Fourth of July

CeleBrating the Fourth oF July

Vietnam War veterans wave near the start of the annual Third of July Parade in Albert Lea a previous year. sarah stultz/albert lea tribune

Actress Marion Ross to be in town for unveiling of statue, annual parade

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

This year’s Independence Day festivities in Albert Lea are shaping up to be full of all kinds of activities as in years past.

Events kick off on July 2 with the unveiling of a statue in honor of “Happy Days” actress Marion Ross at the corner of Broadway and Marion Ross Street in front of the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Ross will be in attendance.

Glen Parsons, one of the volunteers on the fundraising committee, said the public is invited to the unveiling at 5:30 p.m.

The bronze statue has been created by sculptor Chad Fisher from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. The statue will feature Ross as her character from the hit TV show seated on a park bench with an outstretched hand inviting visitors to take a seat beside her for a photo op.

The fundraising committee said Ross helped to decide the location of the statue, which will be at an angle looking from the theater corner out across the lake to the beach, where she was a lifeguard. She also thought that her old house on High Street is just over the hill from the beach, so she would be forever looking at important images from her past that would make it the perfect spot.

Parsons said after the unveiling, there will be open house at Three Oak Winery, where members of the public can meet Ross and get autographs signed.

Ross has invited Henry Winkler, who played “The Fonz” on “Happy Days” to attend the unveiling because she attended his bronze statue unveiling in Milwaukee a few years ago. The committee hopes Winkler’s filming schedule of his show “Barry” will allow him to attend.

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ross grew up in Albert Lea and calls Albert Lea her hometown. She has done fundraising for the Freeborn County historical Museum with the donation of her blue garden truck from her “happy Days Farm,” which raised $20,000.

She has also taken the Albert Lea Community theatre under her wing, which performs at the theater that bears her name, the Marion ross Performing Arts Center. Both have benefited greatly through the years with her performances as she has given thousands of dollars back to her old community in support of the arts.

Third of July Parade/fireworks

the next day, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce will again host the annual third of July Parade, which starts at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, travels down Bridge Avenue, turns onto Fountain Street and ends at Central Park. this year’s theme will be “happier Days Ahead” with ross named as the grand marshal, Chamber Executive Director Shari Jenson said.

“We’re just so excited this is back on,” Jenson said, noting she has been told the portion of Bridge Avenue needed for the parade will be open for the event.

Lineup starts at 4:30 p.m. July 3, and the parade starts at 6 p.m. Parsons said after the parade ross will likely be able to sign additional autographs at Central Park or near the new statue.

Entities that would like to be a part of the parade need to submit their applications to the chamber by June 15. Fees are $75 for chamber members, $125 for commercial nonmembers, $50 for nonprofits, $125 for politicians and free for emergency vehicles and veterans groups. there will be a late fee after June 15. on the Fourth of July, the Bayside Water Ski Show team will perform at 2 p.m. on Edgewater Bay. this year’s show is titled “Bayside City Summer Days” and revolves around the fun activities that take place as small towns celebrate their communities in the summer, such as through marching bands, parades, street dances and carnivals.

People should bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. there is an entry fee at the gate for admission.

At dusk, the annual fireworks display will take place from City Beach.

A fundraising effort for the show was slated to take place June 4. Fireworks will be lit off from City Beach at dusk on the Fourth of July. Colleen Harrison/albert lea tribune