Independence Day activities in Valentine will kick off at 10 am with the annual Lion’s Club 4th of July parade. The theme this year is “I “Heart” Patriotism”. The parade will start at 1st and Main and take the standard parade route up Main Street then east of 5th Street to Green Street. The parade can disperse at the school parking lot or derby cars in the parade can continue to the fairgrounds.
Participants are asked to line up at the trailhead by 9:30. Chamber Bucks will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries. Entry forms can be picked up and dropped off at KVSH Radio.
Immediately following the parade, the public is invited to the football field adjacent to the Badger Bell at Valentine High School. Members of the American Legion family will sponsor the national Let Freedom Ring ceremony by ringing bells in honor of The Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Audience participation is required, and colonial, or red, white and blue attire is very welcome.
Little Miss Poppy will lead the pledge. The first thirteen people to assemble will represent the original thirteen colonies and have the honor of ringing the Badger Bell to celebrate 243 years of independence.
We will read the Declaration of Independence aloud. We will ring the Valentine High School Badger Bell 13 times for the first 13 states. We will ring for all states represented in the audience. We will ring for each man and woman currently serving in the Armed Forces (that we know about) from the area; as we have done since 1999. We will invite everyone to help “ring out” for Independence for, or in memory of a Veteran from their family.
Folks are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for comfort. Leo Brinda Post 90 is counting on local youth like past and present Boys and Girls State Citizens, Boys Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts and the American Legion Baseball team to help out.
The Ag Society’s Demolition Derby begins at 6 pm at the Cherry County Fairgrounds, conducted by Wreckless Promotions. There’s several thousand dollars in prize money plus a new category for kids – a special battery operated demo derby (kids must be at least 4 years old and bring their own cars). The Lion’s Club will sponsor the fireworks display following the demolition derby at the Cherry County Fairgrounds.