industry.

Fireworks viewing restrictions

Because of continued construction at Brainerd High School, there will be restrictions and guidelines for access to the fireworks celebration area.

These restrictions are in place for everyone’s safety. ► Entry from the east high school hill will not be available.

Plan for alternate walking routes this year. ► Entry must be made from the west side of the complex only. Use the marked gates along

East River Road to enter the celebration area. ► The grandstand bleachers at the football field will be open for a unique viewing experience. ► Picnic seating will be located throughout the celebration area.

Due to safety concerns, this excludes the athletic playing surfaces. ► It’s recommended that people bring bug spray and flashlights.

For more information about the parade route, visit BrainerdCommunityAction.org or visit the organization’s Facebook page.

Arts in the Park

Arts in the Park will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 27, in Gregory Park in Brainerd, featuring hundreds of artists and exhibitors for a summer art fair.

There will also be food vendors.

This event is free to attend.

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Little Miss and Mr. Fourth of July wave during last year’s Fourth of July festivities in Brainerd/Baxter.

Brainerd Dispatch File Photos

Royalty is always part of the Brainerd/Baxter Fourth of July parade.

Above and right: Fireworks will once again light up the night sky the night of July 4 in Brainerd.

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PEQUOT LAKES

Firefighters to host fundraiser pancake breakfast The Pequot Lakes Fire Department will host its annual Fourth of July pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m.

Sunday, July 4, at the Pequot Lakes Fire Hall on Main Street.

After canceling last year’s event because of COVID-19, the department and its members are anxious to see people this year. The pancake breakfast is the department’s only

fundraiser each year.

Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5.

Meet local firefighters, tour the fire hall, check out all of the trucks and equipment and celebrate the Fourth of July. Watch the parade after breakfast.

Echo Journal File Photo

Though last year’s Stars & Stripes Parade was canceled, the Pequot Lakes American Legion Color Guard marched downtown as a sole parade unit Saturday, July 4, 2020.

Stars & Stripes Days mean fireworks, parade S

tars & Stripes Days return to Pequot Lakes Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4, in Trailside Park and the downtown business district, featuring fireworks, family activities, a parade and live music.

Following is the schedule of events:

Saturday, July 3

► 5 p.m.: Food vendors. ► 5 p.m.: Bean bag toss tournament registration.

Registration is $10 per team of two players. The youth bracket is for ages 8-14; the adult bracket is for ages 15 and older. There will be cash prizes for first, second and third places in each bracket. ► 5 p.m.: Bungee Trampoline, Bounce House and Kids Climb in South Trailside Park. ► 6 p.m.: Beer Garden sponsored by Community Action of Pequot Lakes on Main Street between both sides of Trailside Park. ► 6 p.m.: Bean bag toss tournament begins in South Trailside Park. ► 7 p.m.: Music in the Park

in the band shelter in North Trailside Park. ► 9 p.m.: 34th Infantry Division Band in South Trailside Park. ► 10:10 p.m.: Fireworks by Flashing Thunder in the Pequot Lakes High School practice field.

Best viewing locations are both sides of Trailside Park, Pequot Lakes School and the TDS parking lot.

Sunday, July 4

► 7-11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast at the Pequot Lakes Fire Hall on Main Street. ► 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Craft fair and food vendors in South Trailside Park. ► 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Bungee Trampoline, Bounce House, Kids Climb and Water Wars in South

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Trailside Park) ► 10 a.m.: Kiddie parade at the band shelter in North Trailside Park. ► 10-11:30 a.m.: Parade lineup/ staging in the Pequot Lakes Middle School parking lot. ► 10:30 a.m.: Bed races on Main Street by the American Legion. This event is free with five per team and prizes. ► 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Beer garden sponsored by the Pequot Lakes American Legion Post #49. ► Noon: Stars & Stripes Parade.

Parade route

The parade will start from the west side of Pequot Lakes School and will go: ► North on South Oak Street. ► East on Brown Street. ► North on Front Street. ► East on North Sibley Street across Patriot Avenue. ► South on Government Drive. ► East on Main Street. ► South on Washington Avenue. ► West on Woodman Street and back across Patriot Avenue to the school.

Submitted Photo

Fireworks explode behind the Pequot Lakes bobber water tower in 2020.

Library to host book sale July 2-3 The Pequot Lakes Community Library will host a book sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, July 2 and 3, at the library.

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Wishing You and Yours a Safe and Happy Independence Day!

4th of July

On July Fourth, we celebrate the birth of the United States of America, and all the great things our nation represents. We’re proud of our country and the values it upholds, and we gratefully salute the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who fight to defend America and her ideals.

God bless the U.S.A.

“Oh Long May It Wave O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!” – Francis Scott Key

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CROSSLAKE

Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye remains virtual T

he Whitefish Area Property Owners Association’s 24th annual Run for the Walleye is being planned as a virtual run again this year.

Runners can run a 5K in Crosslake, starting at the Community Center, from Saturday, July 3, through Sunday, July 11, or they can run anywhere they choose at any time convenient for them.

The Crosslake Community Center course will be marked with arrows on the pavement. Families are encouraged to include their children.

It is a family event, so strollers and dogs are welcome.

Registrants will run/ walk a 5K (3.1 miles), keep track of their time and submit it via the registration website.

Fireworks show slated July 3 on Cross Lake

This is optional. Results will be available via a link on the registration website after Monday, July 12.

There is a $30 fee per registrant.

All registrants will receive a short-sleeve performance T-Shirt.

T-shirts can be picked up Saturday, July 10, at the community center, or they can be mailed to registrants for a $5 fee per shirt.

Register online by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 3, on the WAPOA website at www.wapoa.

org.

