"Summer in Seeley" theme for 2022 Fourth Celebration

SEELEY LAKE - The Fourth of July Committee and the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce have been working for the past month to organize this year's Fourth of July celebration in Seeley Lake. This year's theme is "Summer in Seeley - From Pirates to Patriots" with Pyramid Mountain Lumber's Roger Johnson and his wife Rhea honored as the Grand Marshals.

This year the Seeley-Swan High School Art Class students made posters to help promote the Fourth of July activities. The Committee selected Aubrey Matthew, Sawyer Shelmerdine and Oskar Murphy's posters to help promote the events. Copies of their art will be hung around Seeley Lake.

The celebration on July 4 will include the annual parade at 2 p.m. on Highway 83 and fireworks over Seeley Lake visible from Lindey's Prime Steak House lawn at dusk. There will be many other activities hosted by local organizations throughout the weekend as well as on the Fourth.

Parade Announcer Steve Thompson will be back behind the microphone again this year. Entrants will be announced as they pass by Seeley Lake Auto Parts. Everyone participating in the parade must register and show proof of insurance for vehicles licensed to be on the roadway. All participants must abide by the rules required by Montana Department of Transportation including: handing candy and other items out past the white line (not throwing), not spraying the crowd with water and maintaining control of the vehicle at all times including no burning rubber, tire squealing or jack rabbit starts.

This year, the committee will be awarding a People's Choice award for the best entry in the parade. The community will have the opportunity to vote for the best on the Seeley Swan Pathfinder's Facebook page by "Liking" their favorite entry. Prizes will be awarded after a week of voting.

Fundraising has begun for the fireworks display. Change cans have been set out at local businesses. Donations can also be dropped off at the Pathfinder drop box outside their office in the Bison and Bear Mall, Highway 83, or mailed to the Chamber, PO Box 516, Seeley Lake, MT 59868. All donors will be recognized in the July 7 Pathfinder.

Additional activities include the annual Pancake Breakfast at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall, free barbecue lunch at Mission Bible Fellowship and the Rubber Duck Races after the parade at the bridge over the Clearwater River on Wagon Wheel Way.

Code Red, with lead singer local Breana Cahoon, is scheduled to play ahead of the fireworks on Lindey's lawn. While the concert is free, donations are welcome and encouraged. Donations to help the band cover their travel cost from Oregon can be dropped off at Lindey's.

"It's going to be another great year for the Fourth in Seeley Lake," said Chamber President Nathan Bourne. "We hope everyone will come out and participate."