Posted: 6/25/03

Fourth of July parade route in FL will change

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Nothing ever stays the same and so it will be with the 79th annual Independence Day Parade in Forest Lake this year.

When American Legion Post 225 hosts its annual salute to the nationís independence from July 3-6, a new parade route and carnival location are major changes. And both are a break in long-running tradition for the summer celebration.

Magel Carnival Midwayís Inc. will play in Forest Lake for the first time on July 4 and will have its rides, attractions and games adjacent to the Legion Post and on NW 3rd St. Because of construction in the downtown business district, the long-standing Lakeside Park municipal parking lot site is not available to the carnival.

The relocation to the Legion grounds and the street on its east side forced a change in the parade location for 10 a.m., Friday, July 4.

The parade route will not turn north on NW 3rd St. because of the carnivalís placement. The route will continue east on W. Broadway Ave. to Centennial Drive where it will turn north and continue on to NW 2nd Ave. At 2nd Ave., the route turns east again for its one-block march to US-61 and its turn south down Lake Street (US-61).

(See map for another look at the 2003 parade route.)

More details

ìThere are trade offs with these changes but we hope the celebration is a better one because of them,î said Bob Flaherty, Legion Post 225 spokesperson.

With Magelís bringing its carnival rides and attractions to Forest Lake for the first time, Flaherty said the public will be treated to a first-class, family owned carnival that is sure to please.

The change in the parade route will mean changes for the public accustomed to watching the parade along NW 3rd St. and the western block of NW 2nd Avenue between 3rd St. and Centennial Drive.

New viewing spots will be available on the Hardwood Creek Trail parallel to Centennial Drive and on W. Broadway Ave. from 3rd St. to Centennial Drive.

Don Skow, a two-time Post 225 commander and 30-year Legion worker in Forest Lake, is the 79th annual parade grand marshal.

Honorary grand marshal is Tony Zangla, Lino Lakes, a 20-year parade volunteer worker.

A parade with more than 200 units and numerous bands is expected.

ìFreedom is not Freeî is the theme of this yearís parade. A new judging category will award prizes to the best hometown parade unit with a red, white and blue theme.

As a special honor and recognition, all active military personnel serving their country are invited to march in uniform at the front of the parade. They are asked to meet at Post 225 by 9:30 a.m. on July 4th.

While the parade route will see a slight change, the parade still goes off at 10 a.m. on July 4th rain or shine. The parade forms on the north and south sides of W. Broadway before starting on 6th St. and going east on Broadway.

The big Independence Day celebration will be capped at 10 p.m. on July 4th with a gigantic fireworks display over First Lake. Good viewing spots can be found at Lakeside Memorial Park.

Celebration HQ

This year more than ever, Post 225 will serve as celebration headquarters.

With the carnival in operation on the east side of Post 225, 355 W. Broadway Ave., and on NW 3rd St., the Legion grounds will be jumping, Flaherty said.

The bingo tent will return to the Post 225 grounds this year with a new layout. The tent will run north to south along NW 4th St. for the first time.

Bingo will be played 5 p.m. to midnight, Thursday, July 3, 1 p.m. to midnight, Friday, July 4, 3-11 p.m., Saturday, July 5, and 1-10 p.m., Sunday, July 6.

Post 225 will also be a setting for food and refreshments and music throughout the four-day celebration.

Free dance music will be provided inside Post 225 by ìThe Techniquesî from 8 p.m. to midnight July 3-5.

In addition to the carnival food booths, food vendors will be serving barbeque beef, steak and cheese sandwiches, burgers, brats, hot dogs, onion rings, french fries and corn on the cob.

Food hours by Legion vendors will be 3 p.m. to midnight July 3, 9 a.m. to midnight July 4, noon to midnight July 5 and noon until gone on July 6.

Carnival rides will be in operation at noon each day during the four-day celebration.

Top of Page