Communities across Journal Country are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with a variety of events, offering something for everyone from parades and porch crawls to fireworks and festive family fun.
Patriotic fun begins this Saturday, June 27, in Claremont as the community hosts its annual Fireworks Celebration while also recognizing America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Activities will kick off with a Porch Crawl at 1 p.m., followed by a parade at 6 p.m. Fireworks will light up the sky at dusk to conclude the evening’s festivities. Residents and visitors are invited to come out and help Claremont celebrate with an afternoon and evening of small-town Fourth of July fun.
Lake City is inviting everyone to join the celebration with four days of activities July 1-4. The festivities begin July 1 with an LCM Meat Raffle and live music Thursday and Friday nights.
The biggest day of the celebration will be Saturday, July 4. The Screamin’ Freedom 5K will be held bright and early, welcoming participants of all ages and fitness levels to run, walk, push strollers, or bring along the kids and dogs. Registration and pre-race activities begin at 7:30 a.m., at the Lake City Park with the race starting at 8 a.m. Search ‘Screamin Freedom 5K’ on Facebook to register.
Then the much loved annual Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m., rain or shine. New attractions this year include bouncy houses and free vision screenings for children through the Lions Club KidSight program. Returning favorites include food trucks and live music by the Darren Beyer Band beginning at 11 a.m. on the outdoor stage.
Also on July 4, Fort Sisseton Historic State Park invites the public out for old-fashioned from 1 to 4 p.m. Activities include come and go games, crafts, homemade ice cream, and the chance to explore the historic fort. A South Dakota park entrance license is required for vehicles entering the park.
The celebration continues into the weekend. On Sunday, July 5, Clear Lake hosts its popular Boat Parade at 1 p.m., with lineup and registration around 12:30 p.m. at Ivory Tower Bay. This year’s parade includes three divisions—jet skis, boats, and pontoons—with first and second place prizes awarded in each. Participants are encouraged to get creative. Entries celebrating America’s 250th are encouraged.
