Area ready for bang-up 4th of July

In the summer of 1995, I worked a three month internship at The Warroad Pioneer, which I'm sorry to say has since ceased operation. This was the first professional newspaper that I worked for in my career, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I had only worked at Bemidji State University's newspaper for about a year and half before landing the internship. At The Pioneer I gained experience in sports, feature, beat and government reporting. I designed pages, took and developed photographs and was responsible for community relations. The best part is that I remain friends with the owners nearly 30 years later.

July 4, 1995

By Devlyn Brooks

If the weather holds up its end of the bargain, there will be plenty of things for people to do in northwestern Minnesota over the Fourth of July weekend. A number of towns have celebrations planned for not only Tuesday, July 4, but also for the entire weekend beforehand.

Along with the traditional fireworks and parades there will be several street dances and many other individual activities to keep all ages busy. If you are bingo lover, you will be in bingo heaven over the Fourth of July weekend.

Baudette

The activities in Baudette will consist of one day, the Fourth, but it is a day jam packed with activities from 7 a.m. until midnight.

There will be buttons on sale for $2 at local merchants that will help support the Fourth of July activities. The buttons will enter the holder in the door prize drawings throughout the day. One $50 prize, two $25 prizes and locally donated merchandise will be awarded.

The day will begin with breakfast being served at the Brink Center from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. for any late risers.

A co-ed volleyball tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. if enough teams are registered. The tournament will take place across from the VFW.

Food booths will open at 10 a.m.

A Kiddie Parade will take place on Main Avenue at 11:30 a.m., which will be followed by the main parade at noon. This will also take place on Main Avenue.

A "Diaper Derby" will take place at Willie Walleye Park at 1:30 p.m., followed by a performance by the Lake of the High School Cheerleaders. There will be kids' races at the park at 2:30 p.m.

Bingo will be held at the America Legion Club Room from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

At 4 p.m. there will be an arm wrestling contest, and at 6 p.m. there will be a lip sync contest on Main Avenue.

The evening will begin with a street dance starting at 8 p.m. on Main Avenue. The band "Power Play" is back by popular demand. There will be a beer garden open all day from noon to midnight.

To end the night there will be fireworks at dusk.

Roosevelt

There will be a flea market open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Roosevelt Arena Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4.

Karlstad

The theme for this year's Fourth of July celebration in Karlstad is "Hometown Pride in '95." Karlstad has an entire week's worth of activities planned, encompassing a wide variety of activities.

On Thursday, June 29, the Karlstad Community Theatre will hold a performance at 8 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Tri County auditorium.

The theater group will present another performance at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Musical entertainment will run all day between Germundson's and the barbershop featuring Ryan Olson's Band at 4 p.m., the Cathy Erickson Band at 5 p.m., the Community Band at 6 p.m., Arlen Tunheim at 7 p.m. and finally Hodne's at 8 p.m. There will be supper and karaoke at the American Legion starting at 5 p.m., and also supper and dancing at the Eagle's beginning at 5 p.m. There will be an art show at the Town & Country Restaurant, and the local stores will remain open until 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 1, with a 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. breakfast provided by the Eagles Auxiliary. There will be a 10K run/walk at 8 a.m. The kiddie parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the main parade at 11 a.m. There will also be kiddie games at 1 p.m. by the skating rink, and pony rides will be offered behind the bank from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., supper and dancing will begin at the Eagles at 5 p.m. and the Legion will have a beer tent. The finale of the evening will be the all-school reunion which has various activities scheduled from noon until 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 2, will begin with a breakfast at the Community Center from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Along with normal area church services, St. Edward Catholic Church of Strandquist will be celebrating its 75th anniversary at 1:30 p.m. There will be softball games, a four-man scramble golf tournament, individual class picnics and family reunions. There will be an ecumenical church service at 7:30 p.m.

There will be a benefit auction at Moose Park beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 3. There will be another couples best ball golf tournament starting at 11 a.m.; a Community Theater performance at 8 p.m. and supper and karaoke at the Eagles Club. The climax of the night will be a laser light show at the Tri County School grounds. Spectators are advised to bring their own lawn chairs.

The Kittson County Museum will display a special school section during the Fourth of July weekend, along with musical entertainment.

Lancaster

Lancaster will be celebrating the Fourth of July weekend with the theme of "Feel the Pride in '95."

The action begins Friday, June 30, with a ham supper from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. sponsored by the Zion Lutheran Church.

