Fun on the 4th

A full day of activities in Ely

The Fourth of July festivities will get underway bright and early with a 7 a.m. flag raising ceremony at the Ely Veterans Memorial, which is next to the Trezona trailhead at the corner of Miners Drive and Central Ave.
That will be the starting point, as well, for the Ely Track Club’s “4 on the 4th” four-mile run around Miners Lake, which starts at 8 a.m., with separate starts for runners, walkers, and kids. Runners start at 8 a.m., walkers at 8:10 a.m., and kids at 8:15 a.m. Race-day registration is from 6:40-7:40 a.m. The entry fee is $25 through June 27 and $35 afterward. Net profits support the Ely Track Club.
Ely’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 1 p.m., with the parade route starting at Fourth Ave. and Harvey, heading west to Second Ave. E., where it turns right to Sheridan St., and then proceeds east on Sheridan to Whiteside Park.
The Ely City Band will play a short concert immediately after the parade in the band shelter at Whiteside Park.
Ely Young Life will hold events for kids and families in Whiteside Park from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The fireworks will start at 10 p.m. over the east end of Miners Lake.
The city of Ely and the Ely Events Committee need donations to support the cost of the Fourth of July activities, which are enjoyed by hundreds of families and visitors every year. Donations can be mailed to the Ely Events Committee, P.O. Box 231, Ely, MN., 55731
The city also needs volunteers to assist with the Fourth of July activities. If anyone is interested, please call the city clerk’s office for more information at 218-365-3224, extension 1, or email deputyclerk@ely.mn.us.

Plenty of fun on tap in Tower-Soudan

For the Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Events Board, the group behind the Tower-Soudan Fourth of July celebration, finding a way to make the celebration even better is one of their goals each year.
And this year, they have added a few new events to the holiday festivities, including a classic car show, at the Lamppa Civic Center, immediately following the parade. Classic car enthusiasts will be driving the parade route, and then circling back to the parking lot at the civic center, where cars will be on display. Anyone who wishes to participate should be at the civic center at 10 a.m. to get in the parade line-up, no pre-registration is necessary.
In addition, a team of Ghostbusters, based on the Iron Range, will be marching in the parade, making sure the route is ghost and monster free. This group raises funds for the Ronald McDonald House of the Upper Midwest and has participated in many other parades and events in the Northland in recent years. These fans of the 1984 supernatural comedy franchise do their best to blur the lines of reality and Hollywood movie magic by use of uniforms, props, vehicles, and plenty of charisma, and are sure to charm both young and old during Thursday’s parade.
Events
Pancake breakfast at the Lamppa Civic Center from 8-10:30 a.m. on July 4. This event is sponsored by the Tower-Soudan Civic Club.
The Vermilion 5K/10K/Fun Run starts at 8 a.m. Race-day registration from 6:45-7:45 a.m. by the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center. The starting/finish line is on North Second Street by the old football field. The race is sponsored by the events board and Friends of Vermilion Country School.
Flag raising at Tower City Hall at 10:15 a.m.
The Kiddie Parade is at 10:45 a.m. All area children are invited to participate. All children who march in the parade will receive $5, a flag, and a gift bag. Registration and gift bags will be available at 10:30 a.m.
The Parade starts at 11 a.m. Anyone bringing a float who has not already registered needs to contact the events board at 218-255-2131 or email tseventsboard@gmail.com. There are cash prizes for the best floats.
Family fun after the parade at the Tower football field. The sawdust scramble begins at 12:30 p.m., with games for children of all ages starting immediately afterwards.
There are specials at area restaurants all day, food trucks and vendors out on Main Street as well. The Tower Fire Department’s beer tent will be set up on Main St., next to the Timberjay building. Money raised helps fund community events.
Fireworks will be on the east end (Big Bay) of Lake Vermilion at dusk on July 3, and west end (Niles Bay) on July 6.
The weekend of fun concludes with a free Community Picnic in Soudan, at the skating rink/recreation area, on Saturday, July 6, from 12-3 p.m. There will be free food including hot dogs and chips, root beer floats and ice cream cones, along with games and water play for children, and a dunk tank featuring Police Chief Dan Reing, Ambulance Supervisor Dena Suihkonen, and other local officials.
You can find the full schedule of events on page 12 of this week’s paper.
Grand Marshals
This year’s committee is honoring Chuck and Nancy Tekautz for their service to the Tower-Soudan community, and they will be leading the parade as this year’s Grand Marshals.
Volunteers needed
The committee is still seeking help running the children’s games in the afternoon at the Tower School football field. Adults and teens are needed on July 4. Anyone able to help out can contact Jolene at 218-255-2131 or email tseventsboard@gmail.com.

Orr ready to rock July 3rd

The celebration of America’s independence traditionally kicks off early on the shores of Pelican Lake with Orr’s July 3rd Fun Day, and a dedicated crew of volunteers is carrying on that tradition with a full slate of activities to entertain young and old alike.
Pancakes and sausages will be flying off the Orr Community Center griddle beginning at 7 a.m., courtesy of the North Woods Travelers, who are raising funds for an upcoming trip. Adults can get all the pancakes they can eat for $10, and kids 5-12 are $5, with those under five eating for free. Breakfast will be served until 10 a.m.
For those who need to work off some of those extra syrup calories from breakfast, and anyone else who doesn’t, the annual 5K run, sponsored by the Orr Lions Club, will start at 9 a.m. Those who preregistered by June 23 are assured of receiving this year’s race t-shirt, and organizers say extras will be in short supply. Shirts from prior years may be available for late and on-site registrants. Advance registration fees this year are $25 for adults and $20 for kids 13 and under. Race-day registration is $5 more for both age groups. All racers should check in prior to the race beginning at 8 a.m. Registration forms can be picked up at and returned to REMAX Lake Country in Orr. For questions, call 218-410-3532.
Festivities get underway in earnest at 11 a.m. when vendors will begin peddling their varied wares at the craft fair at the Community Center. That’s also the time that Luke’s Antique Tractor, Truck and Car Show, welcoming anything cool with wheels, gets started near the boat ramp. If you think what you have is unique or cool, they want to see it at the show, which ends at 3 p.m., the same time that vendors will close up shop.
Also with an 11 a.m. start, the North Woods Travelers will be back in action serving fry bread with your choice of honey butter or cinnamon sugar for $5 and fry bread tacos for $10.
Additional craft and food vendors were being lined up by organizers to set up outside of the Community Center.
The most colorful and festive event of the day is the Kiddie Parade at noon. The parade always draws a large crowd of participants and spectators — be sure to get there early for the best seats on the street.
A popular new attraction last year, an outdoor booth offering bicycle maintenance and minor repair, staffed by Tom Kennebeck and friends will be back again. Stop on by with your bikes and trikes for a tune-up.
After the parade, be sure the kiddos hang around for the sawdust dig for silver dollars at 3 p.m. and saddle up for pony rides or play in the Orr Fire Bounce House.
Adults can catch a breath in the late afternoon before heading over to the Orr Muni at 5:30 p.m. to put their bean bag toss skills to the test. Following the bean bag contest will be a street dance featuring Deep Tracks.
Folks will want to stake out a prime viewing spot along the shoreline for the day’s spectacular finale, one of the biggest and best fireworks displays in the North Country reflected in the shimmering lake waters, courtesy once again of the Orr-Pelican Lake Resort Association. The fireworks begin at dusk.