WAPOA typically uses race proceeds to benefit fish habitat in the Whitefish Chain of Lakes; however, this year the proceeds will benefit area food shelves.

The 51st annual Celebrate America fireworks show in Crosslake will take place at around 10 p.m. Saturday, July 3, launched from Sand Island on the south end of Cross Lake.

Tune into Skeeter 101.5FM to hear patriotic music simulcast to the fireworks.

Watch the show from the water or from the shores of Cross Lake.

Also taking place Saturday, July 3, are Crosslake’s Original Flea Market, Grandpa’s Virtual Run for the Walleye and outdoor music at 6 p.m. in Crosslake Town Square.

Shutterstock photo

The Crosslake Area Library’s annual book sale is planned July 2-3 at the community center.

Book sale planned at community center The Crosslake Area Library will host a book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 2-3, at the Crosslake Community Center.

The “Hook, Line and Books” summer read-

ing program is offered through Aug. 13 to children who have completed grades 1-6.

Contact the library at 218-692-7323 or visit www.cityofcrosslake. org/library.

Shutterstock graphic

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NISSWA

Firecracker Run on tap July 4 T

he Nisswa Firecracker Run will take place at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 4, in downtown Nisswa.

The annual run features 5K and 10K races and is limited to 2,500 runners.

The routes are flat, scenic, safe and made up of paved trails and streets, making this a family event and easy for anyone to participate, the runupnorth.com website says.

There’s also a Kidz Free Run for children 10 and under. A parent or guardian must be entered in the 5K or 10K for children to participate.

All runs end at the Nisswa Community Center with an optional Slip’N’Slide finish, crawfish boil, free beers for those age 21 and older, and a red, white and blue snow party.

The Nisswa Firecracker is a beneficiary to Bridges of Hope Minnesota.

Register before July 4.

For more information, visit runupnorth.com.

Echo Journal File Photo

A small group takes off at the start of the Nisswa Firecracker Run on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

Freedom Days Celebration culminates with parade

Lakes Area Artists to hold exhibit, sale July 2-3 Lakes Area Artists, a group of professional central Minnesota area artists, will hold their annual exhibit and sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 2 and 3, at the Live Well at the Journey Church in Nisswa.

Admission is free.

This group has been exhibiting for more than 23 years in the area, with an evolving and changing configuration of specialized artists.

This year the participating artists include Steven Weagel, Kerry Kupferschmidt, Bill Grange, Patricia Lintner, Mark Swenson, Tom Kulju and David Barthel.

A diverse range of media will be represented, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, hand-blown glass, sculpture, photography, pottery, leather work and more. Art offered varies from large custom paintings and sculpture to small prints and cards.

View art samples at www.Nisswa. com. Look at the group’s Facebook page for viewing updates.

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Celebrate freedom in Nisswa on Saturday, July 3, with a full schedule of Freedom Days Celebration activities, including Turtle Races, Water Wars, live music, food vendors and the Freedom Days Parade.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. with spectators lining both sides of Main Street to watch the various floats, marching veteran groups, high school marching bands, clowns, area royalty, fire trucks, car clubs, horseriding groups and more.

Following is a schedule of events:

1 p.m.: Turtle Race registration.

2 p.m.: Turtle Races Echo Journal File Photo at the downtown turtle A dragonfly hovers on an track.

4-7 p.m.: Live music American flag during the

by Betty and The Noise Fourth of July in 2020. at Ye Old Pickle Factory.

7 p.m.: Freedom Days music by The Express Band at Ye Old Pickle Parade.

8 p.m.-midnight: Live Factory.

Submitted Photo

Lakes Area Artist Steven Weagel, of Pequot Lakes, created this flames lamp.

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AREA FIREWORKS

T

he following Independence Day fireworks shows will take place at dusk in the Brainerd lakes area:

Saturday, July 3 ► Breezy Point:

Breezy Point Resort on Pelican Lake. ► Crosslake: Sand Island on Cross Lake. ► Pequot Lakes: High school practice field. Best viewing locations are both sides of Trailside Park,

Pequot Lakes School and the TDS parking lot.

Serpent Lake at Crosby Memorial Park. ► East Gull Lake: Madden’s on Gull Sunday, July 4 Lake. ► Brainerd: ► Longville: Over 10-10:30 p.m., location Girl Lake in front of TBD. Patrick’s. Come by boat or car. ► Crosby: Over

CROSBY

Parade with modified route, fireworks on tap The Crosby Fire Department is the main supporter of the Crosby-Ironton Fourth of July celebration.

The parade will start at noon Sunday, July 4, at its normal

location in front of the Ironton American Legion. Lineup will start at 11 a.m.

The parade route will be modified because of the road project through Crosby and

Ironton. The route will continue along Highway 210 as usual to Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent Lake, where it will conclude and exit onto Third Street Southwest to the west

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Activities will take place all day in the park, including a beer tent, food vendors, live music and more.

A fireworks show will start at dusk over Serpent Lake.

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Saturday, July 3rd 12:00pm-6:00pm Water Wars (Turtle Track parking lot) 1:00pm Turtle Race Registration (Turtle Track) 2:00pm Turtle Races (Turtle Track) 7:00pm Parade (Main Street)

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SAT T. JULY FIREWORKS @ 110:10 PM!

Food Ve endors | Bean Bag Toss Tournament | Beer Garden Kids Fun Park | Music in the t Park | 3 34th Infantry Division Band

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B | Craftt Fair | Food d Vendors | Kidd die Parade Pancake Breakfast Water Wars | Bed Races | Beer Garden

Sca n info or v the QR code for more ! isit w om c . ww.PequotLakes

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