Orr packs a lot into July 3rd
ORR- Orr’s biggest community event of the year is back, and the town is pulling out all the stops for the annual Third of July Fun Day. From early-morning pancakes to a nighttime sky lit up with fireworks over the bay, this year’s schedule offers something for every age and every energy level.
Start the day at the Orr Community Center with a hearty pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. It’s the perfect way to fuel up before the 5K Walk/Run, which starts at 9 a.m. Racers should check in at the tennis courts between 8-8:45 a.m.
Festivities crank into high gear by mid-morning, with events spread across town. Families will find crafts and face painting at the Orr Center from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and just behind Pattenn’s, Uncle Eric will perform live from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Shoppers and browsers can swing by the Craft Fair at the Orr Community Center, running from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Meanwhile, Luke’s Third Annual Antique Tractor, Truck and Car Show will be rolling from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with anything cool on wheels welcome.
At 12 p.m., the spotlight shifts to the kids for the Children’s Parade (ages 0-12). Parade winners will be announced immediately afterward.
The ever-popular Sawdust Dig kicks off at 2 p.m. with $300 in silver dollars buried for kids 10 and under to unearth.
Then make your way to the Orr Center from 1-7 p.m. for a full afternoon of live music and hands-on fun, presented by Open Range Concerts in partnership with the Center. The musical lineup features Peggy Barthell Kelly, Donn Fuller, Mandi Baron, Todd Ojala, David Franklin, and Robert Joseph Walker. While the music plays, families can take part in jewelry making, grab a bite from food vendors, enjoy face painting, and shop the Orr Center’s Thrift and Mercantile stores, which will be open for extended hours.
Duck Race sign-up begins at 2:45 p.m. at the Dam Supperclub ($1 entry, ages 12 and under), with the race itself launching at 3:30 p.m. Then at 4 p.m., cool off at Calvary Lutheran Church with the animated film “Two by Two: God’s Little Creatures.”
The Bean Bag Tournament at the Orr Muni begins at 5 p.m. (registration at 4:30 p.m., $20 per team), and the evening wraps up with a street dance from 7:30-11:30 p.m. featuring Deep Tracks.
The grand finale fireworks display over Orr Bay, sponsored by the Orr Pelican Lake Resort Association, will begin at dusk and promises to be a spectacular end to the day.

A weekend of fun in Tower-Soudan

TOWER-SOUDAN — Why mess with something that is almost perfect? For the Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Events Board, the group behind the Tower-Soudan Fourth of July Celebration, the goal is to always make things just a little bit better. You can find the full schedule of events in this week’s paper. A map with vendor locations for food trucks has been posted on business windows on Main Street to make it easier to find your favorite foods on the fourth.
Floats can still be registered, and parade organizers said pre-registrations this year are high, so they are expecting a spectacular parade. To register your float or parade entry, contact Jolene at 218-255-2131 or email tseventsboard@gmail.com. Prize for the best parade float is $450, with other prizes ranging from $100 to $350. Special categories include best family float, most patriotic, and best business float.
The Air National Guard is planning a flyover of two F-16 figher jets, expecting to pass over Tower at 10:30 a.m., weather-permitting.
Grand Marshal
This year’s committee is honoring Lloyd McIntire for his service to the Tower-Soudan community, and he will be leading off the parade as this year’s Grand Marshal. McIntire is a longtime business owner in Tower. After he retired, he became an active volunteer in many organizations including the Tower Food Shelf and Habitat for Humanity. You can find Floyd on Fridays at the Tower Farmers Market, selling his intricately designed wooden cutting boards.
Volunteer
More than ever, the events board needs volunteers – both this year and in the future. Opportunities to volunteer on July 3 include set up, at the parade lineup area, at the kiddie parade, at the kiddie races, as well as for planning for future events. The events board will be meeting on July 3 at 4:30 p.m. at the Breitung Town Hall (Timothy S Tomsich Community Center).  Anyone willing to help in any way should contact Jolene or stop by the meeting. This is a great group to become involved with and newcomers are needed. Jolene can be reached at tseventsboard@gmail.com
Kiddie races
Children and adults have plenty of opportunity for fun at the afternoon races at the Tower football field by the elementary school. The fun begins at 12:30 p.m. There is no registration needed and the event is free. Participants should stay well behind ropes until each of the individual events start, especially the sawdust scramble. Parents need to stand back, please. Listening to the emcee will help the event go smoothly.
The committee is still seeking help running the children’s games in the afternoon at the Tower School football field. This is a fast-paced and pretty fun event to help out at. Adults and teens are needed on July 4. Anyone willing to help out at this fun family event can contact Jolene at 218-255-2131 or email tseventsboard@gmail.com.
Events
 Pancake breakfast at the Lamppa Civic Center from 8-10:30 a.m. on July 4.
 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. Starting/finish line is on North Second Street by the old football field. More info is on page 6.
 Flag raising at Tower City Hall at 10:15 a.m.
 Kiddie Parade is at 10:45 a.m. Parade starts at 11 a.m.
 Sawdust scramble and games at the Tower football field starting at 12:30 p.m.
Specials at area restaurants, food trucks, and vendors on Main Street all day. Vendors signed up so far include: Buns To Go, Erickson Family, Flake’s Shaved Ice, Sulu’s, Sugarlicious, Immanuel Church Stand, Minni’s Seasoned Crackers, Oriental Orchid, Breitung Fire Department Beverage Tent, Tower Cafe, Fish Tacos, Vermilion Weiner Cruiser, and Good Ol’ Days
 Fortune Bay Resort Casino is hosting fireworks this year. Expect the show to start at 10 p.m. There will also be live music and food trucks.
 Free Community Picnic in Soudan on Sunday, July 6, from 12-3 p.m. Food, root beer floats, children’s games (with lots of water play), and more. The dunk tank will be back again this year. Pay for a chance to dunk Police Chief Dan Reing and other area officials, with all money raised going toward next year’s Fourth of July expenses.

