Not All Festivities Wait For July Fourth Plenty Of Sparkling Choices For Music, Parades, Fireworks

Let it not be said that North Idaho is unpatriotic.

Every year, Panhandle communities plan festivals to celebrate the nation’s independence - and to remember what it cost to win and keep that freedom.

Not all parades and fireworks shows are planned for July Fourth, however. Some towns are getting an early start.

Community celebrations include:

In Coeur d’Alene, a children’s parade begins Monday at 10 a.m. on Sherman Avenue. The parade is sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce. All children are welcome and are asked to arrive in time to line up at 9:30 a.m.

“The Century in Review” Fourth of July Parade begins the next day at 11 a.m. on Sherman, followed by a barbecue and free concert in City Park. The event is sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association. Charlie Budds and the Filter Tips, a blues band, will provide entertainment.

Festivities in Coeur d’Alene end Tuesday night with a fireworks display at dusk. The display can be seen from City Park and its beach, as well as from the lake.

Sandpoint’s weekend carnival at the beach is under way and continues through Wednesday. At 9 a.m. Tuesday a kids parade will begin downtown in Sandpoint followed by the “Grand Parade” at 10 a.m. The theme this year is “Stars and Stripes in Sandpoint.”

A variety show, duck race and other events for kids will begin after the parade at 2 p.m. at the city beach. At dusk a fireworks display will light up the sky over Lake Pend Oreille.

If you missed Bayview Daze on Saturday, don’t despair. The fun continues today with the arts and crafts fair on Main Street, then a dinghy derby at the Bitter End Marina at 11 a.m., followed by a boat parade at 3 p.m.

Harrison’s Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Tuesday fireworks show at dusk. Veteran pyrotechnicians Rick and Jan Voss will torch the night sky from the Harrison marina.

In Spirit Lake, registration for the city’s sixblock parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Spirit Lake Elementary School. It will begin at 11 a.m. and continue to Main Street. Food, crafts and music will follow at City Park. Fireworks begin at dusk at East Jefferson Ball Park.

In Athol, Silverwood Theme Park hosts a fireworks display at dusk Tuesday and every Friday and Saturday after that until Aug. 26.

Kellogg’s KOA will have fireworks at 10 p.m. Tuesday, wrapping up a day of activities including a pancake breakfast, craft fair, pie and watermelon eating contests, games, barbecue and other entertainment.

Moscow’s parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday down Main Street, with special events in town all day. Fireworks begin about 9:30 p.m. at Guy Wicks Field.

In Priest Lake, fireworks begin at dusk Tuesday at Hill’s Resort.

In Worley, The Coeur d’Alene Casino will have fireworks at dusk on Tuesday. The casino will also be giving away two Jet Skis, with drawings starting at 7 p.m.

This sidebar appeared with the story: FOURTH OF JULY Most public offices closed

The following offices and services will be affected by the Independence Day holiday Tuesday.

City garbage pickup will be one day late for the holiday week.

City and county offices will be closed.

Post offices will be closed.

State liquor stores will be open.

Most banks will be closed Tuesday with regular hours on Monday.