Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is celebrated in the region The Fourth of July is celebrated in the region

Family friendly events are held in several area communities on the Fourth of July, with food, parades, music and fireworks intertwined with patriotic celebrations of Independence Day.

Here’s a look at some of the celebrations across the region:

MAYNARD

Maynard’s Fourth of July activities will kick off with parades – a kiddie parade at 10:30 a.m. and the Grand Day Parade at 11 a.m.

After the parade, there’s a picnic in the park and entertainment in the afternoon.

Fireworks will go off at dusk.

The event is sponsored by the Maynard Lions Club.

PAYNESVILLE

Two lake associations will celebrate Independence Day with boat parades.

The Rice Lake boat parade will be held Saturday, July 3, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The decorated boats are to begin lining up at 1:30 by Fisher’s Resort. The lake is between Eden Valley and Paynesville.

The Koronis Lake boat parade begins at 2 p.m., July 3. Boats are to line up beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Koronis Ministries. The Koronis Lake Association sponsors a fireworks show at dusk. The lake is just south of Paynesville.

PRINSBURG

The Fourth of July celebration in Prinsburg will be on July 3.

This event begins with the Freedom Fun Run at 8 a.m., which has a 2.5-mile running route and 1.5-mile walking route. It also includes Adam’s Race for children from preschool through eighth grade. The distance for that race is based on a child’s age.

There is no entry fee for runners/walkers. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. in front of Central Minnesota Christian School.

Event sponsors make a donation to Central Minnesota Christian School for each person who finishes the walk or run.

Online registration will be available on the school’s website beginning in June.

For more information about activities, go to www.cmcschool.org/support/ freedom-fun-run-adams-race.cfm

There will be a free-will donation pork dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school. The rest of the day will include a variety of entertainment, inflatables and patriotic celebrations in town, with a parade at 5 p.m. All proceeds for the day support the school.

SPICER

Located on beautiful Green Lake, the city of

Spicer draws thousands of people seeking sun and fun during the July 4th holiday.

A weekend of celebration begins with the opening of the annual Briggs

Motley Arts & Crafts Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 3-5.

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Continued from page 37

A sand volleyball tournament and the Hoops by the Lake 3 on 3 basketball tournament will be on July 3.

A boat parade on Green Lake begins at 10 a.m. July 3. Those interested in participating are asked to line up at the old Spicer Castle location. The Danny Boy from Green Lake Cruises will lead the parade around the lake.

The Fourth of July kicks off at 8 a.m. with a Lion’s pancake breakfast and church on the beach. The Grand Parade begins at 10 a.m., and fireworks are at dusk over Green Lake.

The annual street dance featuring the Fabulous Armadillos begins at 8 p.m. July 3.

The annual Green Lake Road Race starts from Saulsbury Beach the morning of July 5. The event brings runners from around the state and has many divisions. To register go to signmeup.com/reg/ form/124193/registration.

Check www.spicermn.com for additional information about Fourth of July activities.

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Adventure is a paddle stroke away Adventure is a paddle stroke away

Paddling enthusiasts call the waters of West Central Minnesota the “Boundary Waters of Southern Minnesota,’’ and for good reason. The rivers and streams of west central Minnesota are waters where you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a wilderness-like solitude.

And, they are easy-to-reach and offer a wide variety of paddling adventures.

Maps are available from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and on its Web site detailing the river routes on the Minnesota River, Little Crow River and portions of the Chippewa and Pomme de Terre Rivers.

Or, paddling enthusiasts Lynn and Robert Diebel published a popular guidebook “Paddling Southern Minnesota’’ (2007, Trail Press of Madison, Wis.) It offers narrative accounts of possible routes, put-in locations and maps.

Here’s your abbreviated guide to some of the best:

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Continued from page 42 MINNESOTA RIVER

There are more than 330 miles of waterway to explore, starting at Big Stone Lake and reaching the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling.

Of course, there’s ample opportunity to make two- or three-hour excursions to discover short but exciting segments of the river. The Minnesota River meanders through an oversized valley carved by the Glacial River Warren. The glacial waterway carved a path some 200 feet deep and two miles wide. It offers the modern explorer scenic vistas of wooded blufflands, towering granite outcrops and tree-lined shore lines.

There is no portion of the river lacking scenery, but arguably the most scenic portion of the river runs from the Upper Sioux Agency State Park south of Granite Falls to Redwood Falls. This portion of the river offers some of the most dramatic examples of the granite outcrops.

CHIPPEWA RIVER

Officially designated as a state canoe route, the Chippewa River offers gentle paddling during normal water conditions and surprising scenery of islands, woodlands and steep bluffs. The best paddling is found above the Watson Lion’s Park. Starting points for adventure include Ambush Park in the city of Benson, Big Bend and the Lentz Landing at the Minnesota Highway 40 bridge east of Milan.

LAC QUI PARLE RIVER

The Lac qui Parle River offers an opportunity to surprise an incredible array of wildlife, from eagles and owls to softshell turtles the size of wheel covers. The river’s sharp bends, towering cut banks and occasional whitewater makes every outing an adventure. The most popular route is an approximate 3-hour paddle from Lac qui Parle County Park to Lac qui Parle State Park near the confluence with the Minnesota River.

POMME DE TERRE RIVER

The fast-moving Pomme de Terre offers opportunities to surprise otters and an astonishing variety of birds, while viewing the changing prairie and woodland landscape. The Pomme de Terre also offers some of the area’s best angling opportunities for walleye. Popular trips include runs from the Swift County Park on U.S. Highway 12 north of Appleton to the city of Appleton, and from Appleton to Marsh Lake.

HAWK CREEK/YELLOW MEDICINE RIVER

When water conditions are right, Hawk Creek and the Yellow Medicine River offer some of the state’s very best whitewater paddling opportunities. Each spring the two waterways attract whitewater enthusiasts from around the state.

On both waterways, be prepared to be on your own. There are very few intersecting bridges or signs of civilization as the waters race toward the Minnesota River.

Trips on Hawk Creek often start near or upstream of U.S. Highway 212 and continue to Renville County’s Skalbakken Park at the confluence with the Minnesota River.

Trips on the Yellow Medicine River often start at the Minnesota Highway 274 (Wood Lake road) bridge and continue to the confluence with the Minnesota River at the Upper Sioux Agency State Park.

It’s advisable to scout out water conditions before attempting a trip, or contact Clean Up the River Environment at 320-269-2984 for information on water levels.

Real-time data on water flows on Hawk Creek are also available online at: www.dnr.state. mn.us/waters/csg/ index.html

LITTLE CROW RIVER

It gets its start in Pope County, but the North Fork of the Little Crow River is best for canoeing as it leaves the Lake Koronis Spillway near Paynesville. There are rapids and hidden snags to watch for, but much of the river is well suited for family canoeing.