Polson parade boasts nearly 50 entries

ST. NICK made a surprise appearance at Polson's Fourth of July parade, switching out his red suit for stripes, and his sleigh for a vintage firetruck. He promised to return in December, more appropriately outfitted. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

SPARKLE PLENTY brightened the Polson parade route in her bright red convertible. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

POISED FOR PARADE – This petite Polson parade-goer was well prepared with a flag in one hand a candy bag in the other. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Polson High School band played a spirited assortment of patriotic tunes during the Independence Day parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

These two parade participants, armed with squirt and bubble guns, were a hit during Polson's parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

FIREWORKS decorated the night sky above the Flathead River last Wednesday, in a colorful display sponsored by the Polson Chamber of Commerce. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

Windauer Family Dentistry's Tooth Fairy Castle dispersed candy and tooth brushes during last week's Polson parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

by KRISTI NIEMEYER
Editor | July 11, 2024 12:00 AM

There were 47 entries in Polson’s Fourth of July parade – just shy of last year’s 52 entrants.

“It did seem really huge this year,” said Lori Abramson, office manager for the Polson Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors both the parade and the fireworks display on July 3.

A crowd favorite was clearly the standoff between the Redcoats and the Polson Minutemen that preceded the actual parade. The ragtag group of Minutemen were first dispersed near the Elks Club on Main Street by a barrage of firecrackers, shot from British muskets. They regrouped near the VFW and prevailed during the second skirmish, disarming their foes.

The Honor Guard led the parade, while local fire departments and emergency responders brought up the end. In between were antique cars, horses and riders, bagpipers, the high school band, and various community and commercial floats.

Santa, bedecked in red and white stripes, cruised through town on a vintage Polson fire truck, while another fire truck kept the crowd cool with a water spray. Tooth fairies handed out both tooth brushes and candy from the Windauer Family Dentistry Tooth Fairy Castle – a possible attempt to gain a few new customers.