There are several events planned in Great Falls and Black Eagle to celebrate Independence Day, which falls on Monday this year.
GREAT FALLS
The Great Falls Municipal Band will present a free "Patriotic Summer Celebration" concert on Wednesday, June 29, in the Mansfield Convention Center. Doors open at 5:30 pm (concessions will be available), and pre-concert entertainment from Miss Linda's Studio Centre will begin at 6 pm. The concert will start at 7 pm and will feature familiar patriotic selections. For more information, contact Phil Burton at 406-899-9982.
The annual Independence Day parade in downtown Great Falls will be on Monday, July 4. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and the route runs from 1st Avenue South to 8th Street, north to Central Avenue, and then heads west to Park Drive and disbands in Margaret Park (north of the Civic Center). Do not park vehicles along the parade route. There are several parking facilities available within walking distance of the parade. For more information about the parade, contact Lola Galloway at 406-750-4721 or Terry Bailey at 406-799-1091.
Live music will begin immediately after the parade with the "4th of July Hootenanny with Colt Ford" on Central Avenue between 4th Street and 6th Street. Admission to the 4th of July Hootenanny is free for all ages.
- Food and beverage vendors will be on-site.
- Alcohol will be available for sale at various booths.
- Feel free to bring a folding chair.
- Remember sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.
The community fireworks display will begin on Monday at about 10:15 p.m. The best viewing of the community fireworks display will be at Elk's-Riverside Park (River Drive North between Central Avenue and 6th Street) from West Bank Park. West Bank Park will be closed all day for the pyrotechnics to set up the display. Parking is available at Gibson Park.
BLACK EAGLE
Black Eagle will also host an Independence Day parade. Staging will begin at 4pm at the Black Eagle Country Club. The parade will start 5 p.m. and head east toward the Black Eagle Community Center on Smelter Avenue. Applications to participate in the parade groups cars or floats can be picked up at the bar at the Black Eagle Community Center.
The Black Eagle Community Center had planned to host a live band and fireworks, but on Tuesday, June 28, sent this update to their schedule: "We will not be doing our annual fireworks show this year or music as costs were not feasible with the plumbing issues we have had."
