Record crowds attend Fourth of July parade and Fireworks show

By ELAINE SANDMAN

Staff writer

Fourth of July dawned bright and sunny as the hitch of eight Budweiser Clydesdales and the Budweiser wagon began the trip from BTC to the Boundary County Fairgrounds. Escorted by local law enforcement and fire department personnel, the magnificent Clydesdales were

guided down the South Hill by their skilled drivers and faithful Dalmatian coach dog.

With the Clydesdales en-route to the Boundary County Fairgrounds, the number of parade entries grew and people began lining the streets of downtown Bonners Ferry in anticipation. The early birds were treated to live music performed by talented local musicians in the Georgia Mae Plaza.

As both young and old, newcomers and lifelong residents gathered together for the parade, all recognized many of the reasons they were drawn here or have lived here their whole lives.

"I've been in Bonners Ferry since 1929 and this is a really big crowd for the Fourth of July parade," said Lila Sweet of Bonners Ferry.

Some of the visitors from neighboring states were here seeing relatives while others were simply drawn here by the promise of seeing the Clydesdales. Linda Wolfe and Chuck Smith visiting from Colorado said they had come to see their first Bonners Ferry parade.

"We've lived in Bonners Ferry for 34 years and today for the Fourth of July, the street looks so beautiful with the hanging flower baskets, this huge and happy crowd, and with the magnificent Clydesdales here, it is even more special," said Caroline and Al Farnsworth. "This is our thirtieth Fourth of July parade."

Esther Parker from Port Angeles, Wash., said her daughter Donna Marie has come to the Bonners Ferry Fourth of July parade for 17 years. "This time she kidnapped me so I could see it for the first time."

Darrell Grossman from Garfield, Wash., said his brother Blaine Grossman was dressed as Uncle Sam in the parade.

"Blaine and his wife Nancy convinced my wife Wanda and I to come and see our first Bonners Ferry Fourth of July parade," Darrell said.

As the noon whistle blew, the crowds anticipation reached a new high. A hush fell over the chatting, laughing crowd followed by a cheer as everyone rose to their feet when the National Guard paraded the colors down the street.

The National Guard halted in front of Georgia Mae Plaza to lead the crowd in the pledge of allegiance. Next, the street filled with members of the Boundary Search and Dive, US Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security, Friends of the Restorium, Moyie Shrine Club Chuck Wagon, horses and vintage cars purred down the street.

Suddenly, all eyes were upon the Budweiser Clydesdales as they proudly walked past the crowd, with those nearest saying they felt the ground tremble.

These magnificent horses measured over 18 hands tall and weighed upwards of 2,000 pounds.

As the parade continued with numerous people, floats, horses and children, suddenly Uncle Sam who stood at least 10 feet tall on stilts came down the street with Lady Liberty by his side.

As evening drew near, everyone headed for the Boundary County Fairgrounds in anticipation of this year's Fourth of July fireworks display.

For the seventeenth year, and what many say was the best display to date, Skip O'Fallon and his group created and set off a spectacular fireworks show.

As the music swelled, the show began with everyone's necks stretched skyward to see all the colors of the rainbow in spectacular shapes, sizes and sound effects.