Fourth of July activities round-up

Celebrate Independence Day in the lakes area starting Friday. Spectators will line the streets for holiday parades Saturday through Monday and fireworks displays will light up the skies Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights.

Following is a roundup of area Fourth of July activities.

BRAINERD/BAXTER

Following is a schedule of events:

Friday

• 5:30-9 p.m.: 20th annual Show & Shine Car Show, The Body Works, Baxter.

Friday-Sunday

• 30th annual Pleasureland RV Show & Go, Brainerd International Raceway

Sunday

• 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: 42nd annual Arts in the Park, Gregory Park, Brainerd.

Monday

• Noon: Free corn on the cob feed, Brainerd High School South Fifth Street parking lot.
• 4 p.m.: Parade, Brainerd. Grand marshal is Joe Haeg, Lake Shore, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts NFL football team.
• 6:30 p.m.: Headline band Hairball performs, Don Adamson field at Brainerd High School. Free admission.
• 10 p.m.: Presentation of the flag and Michael Schneider performs the national anthem.
• 10:15 p.m.: Fireworks and music by Zambelli Fireworks with music simulcast on 107.5 FM, The Power Loon, Don Adamson Field at Brainerd High School.

 
CROSBY

Monday

11 a.m. parade, beginning in Ironton through downtown Crosby, ending on East Main Street.

Following the parade, there will be live music, food vendors, beer garden, etc., in Crosby Memorial Park.

Fireworks at dusk by Crosby Fire Department.

CROSSLAKE

The 19th annual Grandpa's Run for the Walleye (5K, 10K, Kids Sunfish Dash) will start at 8:15 a.m. Saturday at the Crosslake Community Center.

Register online at walleyerun.zapevent.com. Paper forms are available at the Crosslake Community Center or download from www.wapoa.org . Race day registration will be from 7-8:15 a.m. Saturday at the community center.

Fireworks

Celebrate America will feature Crosslake's 46th annual fireworks display at dusk Saturday from Sand Island on the south end of Cross Lake.

Views are best from a boat, but for people on the shore, the County Road 16 bridge on the northwest side of Crosslake near The Wharf offers parking on the shoulders. Bring a lawn chair and sit next to your car.

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP

The annual reading of the Declaration of Independence will be 9 a.m. Monday at the Fairfield Town Hall. Fairfield Town Hall is located approximately 15 miles north of Crosby or 5 miles south of Emily on Highway 6 just north of the intersection of State Highway 6 and County Road 36. There will also be a short program of patriotic readings and music with light refreshments to follow.

LONGVILLE

Monday

• 11 a.m., parade, downtown Longville.
• Dusk, fireworks over Girl Lake.

 
MISSION TOWNSHIP

The annual Mission Township Independence Day Parade will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at Oak Spur and proceeding up Mission Park Drive to Mission Park.

Anyone interested in having an entry in the parade should arrive at Oak Spur at 10:30 a.m. to line up. No registration is needed. A trophy will be awarded for the best float.

Following the parade, root beer floats will be served at the Mission Park pavilion. Brats will be sold to benefit the Mission Fire Department. Gary Stacken will provide a variety of music. A scavenger hunt will highlight the natural treasures of the park. The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District will provide an information booth on private forest management.

Viewers can also see the fireworks from the beaches at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Crosslake Recreation Area (the campground). The recreation area entrance is at the intersection of County Road 3 and Route 66, but offers very limited parking.

Park at Andy's corner, the churches or nearby businesses along Route 66 and walk in. Bring blankets or chairs to sit on, and be respectful of the campers while walking through.

NISSWA

Nisswa will celebrate Freedom Days on Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3.

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

Following is a schedule of events:

Saturday, The Pines Golf Course (Grand View Lodge)

• 6-10 p.m: Party at the Pines featuring live music, kids games, face painting, blow ups, food, beverage and more.
• 10:15 p.m.: Fireworks.

Sunday, downtown Nisswa

• 8 a.m.: Nisswa Firecracker Run (1K, 5K and 10K). Online registration at www.runnisswa.com closes at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 2. On-site registration, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and 6-7:30 a.m. Sunday, Journey Church parking lot.
• Noon-9 p.m.: Eats & Treats throughout town. Paint Your Own Pottery at the gazebo; paintball blast in the Pickle parking lot; stagecoach rides by the mini doughnut stand.
• 1-3 p.m.: Turtle race registration.
• 3 p.m.: Turtle races at the turtle track behind the chamber building.
• 3-7 p.m.: Live music at the Pickle Factory featuring Lisa Wenger Band on an outdoor stage.
• 5 p.m.: Scavenger hunt. Go to the chamber office for clues.
• 5 p.m.: Learn to belly dance at the gazebo.
• 7 p.m.: Parade down Main Street.
• 8:15 p.m.-1 a.m.: Live music at the Pickle Factory featuring The Jonards on an outdoor stage.

 
PEQUOT LAKES

Stars & Stripes Days events will occur Sunday and Monday featuring fireworks, parades and entertainment for families. Following is a schedule of events that will take place at Trailside Park in downtown Pequot Lakes, unless otherwise noted:

Sunday

• 5-11 p.m.: Food vendors and beer garden sponsored by Community Action.
• 5 p.m.: Bungee trampoline/kids climb.
• 6:30 p.m.: Band performance by SOLO.
• After dusk: Fireworks by Zambelli Fireworks International at the high school ball fields.

Monday

• 7-11 a.m.: Firemen's pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire hall; $8 for adults, $5 for ages 12 and under.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Flea market, craft fair & food vendors.
• 10 a.m.: Money in the Haystack & Golden Bobber Hunt, Trailside Park North.
• 10:30 a.m.: Kiddie Parade registration, bandshell at Trailside Park North.
• 11 a.m.: Kiddie Parade, Veterans Memorial walking path at Trailside Park North.
• Noon: Stars & Stripes Parade.

Parade information
Parking will be available at TDS and Pequot Lakes High School (cross at stoplights). Handicapped parking will be available on Government Drive, East Butler Street, St. Alice Church and Old Highway 371 (Pequot Lakes Dental). Spaces will be marked.

Parking will not be allowed along the parade route or on County Road 11. Vehicles will be ticketed and towed if parked in these places.