Plenty of Fourth fun on tap in Clark Fork
Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler rides a four-wheeler at a past Fourth of July parade in Clark Fork.
(Courtesy photo)
(Courtesy photo) Runners and walkers of all ages enjoyed last year’s Freedom 5K Fun Run along the scenic Lightning Creek area of Clark Fork, hosted by the Filling Station Youth Center. This year’s Fourth of July festivities in Clark Fork will again kick off with the fun run at 7 a.m., followed by a full day of activities.
Once again the Clark Fork Rod and Gun Club is sponsoring the community’s “Old Fashioned 4th of July” celebration. This theme of this year’s all-day event is “Proud To be An American” with Patti Speelmon being this year’s grand marshal.
The first activity on the schedule is the Filling Station Youth Center’s fundraising 5K Freedom Fun Run which starts at 7 a.m. at the youth center at First Avenue and Main Street. It’s a family event for both serious runners and casual walkers. There’s a course change this year making it flatter and faster, but still beautifully scenic.
Entry fees are $25 for adults, $15 for minors and if an adult participates with minor their fee is reduced to $15 as to encourage families to do this together. Entry forms can be found at most businesses in Clark Fork or online at: fillingstationyouth.com.
At 8:30 a.m., the VFW will raise the flag at Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School. At 8:40 a.m. anyone and everyone who wants to be in the parade — which has no application or fee to enter — is invited to line up by division as directed by the club’s red shirt people on the side streets to be judged at 9 a.m. All the trophies will be handed out before the parade starts.
At 9:30 a.m., the parade starts on Highway 200 at Stephen Street and travels west to Main turning north and then into the Clark Fork High School parking lot. Then in the school’s yard from 10:15 a.m. until noon there are family foot races, a Booster Club food stand, lots of vendors, big and small raffles and social fun.
Then at 1 p.m., everything shifts up to the city’s ballfield park located on Ninth Avenue, between Cedar and Pine. Starting with free coupons and dollar bills being dropped from and airplane, followed by turtle races, watermelon eating contest and lots of games for the kids.
The serious adult games start at 3 p.m. with pole climbing, ax throwing and log sawing contests which include big saws, small saws, cross-cut, Jack and Jill, Jack and Jack and Jill and Jill competitions.
The celebration will be capped with the community’s traditional fireworks display at dusk.
“One and all are invited to Clark Fork to join in as we celebrate the day of our nation’s birth,” said Laura Emmer of the Filling Station Youth Center.