A full day of activities in Ely
ELY — There will be no shortage of fun on the Fourth here at the end of the road, with a full day of activites planned for the day, all capped with the traditional fireworks display over Miner’s Lake.
The day kicks off early with the Four on the Fourth, the Ely Track Club’s four-mile walk/run around Miner’s Lake along the Trezona Trail.
Racers should meet at the Ely Veterans Memorial ahead of the race start at 8 a.m.
Walkers leave at 8:03 a.m., and a fun run for kids begins at 8:15 a.m. Preregister at runsignup.com. Early registration forms are also available at Ely Public Library.
Flag ceremony
A flag-raising ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Hosted by the American Legion, VFW Commanders, and Ely Honor Guard, the event will be at the Ely Veterans Memorial at the intersection of Miner’s Drive and Pioneer Rd.
Carnival
Ely Young Life is hosting a carnival at Whiteside Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be served at the park pavilion.
The carnival includes games, family races, tree climbing and more.
At 11:30 a.m., children are invited to play Needle in a Haystack. Kids can search through a sawdust pile for quarters and other prizes. Children will be divided into age groups for fair play.
Mattress races begin at noon. Grab your bed, family, friends and join the fun! This event will be on the south end of the park. EYL will have some mattresses on hand in case you forget yours.
From 2-4 p.m., activities will continue in Whiteside Park. Family-fun races begin at 2:30 p.m., and bands will play at Semer’s Park until 9 p.m.
Fireworks
Ely’s traditional fireworks will be shot over Miner’s Lake beginning at 10 p.m.
Donations to the Fourth of July Fund can be sent to Ely Events, PO Box 231, Ely MN 55731. Make a note that the funds are for Fourth of July activities.
Parade details
To accommodate construction on Harvey St., this year’s parade will follow a different route.
The parade starts at 4th Ave. and Harvey St. It will travel north on Fourth Ave., then head west on Chapman St. At Second Ave. E., the route will turn north, then travel east on Sheridan St. before heading south on Eighth Ave. The route ends at Whiteside Park.
The parade begins at 1 p.m., and lineup starts at 10 a.m. along Fourth Ave. To sign up for the parade, call the clerk’s office at 218-365-3224, Ext. 1. Same day registrations are accepted, but preregistration is preferred.
Children who would like to be in the parade can decorate their bikes, trikes and wagons. The kids parade is at the very beginning of the parade so they can enjoy the rest of the show.
Rock the Park
The Rock the Park music event will be on July 5 from 4-11 p.m. in Whiteside Park. Beverages will be provided by the Ely Fire Relief Association, and food trucks will be in the park. Ely Young Life will have inflatables for the kids, and Zup’s will have a scavenger hunt, sawdust pile, and watermelon feed. There will be three bands: Ranger Things, Sidestreet Detour, and The Reckoning.
Purchase buttons for $5 at Ace Hardware, Zaverl’s Bar, Ely City Hall Clerks Office, Ely Liquor, KJ’s Hardware, Ely License Bureau, Zup’s, and from various committee members.