Despite some cancellations, plenty of July 4 activities still offered

This year’s Fourth of July in the Flathead Valley and beyond offers a variety of family-friendly events where you can still stay socially distanced. However you decide to celebrate our country’s birthday, just play it safe out there.

• Kalispell’s Fourth of July Freedom Kruise invites you to join in a cruise up and down Main Street in honor of Independence Day on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. If you wish to decorate your car meet at 2:30 p.m. in the Kalispell Center Mall parking lot.

• The 41st annual Whitefish Arts Festival is a highlight of the Fourth of July weekend. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5,

Sponsored by Whitefish Christian Academy, the festival maintains a long tradition of high quality arts and crafts, from pottery to photography, woodworking and fine jewelry. All of the art is handmade and there is always a variety of Montana-style art.

Admission is free. Food trucks will be on site and entertainment will round out the festivities at Whitefish’s Depot Park.

• The Bigfork Summer Rodeo kicks into action over the Fourth of July weekend. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Bigfork Rodeo Committee co-sponsor the rodeo, which will take place Saturday, Sunday and Monday, July 4 to 6, at the Bigfork Rodeo Grounds, 2840 Montana 82.

Saturday gates open at 2:30 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m. Sunday gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. Monday gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Enjoy a kids area, free parking and live music, with food vendors on site.

The rodeo is a ticketed event with seating, so it will be easier to limit crowds and adhere to social distancing measures.

Adults (18 and older ) General admission: White tickets, $20; Red, $25; Blue, $35. Kids (7-17) General admission: White tickets, $10. Kids 6 and under, free. Purchase online at bigforkrodeo.com

• An alternative Fourth of July parade in the Bigfork area has been organized. The route will be on Montana 209 between the Ferndale Fire Hall and the intersection with Montana 83. The parade will kick off at noon. This is a permitted event and will include food trucks, local vendors and music at the Ferndale Market.

Although Bigfork’s annual Fourth of July parade was canceled due to COVID-19, the new parade’s organizers state this event can accommodate the appropriate social distancing requirements, and that while masks are recommended by the state, they are not required.

• Libby’s Fourth of July festivities start at 10 a.m. with a parade. A community festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at J. Neil’s Memorial Park, with a beer garden, live music all day and a car show from noon to 7 p.m., cornhole and tug-of-war tournaments and games for the kids. The fireworks show begins at dusk.

• Lake County Republican Women are sponsoring a boat parade on Flathead Lake on the Fourth of July. Decorate your boat, wear your Trump gear and support President Donald Trump.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. in front of the Flathead Lake Marina in Polson Bay. The route will be announced depending the weather. Check the LCRW Facebook page for details.

• The Lakeside Fourth of July fireworks show is a go. The classic summer tradition features fireworks launched from a barge off the shore of Lakeside. Over 18 minutes of pyrotechnics is planned.

Spectators are welcome to watch from their own boats out on Flathead Lake or from onshore at a number of locations, including Volunteer Park, but are asked to carpool and leave personal fireworks at home.

• The Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains will host the No Limits Monster Truck Firecracker Nationals Saturday, July 4.

There will be two complete events in one day — at 1 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Social distancing will be practiced for the safety of fans, drivers and staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ticket sales are limited to 2,000 maximum per event, which is less than the 75% capacity, in accordance with health department guidelines.

Tickets, for those 13 years of age and older, are $20. For those 12 and under, the cost is $15. Advance discount tickets are on sale at www.nolimitsmonstertrucks.com. Tickets will cost more at the door.

• The Kalispell, Bigfork and Polson Chambers of Commerce have canceled this year’s Fourth of July parades, citing public safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Polson’s fireworks show has also been canceled this year.

• The Conrad Mansion, which typically hosts an ice cream social following Kalispell’s parade, has decided not to have one this year. The mansion will be decorated outside with a patriotic theme, and the public is invited to visit the grounds.

• The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce has canceled the Fourth of July fireworks show. City and county officials had determined the event, which typically attracts 3,000 to 4,000 people to Whitefish City Beach, couldn’t be held safely, as COVID-19 social distancing guidelines would be impossible to enforce.

• Troy’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration is canceled for 2020.

• The annual Arlee Powwow that typically happens over the Fourth of July weekend has been canceled out of concern for the safety and well-being of the elders, community and visitors.

• Polebridge has canceled its annual wacky Fourth of July Parade. But the Polebridge Mercantile will be open, selling from a stand out in front. There will be very limited access to the mercantile.