4th of July celebrations set in the Brainerd area

Proclaimed the "Fourth of July Capital," Brainerd/Baxter holiday festivities will feature a parade, music and fireworks Thursday, July 4, with various other events throughout the lakes area following July 4.

BRAINERD/BAXTER

Thursday, July 4

The American Celebration

4 p.m.: Parade, Brainerd. Grand marshal is Lisa Jordan, The Crossing Arts Alliance.

5:30 p.m.: Bill "The King" Musel.

6:30 p.m.: Def Leggend, a Def Leppard tribute band, Don Adamson Sports Complex, Brainerd High School. Free admission.

10 p.m.: Peyton McConkey, senior at Brainerd High School from the A Cappella Choir, performs the national anthem.

10:15 p.m.: Fireworks, Don Adamson Sports Complex, Brainerd High School.

Friday-Sunday, July 5-7

PleasureLand RV Show and Go, Brainerd International Raceway.

Friday-Saturday, July 12-13

Iconic Fest, Green Lantern.

Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14

"This One's for Hop" softball tournament, called the Hopper Tourney, Memorial Park, Brainerd.

CROSBY

Holiday events in Crosby include a street dance, kiddie parade and main parade, fireworks and more.

Wednesday, July 3

• 7 p.m.-1 a.m.: Maucieri's Bistro on Wheels will serve meals.

• 9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Street dance at the Spalding, 1 W. Main St., Crosby, featuring live music with Kings Ransom. There will be a $5 cover charge. Those who attend must be 21 or older.

Thursday, July 4

• 11 a.m.: Crosby's Kiddie Parade along Main Street, hosted by the Crosby Fire Department Auxiliary. Entrants are asked to be on the street between the post office and the former Heartland Cafe (Second Avenue Northwest) by 10:30 a.m. The route will go down Main Street, ending by SuperOne.

First place is a $30 certificate; second place wins a $20 certificate; and third place, a $10 certificate.

For more information or to sign up for the parade, contact Jodi Christopher at 218-330-0849. Entries/registration will be accepted the morning of July 4. No cost to enter.

• 11 a.m.: Crosby parade starting in Ironton along Highway 210 and traveling 2 miles to end at Second Avenue East in Crosby.

• All day: Activities at Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent Lake will include a beer garden, food vendors, live music, activities and more.

• Dusk: Fireworks. Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets to spend the whole day at the lake.

Friday, July 5

• Noon-midnight: The annual Fourth of July Parking Lot Party will be at the Midway Bar. The Vigilant Guardians Veterans Motorcycle Club will sell $5 burger or brat meals (includes chips and soda) and sell signature clothing. All proceeds will benefit veterans and families across the lakes area through the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) Vigilant Guardians Veterans Motorcycle Club.

• 8 p.m.-midnight: Live music by 8 foot 4 for a $5 cover charge. Those who attend must be 21 or older with a valid ID. For more information call 218-546-5981.

Saturday, July 6

• 2 p.m.: Rabbit Lake Parade of Boats, hosted by the Rabbit, Clunker, Cuyuna, Carlson Lakes Association. Meet at the boat landing on East Rabbit Lake (between East and West Rabbit Lakes) at 2 p.m. or join in when convenient. The route will be East Rabbit Lake going clockwise and then West Rabbit Lake going clockwise.

CROSSLAKE

2019 marks the 49th year Crosslake has been celebrating America's freedom with a fireworks display.

The Celebrate America-Crosslake fireworks show will be at dusk (about 10 p.m.) Saturday, July 6, when fireworks will be launched from barges anchored near Sand Island on the south end of the lake. View the fireworks from the water and shores of Cross Lake.

Tune into B93.3 on the radio to hear patriotic music simulcast to the fireworks.

Look for the Celebrate America Fireworks Party Barge on the Whitefish Chain 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Pull up and meet B93.3 radio personality Wild Bill Satre, make a donation to the fireworks display and maybe he'll throw you a tchotchke.

