Spectators flock to three Independence Day parades
Parade watchers lined both sides of Hwy. 212 last Tuesday as Charlo's annual parade wound through town and back again. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
A winning float in the Arlee parade represented Mika Westwolf, a 22-year old woman who was killed in a hit-and-run in March of 2023. (Max Dupras/Leader)
The Mission Valley Aquatic Center float was decorated in cool blues and greens, colors of water. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
City of Polson Police cars led the Fourth of July parade down Main Street, delighting kids who were waiting for candy, floats, and waving to friends. {Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Morgan Delaney and her dog Phil celebrated the Fourth of July with traditional colors -- Phil's mohawk was red and his tail was blue, and Morgan's outfit was a combination of red, white, and blue. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
A little girl watches as horses are directed through the streets of Arlee during it's annual Independence Day celebration. (Max Dupras/Leader)
Someone dressed in a sasquatch costume in the back of a truck waves to families during Arlee's Independence Day parade. (Max Dupras/Leader)
Kids along the Charlo parade route were poised to accumulate candy last Tuesday, including Kaslyn Lyday, far right, who was born on July 4. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
The Honor Guard prepares to lead the Charlo Fourth of July parade down Hwy. 212, which was closed for the event. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Independence Day in the Mission Valley was filled with parades from Polson to Charlo to Arlee, all of which included some fun floats and great vibes during another hot Fourth of July.
Hundreds of spectators showed up, with kids (and a few adults) restocking their candy supply. While not every parade had competitions this year, there were many entertaining entrants with Polson featuring roughly 51 different participants.
“It's all of the people coming out for Independence Day and joining together as one community in celebration,” local radio host Brian Miskimins said of Polson’s parade.
The Charlo parade began at the north end of town and rolled along Hwy. 212, which was blocked at either end by county deputies for the duration of the march through town and back. As usual, an enthusiastic crowd lined the main drag.
This year’s lineup was mostly comprised of classic cars and trucks with a few floats and horseback riders in the mix. American Legion Post 126 sold raffle tickets, the football team flipped burgers and the volleyball team served Grandma Nancy's Delicious Frybread – a Fourth staple in Charlo.
Arlee’s celebration has been going for 77 years and drew a packed crowd to Sanders Street for a chance to view red, white and blue floats, vintage cars and even a sasquatch appearance.
“We had a good turnout both in entrants and spectators,” Arlee parade organizer Terry Cable said. “Perfect weather. Some great floats. The parade represents family fun tradition and patriotism. It is about generations of families celebrating the American way of life.”
Arlee parade results:
Business – Big Sky Sasquatch; Patriotic – Patriotic lawn mower with trailer; Patriotic Youth – Cable/Mills family; Clubs – Arlee Wrestling Club; Vehicles – Cole Younger 1952 GMC Pickup; Native American – Miss Salish (Keith O’Neil’s daughter); Native American Group MMIW – Dustin Shelby; Western Outfit Group – Shultz HeavyRunner; Western Adult – Beauties & The Beast; Western Youth – American Cowboy Hestan Heath; Novelty Group – Lytle Family; Novelty Teen – Johnathon Baumbach; Novelty Youth – David Baumbach; Novelty Child – Paisley Carney Pegasus with Superman; and Ranch Trophy – Flying M Ranch.
