Arlee parade celebrates "Home of the Free"

The weather was overcast with occasional spits of rain; but it was the Fourth of July, and Arlee celebrated with a parade – number 76 to be exact. The 2025 theme was “Home of the Free Because of the Brave.”

Sonny and Virginia Dumontier, long time Arlee residents, were the grand marshals and led the parade. Then there were floats, lots of horses, and lots and lots of kids. Some dressed in red, white and blue or had painted faces or carried flags; they rode bikes, tiny tractors, ponies and horses, marched with their families, and threw candy from floats or collected candy from the side of the road.

After the Arlee Firemen’s Pancake Feed, the parade began at Arlee High School at noon and circled through Arlee, returning back to the high school.

One gentleman commented that the last time he attended the Arlee Fourth of July Parade, it was on Main Street. Another family group said they always attend though they live in Missoula.

The candy, according to pint-sized connoisseurs, was “great.”

People clapped, cheered, visited with neighboring attendees, and enjoyed themselves.

Parade award winners were:

Patriotic — Jim Pickens

Commercial — Valley Bank

Clubs— Arlee Little Guy Wrestling

New Business — Courtney Moran family

Patriotic Youth — Danielle Hower

Classic Van — Don Dean

Western Family — Dillards

Best Hot Rod — Tim Kline

Western Youth — Evelyn Clough

Patriotic Family — Cable Family

Novelty Adult — Science Women

Novelty Family — Chelsea Allaire family

Novelty Child — Picture Mountain Ponies

Novelty Youth — Ivanoffs

Car — Fred Matt

    Science women walked in the Arlee Fourth of July Parade wearing white coats and leopard print. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    A young bike rider in the Arlee Fourth of July Parade dresses as Uncle Sam complete with a "We Want You Sign." (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    By gosh, driving a tractor is serious business, parade or no parade. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)