Posted: 6/19/02

Enter parade units now for July 4th parade

Area businesses and organizations that are planning to enter floats in the Forest Lake Fourth of July parade next month should act fast.

With 175 units registered so far, parade planners from American Legion Post 225 are forming the final parade lineup this week. Those who register after this week will be placed in the third and final unit of the parade, said Barb Olson, Post 225 commander and parade chair.

The 10 a.m. parade is one of the highlights of the 78th annual Independence Day celebration. The Post 225-sponsored event opens on Wednesday, July 3 and continues through Sunday, July 7. Events are centered at Post 225, 355 W. Broadway Ave. where the bingo tent will be placed, and at the Lakeside Park municipal parking lot where the carnival will operate.

A gigantic fireworks display on July 4 will cap the big day.

Olson says some old favorites and some new parade units have been booked.

One of the new units is the Jack Brass Band, playing its New Orleans style of march music.

Some of the old reliable participants include the Minnesota Brass, the Forest Lake City Marching Band, the Chisago Lakes High School Band, the Forest Lake Junior High School Band and the Baldwin-Woodville High School Band from Wisconsin.

A fly-over by vintage war planes will help kick off the parade.

Post 225 is still in need of convertibles to carry dignitaries in the 2002 parade.

Anyone wishing to provide a car and driver for the parade can call Olson at 651-464-5769 or the Legion Post at 651-464-2600.

Anyone planning a parade unit can also receive more information by calling the telephone numbers above.

The parade will start at Broadway and 6th Street. Prime viewing locations can be found on Broadway and Lake Street (US-61) throughout the downtown.

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