AN OLD-FASHIONED NORMAN ROCKWELL FOURTH OF JULY Bonners Ferry looks to next year to continue the small-town tradition
By Abigail Thorpe
“THE PEOPLE IN BOUNDARY COUNTY ARE SOME OF THE MOST GENEROUS PEOPLE ON THE PLANET, AND THAT'S BOTH WITH MONEY AND TIME.”
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onners Ferry has a long history of gathering the community on the Fourth of July to celebrate our independence the small-town way, and it put forward their best effort this year despite the challenges that COVID-19 threw its way, but unfortunately we will have to wait until next year for the usual festivities to return. “It's a small town, all-American kind of Norman Rockwell July Fourth,” says Gary Leanord, who spearheaded the efforts to continue the fireworks show and family celebrations, despite the city and county pulling their usual support of the event due to COVID-19 concerns. Leonard stayed firm in his mission to bring the community together to celebrate America’s freedom, but despite his determination, reached out to Bonners Ferry Living Local at press time to inform us, and to let our readers know, that the event would not be going forward as they had planned. Particularly after months of social distancing and staying home, people were excited for an opportunity to come together, laugh and
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celebrate. This year’s event may be canceled, but families and individuals can still celebrate our country’s independence with those closest to us, until we can once again gather as a town. For years the July 4th celebrations have taken place at the local Boundary County Fairgrounds. A town parade usually starts the celebrations off, composed of Bonners Ferry locals. Typically 300 to 400 people attend the parade every year, and anyone is invited to show up and participate. “It's a small-town parade, it's the coolest type of parade you can imagine,” says Leonard. Kids eagerly look forward all year to the Family Fun Night that follows the traditional opening ceremonies, when Leonard’s son brings out Adison’s Potato Gun of Fun. Live music, concessions and good old-fashioned fun have always been a marker of the Bonners Ferry Fourth of July. The highlight of the event is always the fireworks show, which has been a tradition for many years and will be much missed this year. Leonard first attended a Bonners Ferry fireworks
