Largest Fireworks Show in Montana
Combines with Centennial Celebration in Laurel

Courtesy of The Laurel Outlook

            Laurel's Fourth of July Parade is as big as its 100th birthday this year! And Laurel's Fireworks Show holds its place as the largest in the state. It is sponsored by the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department.

            The parade route for the Laurel Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial Grand Parade has changed since last year to accommodate the number of entrants and spectators.

            Chamber executive secretary Joanne Flynn announced the names of the four people selected as parade grand marshals for this year. The chamber sought grand marshal applicants from Laurel’s oldest residents to participate in Laurel’s Centennial year celebration.

            They are Josephine “Jo” Biffle, age 99; Mina Decker, age 95; Lou Armstrong, age 93; and Bill Frickle, age 87. They will lead the parade in a horse-drawn carriage.

            Entry forms for the July 4 Chief Joseph Run, Grand Parade and Craft and Food Fair are available in the Chamber Log Cabin entry way, at First Avenue and Main Street, or on the Chamber website, laurelmontana.org. You may also e-mail laurelchamber@rbbmt.org to request the forms.

            Other Fourth of July events include:

            • A street dance is sponsored by the Jaycee’s on July 3 from 8 pm. 
to 1 am., between Main Street and First Street on Second Avenue, with live music by the 7th Avenue Band.

            • The Jaycees Pancake Breakfast from 6 am.-11 am., at the corner of Main Street and First Avenue in Firemen’s Park on July 4

            • The Chief Joseph Run is sponsored by the Laurel Chamber of Commerce at Thomson Park on Sixth Avenue on July 4. Sign-up is at 6 am. There are three runs: 2 mile, 4 mile and 8 mile, and two walks, a
2 mile and a 4 mile. Runs and walks begin at 7 am.

            • The Food and Craft Fair sponsored by Laurel Chamber of Commerce will be from 8 am. to 9 pm., inside and outside the Old Middle School Gym on both July 4 and 5.

            • The Fourth of July Kiddie Parade sponsored by the Jaycees begins at 10 am. No registration is required. Children participating in the parade should meet at Western Security Bank, at 20 Montana Avenue.

            • The Grand Parade sponsored by Laurel Chamber of Commerce begins at
11 am., July 4, in celebration of the city’s centennial, “The First 100 Years.” There are some changes in this year’s parade route.

            • Entertainment, vendors and activities will take place at Thomson Park for the entire afternoon. The “Windy Creek Band”
will entertain from 2 to 6 pm.

            • Calvary Baptist Church, located at 820 West Ninth Street, will hold a free block party beginning at 2 pm., July 4. There will be fun games, inflatables, a water slide, basketball, a bouncer and jousting.

            • Raffle tickets for the LVFD’s drawings are available from volunteer firemen. Grand prizes include a 47-inch high-definition LG television and Onkyo sound system with DVD valued at $3,000 and a wood pellet grill valued at $1,000. Tickets can also be purchased Friday afternoon, July 4, from firemen at the Thomson Park Picnic shelter. Raffle tickets are 10 for $5 or 50 for $20.

            • Laurel Hometown Troops will conduct a candlelight vigil in honor of our servicemen and women before the fireworks display.

            • The largest and the best fireworks in the State, sponsored by the Laurel Volunteer Firemen begins at dark.

            July 5 activities will include the continuation of the food and crafts fair Saturday from 8 am to 9 pm. at the Old Middle School gym with vendors inside and outside. The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus, sponsored by the Laurel Lions Club will have two live performances at 2 pm. and 4:30 pm., at the Laurel High School Practice Field, across from Thomson Park. The Laurel High School all- class reunion begins at 6 pm., Saturday night in Thomson Park.

            Special centennial events are also scheduled for Aug. 8 and 9. White T-shirts, colored T-shirts, sweatshirts, denim shirts (long and short sleeve), polo shirts (men’s and ladies), caps, tote bags that contain the logo for the Laurel Centennial Celebration and a special issue Laurel Centennial postcard. The centennial items are available to purchase at Jan’s IGA, Ben Franklin, Ricci’s Express, Dynamic Designs, Chamber of Commerce, Town and Country Supply, Locomotive Inn, Gene’s Pharmacy, Price Pharmacy, Pelican Truck Plaza and other locations in Laurel.

            “Laurel bottled water” is available too.

            Watch for Laurel’s own “Laurel Lager” beer that will be available soon.