Stars & Stripes Days parade features bobber theme July 4

New July 3 event is loon calling contest before fireworks

PEQUOT LAKES —

Celebrate Stars & Stripes Days in Pequot Lakes on Wednesday and Thursday, July 3-4, with fireworks, the annual parade and many more activities.

The event will feature food vendors, bean bag toss tournament, kids’ activities, kiddie parade, music, craft fair and more. New this year is a loon calling contest.

Following is a schedule of events:

Wednesday, July 3

5 p.m.: Food vendors in South Trailside Park.

• 5 p.m.: Bean bag toss tournament registration in South Trailside Park. Cost is $20 per team with two players per team. Youth bracket is for ages 8-14. Adult bracket is for ages 15-plus. Cash prizes will go to firstthrough third-place teams in each bracket.

• 5 p.m.: Kids’ activities in South Trailside Park, including bungee trampoline, bounce house and kids climb.

• 6 p.m.: Bean bag toss tournament in South Trailside Park. Each team will be responsible for keeping track of their own score (honor system). Teams playing for first through third places will play for cash prizes.

• 7 p.m.: Sign up for the Loon Calling Contest.

7:30 p.m.: Loon Calling Contest.

• 8 p.m.: Live music by Hillbilly Rock.

• Dusk: Fireworks by North Star Fireworks from the Pequot Lakes High School practice field. Best viewing locations are Trailside Parks, Pequot Lakes School and TDS parking lot.

Thursday, July 4

• 7-11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast at the Pequot Lakes Fire Hall on Main Street, sponsored by the Pequot Lakes Fire District.

• 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Craft fair and food vendors in South Trailside Park.

• 9 a.m.: Kids’ activities in South Trailside Park.

• 9:30 a.m.: Kiddie parade at the band shelter in North Trailside Park.

• 10-11:30 a.m.: Parade lineup in the Pequot Lakes Middle School parking lot.

• 10 a.m.: Pie eating contest in front of the band shelter on North Trailside Park. Cost is $5 per person with cash prizes for winners.

• 11 a.m.: The Unicycling Unicorn Show in front of MN Traders.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Beer Garden by Pequot Lakes American Legion Post #49.

Noon: Stars & Stripes Days Parade with a bobber theme.

The parade will start on South Oak Street on the west side of Pequot Lakes School with the route traveling to Brown Street, Front Street, East Sibley Street, Government Drive, Main Street, South Washington Avenue, East Woodman Street and West Woodman Street, ending back at the school.

After parade: The Unicycling Unicorn Show in front of MN Traders. Fireworks donations To donate to next year’s fireworks show, visit pequotlakes.com, scroll down and click on “Donate to the fireworks show.” Or search @PequotLakesChamber to send a donation via Venmo. Mail donations to: Pequot Lakes Chamber, P.O. Box 208, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472.

CROSBY/IRONTON — The annual Crosby-Ironton Fourth of July parade will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 4, in Ironton.

After the parade, head to the Crosby Memorial Park where there will be live music, entertainment and various activities for all ages.

Fireworks will be at dusk over Serpent Lake.

Hallett Freedom 5K The Hallett Freedom 5K run/walk, a bib timed loop in Crosby, will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, July 5, starting at the Hallett Center of Crosby. Cost is $40 race fee plus a $3.10 signup fee. Sign up at https://hallettcenter.

–Francis Scott Key