Saturday, July 1, will begin with some more food as there will be a pancake breakfast running at the American Legion from 8 a.m. until noon. A petting zoo, food booths, craft sales and flea markets will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be sidewalk sales all day by local merchants, and bandshell music will be playing in the gazebo. A kiddie parade with the theme of "Lancaster Our Hats Off to You" will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by the main parade at 3 p.m. Supper will be served at the Legion at 5 p.m. and the Heritage Run/Walk will begin at 6 p.m. A dance will be held featuring "Maury Finney" starting at 9 p.m., and there will be an auction of school memorabilia between intermissions of the dance. Buggy rides will be offered, also.

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 2, there will be a nondenominational church service at the gazebo. There will be a banquet at the school from noon to 2 p.m., and tours of the school will run from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Bandshell music will again be playing at the gazebo, and an all school reunion program will be held at 7 p.m.

Monday, July 3, will begin with a horse show at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Kittson County Saddle Club at the old ball diamond. School tours will be given between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; separate class reunions will be going on; and individual family reunions will also be taking place. Buggy rides will be available, and there will be karaoke at the gazebo from 8 p.m. until midnight.

On the Fourth, there is a co-ed team softball tournament planned, games for kids and more bandshell music at the gazebo. Buggy rides will again be available. There will be a supper at the Legion from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., preceding the fireworks at sundown.

Greenbush

The Greenbush celebration will add a different spice than other area towns to their local celebration by involving their race park.

The action begins at the Greenbush Race Park with a demolition derby Friday, June 30, at 7 p.m. Beginning at 9 p.m. there will be live music by "Midnight Reign" at FineTymes (formerly the Greenbush Supper Club).

On Saturday, July 1, the Pelan Park Players will present "Hillbilly Weddin'," and stock car racing will begin at the race park around 6 p.m. Live music will once again be provided by "Midnight Reign" at FineTymes beginning at 9 p.m.

There will be a full day of events on Sunday, July 2. A number of events will occur between noon and 4 p.m. There will be a car show, live music by "Midnight Reign" at the Town & Country Club, beer gardens sponsored by the Greenbush Fire Department and the Boys Down Under Bowling Team will have a food stand. The Pelan Park Players will perform again at 6 p.m. On Main Street, the Gator Wrestling Club will sponsor a dunking booth, the Fire Department's beer garden will still be operating and a dance to the music of "Midnight Reign."

At 4 p.m. on Monday, July 3, there will be a dart tournament at Remedies. At 7 p.m. there will be more stock car action at the race park. "Midnight Reign" will entertain at FineTymes once again at 9 p.m.

Tuesday, July 4, will wind down the week of events with a kiddie parade at 11 a.m. There will also be a Fourth of July raffle held at the Town & Country Club. From noon to 4 p.m. there will be music, food and games in the Legion Park.

Warroad

The Warroad celebration will add a carnival to their Fourth of July weekend festivities. However, there are some similarities in plans also.

Saturday, July 1, will kick off the carnival, which will run all day. At 7:15 p.m., the Lake of the Woods Casino will sponsor bingo, and at 8 p.m. Warroad Summer Theatre will present "Anne of Green Gables." Capping off the night will be a street dance that will run from 8 p.m. until midnight starring "RipChord." Beer and brats will be available.

The carnival will run Sunday, July 2, also. A breakfast will be available at the Warroad Community Center from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The WST will present "Anne of Green Gables" again at 2 p.m., and there will also be a repeat performance of the Lake of the Woods Casino bingo at 2:15 p.m. The highlight of the day will be the "Catch, Spin & Win" fishing derby held on Lake of the Woods.

Monday, July 3, will be kids day in Warroad. Kids will receive discounts on rides at the carnival from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. They also will be served free ice cream from the Roseau County Dairy Association from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Kids 6 to 12 years old will be able to play miniature golf at Putt 4 Par for $1.50, and kids 5 and under will be able to play for free. Lake of the Woods Casino will sponsor Megabingo at 7 p.m., and the annual alumni banquet will top off the evening at 7 p.m.

The Fourth of July will be the biggest day of Warroad's celebration. The carnival will run all day, and so will softball tournaments, face painting for kids from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m., Warroad Chamber of Commerce-sponsored bingo from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. and the Cathy Erickson Band will play from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. There will be a parade at 10 a.m., and many other activities at the beach from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be cash drawings at 7 p.m. that can be won by purchasing a Warroad Chamber of Commerce button, and capping the evening off will be an air show at 8 p.m. and fireworks about 10 p.m.