| Park Rapids Firecracker foot race Park Rapids will once again host a family-oriented July 4th celebration. As in past years, the first event of the day will be the annual running of the Firecracker foot race with a 10K run and a five-K walk or run course. Registration will be held from 7:30-8:15 a.m. at Heartland Park in Park Rapids with a 9 a.m. start time. Registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt. There will also be a free kids fun run 12 and under at 10 a.m. Pie baking contest Beagle Books will be hosting its second annual pie baking contest for the title of Champion Pie Baker. Author, chef, and Food Network celebrity John Michael Lerma invites all pie bakers to vie for the title and enter their best pies, which should be delivered to the Beagle Books between 9-11 a.m. Categories for the amateur baking contest include: (1) fresh fruit and/or cream, (2) baked single crust includes custard pies, (3) baked double crust, and (4) junior division, ages 8-12. A $5 fee is charged for each entry. Recipes for the crust and pie filling are required. At 2:30 p.m. the winning pies will be auctioned off in front of Beagle Books with the all proceeds going to the Park Rapids Library. For information, call 237-2665 Parade Pre-parade entertainment will be featured on Main Street during the afternoon, followed by a colorful parade at 3 p.m. Many downtown merchants will be open before and after the parade for those who want to do some shopping. Fireworks The Community Band will perform a pre-fireworks concert at 7:30 p.m., featuring patriotic tunes. Refreshments will also be sold in the park. At dusk, a spectacular fireworks display, which rivals those of many larger towns, will begin. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and come early to get a good parking spot and viewing location in the park. Call the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber at 732-4111 for more information on other area attractions and lodging. Walker Walker celebrates July 4th in grand fashion in the city park along the shores of beautiful Leech Lake. Lakeside activities Games, food and drink will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; live music from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and a gigantic fireworks show at dusk. Games in the park include running races, water games, tug-o-war, electric calf roping, sumo suit wrestling and horseshoe and volleyball tournaments. The Rotary and Lions Club will be frying up fish and grilling brats and hot dogs from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the park. Power Play will provide live entertainment in the park from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Parade A parade along the main street of Walker starts at 2 p.m. Organizations and individuals are invited to become a part of the celebration by entering a float or marching along in costume for the parade. A variety of prizes will be awarded. Fireworks A spectacular show of fireworks, which can be viewed by land or boat will begin at dusk. Whether watching on shore or from a boat, the vibrant colors of the fireworks can be seen reflected in the lake to add to the viewing experience. Nevis Lake Belle Taine boat parade The Lake Belle Taine Association will hold its Fourth of July boat parade beginning at 10 a.m. at the West Bay entrance into the lake. Donuts and lemonade will be served at the Nevis public beach following the parade at approximately noon. Decorated boats are welcome to join the parade. “It makes it just a little bit more fun if boats are decorated,” said Karen Lundstrom, one of the organizers of the event. “But they don’t have to be.” For more information, call Lundstrom at 732-9040. |