Organizers seek help to support this annual tradition. Make a $100 or more tax-deductible contribution and receive a shoutout on B93.3 Radio just before the fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Tax deductible donations can be payable to "Fireworks-The PAL Foundation" and mailed to Crosslake Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 315, Crosslake, MN 56442.

Events happening earlier in the day Saturday, July 6 in Grandpa's Run for the Walleye, Crosslake's Original Flea Market, Crosslake Library book sale and outdoor music in Crosslake Town Square.

Visit www.crosslake.com for more information.

LONGVILLE

Celebrate July 4 in downtown Longville.

There will be free inflatables for the kids at 9:30 a.m.

The food court will open at 10 a.m., including food by the Longville Chamber of Commerce, bake sale from Young-At-Heart Senior Club and walking tacos by the Longville Lions.

Staging for the parade will begin at 10 a.m. in the Salem Lutheran Church parking lot.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. followed by kids' races, games, contests and prizes for all ages.

Longville's fireworks display will take place at dusk over Girl Lake.

NISSWA

The annual Nisswa Freedom Days Celebration and Parade will take place Wednesday, July 3, with a full schedule of activities and the parade down Main Street at 7 p.m.

Activities throughout the day will include turtle races, Water Wars, live music, food vendors and more.

Spectators line both sides of Main Street to watch Freedom Days Parade, which includes various floats, marching veterans groups, high school marching bands, clowns, area royalty, fire trucks, car clubs, horse-riding groups and more.

The Nisswa Chamber of Commerce invites businesses, organizations and individuals to enter the parade. For more information, contact the chamber at 218-963-2620 or info@nisswa.com .

The annual Nisswa Firecracker Run featuring 5K and 10K races, as well as a Kids Fun Run, will start 8 a.m. Saturday, July 6, in downtown Nisswa.

Wednesday, July 3

• Noon-4 p.m.: Kevin Matthews Paint Your Own Pottery, in the gazebo by the chamber building.

• Noon-6 p.m.: Water Wars in the turtle race track parking lot next to the chamber building.

• 1-2 p.m.: Turtle races registration.

• 2 p.m.: Turtle races.

• 4-7 p.m.: The Spirit of Jesse Brady on the outdoor stage at the Pickle Factory.

• 7 p.m.: Freedom Days Parade.

• After the parade: Live music featuring the EXPRESS Band on the outdoor stage at the Pickle Factory and Blue Eyes Karaoke at the Nisswa American Legion.

PEQUOT LAKES

Celebrate Stars & Stripes Days in Pequot Lakes on Wednesday and Thursday, July 3-4, with fireworks, a parade, entertainment and more.

New this year are Bobber Bracelets. Buy a Bobber Bracelet for $5 from retailers in town or at the chamber building and proceeds will go to support the Pequot Lakes fireworks show. Wear a bracelet for deals and discounts at local businesses July 1-17.

Wednesday, July 3

• 5 p.m.: Food vendors.

• 5-8 p.m.: Bungee Trampoline, Kids Climb, Barrel Train and Bouncy House, Trailside Park South.

• 6-10 p.m.: Beer garden sponsored by Community Action of Pequot Lakes.

• 6 p.m.: Bean bag toss tournament ($10 per two-player team).

• 7 p.m.: Band performance by LOLAH, Trailside Park.

• 10:10 p.m.: Fireworks. Recommended viewing locations are Trailside Park, Pequot Lakes High School varsity baseball field, Pequot Lake Middle School parking lot and TDS Telecom parking lot. Listen to B93.3 on the radio for fireworks sponsors and patriotic music.

Thursday, July 4

• 7-11 a.m.: Firefighters' pancake breakfast, fire hall.

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Craft fair and food vendors, Trailside Park South.

• 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Water Wars, Bungee Trampoline, Kids Climb and Bouncy House, Trailside Park South.

• 10 a.m.: Money in the Haystack and Golden Bobber Hunt, Trailside Park North.

• 10:30 a.m.: Kiddie Parade, Trailside Park North.

• 10:30 a.m.: Bed Races, starting line on Government Drive and Main Street.

• 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Beer garden sponsored by Pequot Lakes American Legion Post 49.

• Noon: Stars & Stripes Parade.