Fourth of July spirit warming up
Rain or shine, Fourth of July celebrations in Brainerd will go on this weekend.
There is a slight chance of rain Friday through Monday, but Nancy Cross, Brainerd Community Action executive director, said in her 18 years with Community Action she's never had to cancel a Fourth of July event because of inclement weather.
"This is what I always say - we're not made of sugar, we won't melt, so bring an umbrella and just enjoy the festivities," Cross said.
People had already staked their claims along the parade route Wednesday afternoon next to Don Adamson Field in Brainerd.
The National Weather Service in Duluth's forecast for Friday calls for mostly sunny skies and high temperatures of 83-88 degrees; for Saturday partly cloudy skies, a 20-percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms and high temps of 82-87 degrees; for the Fourth of July partly sunny skies, a 30-percent chance of rain and high temps of 80-85 degrees; and for Monday partly cloudy skies, a 30-percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms and high temps of 80-85 degrees.
The only reason the fireworks show wouldn't go on after 10 p.m. Sunday would be strong winds, she said.
The Fourth of July festivities start Saturday with Arts in the Park. Cross said she's expecting 138 artists showcasing everything from pottery to textiles to watercolors to jewelry. It's a good turnout of artists, Cross said, as the maximum she allows for Arts in the Park is 140.
"That's kind of the breaking point," Cross said. "I want everybody to be able to be seen."
New this year will be displays from Tim Thunstedt, a Little Falls resident who is one of the largest distributors of artwork in the Upper Midwest. In Thunstedt's booth will be featured artist Jim Hanfel, who will be signing autographs.
Mike the Banjo M and dulcimer player Mike Imholte are returning, as is 11-year-old juggler Quinlin Kile. New this year will be Dave Herzog, who plays steel drum.
On Sunday, the Fourth of July parade will start at 4 p.m. and follow the familiar route on East River Road to Laurel Street to South Fifth Street to College Drive.
There are 95 total entries to the parade, including a slew of incumbent and hopeful politicians for the election year. New will be the Central Lakes College band on a flatbed truck and an authentic stage coach with real cowboys having shootouts, Cross said. Their guns will be using blank bullets, she added.
"They're going to have a lot of fun," Cross said.
Lt. Col. William McCollough of the U.S. Marine Corps, a Brainerd native who six months ago returned from Afghanistan, is the parade grand marshal.
"We're so appreciative he was willing to spend his vacation with us," Cross said.
Cross also reminded residents and visitors that East River Road will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. until the fireworks are finished Sunday.
Also, people can send donations for the festivities to Brainerd Community Action, 213 South Fifth St., Brainerd, MN, 56401. Cross said 100 percent of the donations go to the Fourth of July celebration. None of the donations are used for overhead or payroll, she said. In fact, hundreds of hours are donated by hundreds of people to put on the events.
"We do this because we want to provide family fun that's absolutely free for residents and guests of the Brainerd lakes area," Cross said. "Our whole goal for the Fourth of July is, No. 1, to celebrate the birth of our nation. No. 2 is to build memories. That's why we're Minnesota's Fourth of July capital."
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.