SEELEY LAKE – The Fourth of July celebrations are returning to Seeley Lake again this year with overwhelming community support. A citizens’ committee formed in May to organize the Highway 83 Parade and fireworks over the Lake. The Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce agreed to apply for the Department of Transportation (MDT) permit, carry the insurance and hire Big Sky Fireworks for the public display over Seeley Lake Sunday, July 4.
The Seeley Swan Pathfinder ran a survey regarding Fourth of July activities in Seeley Lake. Out of 420 responses, 94% said they would attend or participate in the Highway 83 parade and 95% wanted the public fireworks display over the lake. There was also a lot of support for the Boat Parade with 78% saying they would participate or attend the boat parade.
The big community split was the location of the fireworks on the lake. Visible in the south bay from Lindey’s Steak House lawn was the most popular with 58% of the responses, However 38% wanted the display in the middle of the lake, like last year, and visible from the campgrounds.
Those who put their name and contact information on the survey were contacted and met for the first time May 20. Everyone was excited to bring back the hometown celebration for the community and visitors. They decided on the theme Celebrate Freedom.
Pending insurance and MDT permit approval, the downtown parade will be held at 2 p.m. from A Street to Redwood Lane on Highway 83. While there will be no formal registration, prizes or announcing this year, all participants will need to sign in for insurance purposes. The committee encourages everyone to put together an entry and asks that it remains G-rated for this family-friendly event.
Due to a Lolo National Forest order, the campgrounds will not be open to the public after 10 p.m. to watch the fireworks. Lindey’s owners Mike and Jenny Lindemer agreed to open their lawn to the public to watch the fireworks scheduled for dusk. Code Red will also be playing live music on their lawn from 6 - 10 p.m. July 4.
Due to the inability to purchase insurance, the committee and Chamber will not be organizing an official Boat Parade this year. However, this does not prohibit community members from organizing a boat caravan.
In addition to the parade and the fireworks on July 4, the Seeley Lake Fire Foundation will be holding their pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Fire Hall in the morning, Mission Bible Fellowship will be hosting their free barbecue for lunch, the Seeley Lake Market will be held on the Seeley Lake Community Foundation lawn and the Duck Races will happen following the parade on the Clearwater River. A full schedule will be printed in the Pathfinder July 1 and be posted around town.
The committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at Lindey’s. Everyone is welcome.
If you would like to donate to support the Seeley Lake Fourth Parade and Fireworks there are cans available at Seeley Lake businesses or fill out and return the donation form to the Seeley Lake Chamber, Box 516, Seeley Lake by June 25. Forms or donations can also be dropped off in the drop box outside of the Pathfinder’s office in the Bison and Bear Center. Donor names will be printed in the Pathfinder.
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