Cliff Buchan
News Editor

A community drive to fund the American Legion Post 225 Fourth of July parade and fireworks has reached the $20,000 level.

A key factor in the drive to date has been the success of the sale of flag photos. The committee that is spearheading the fund-drive said this week $6600 has been raised from the sale of flag photos that are signed by the buyers and posted in the businesses where they are purchased.

With $20,000 in the bank, the drive has reached 60 percent of the estimated $34,000 Post 225 needs to sponsor the parade and pay for the fireworks display.

The funds are coming in from many sources — from large business and civic organizations to the $1 contributions from individuals.

Businesses have engaged in some spirited competition. Among the businesses selling flag photos, Rapid Press and owner/Mayor Stev Stegner is leading the pack with more than $200 in sales.

City Looks is in second place while Mansetties and Forest Lake Floral are running neck and neck for third place.

In the bar competition fund drive, Post 225 is leading the way with VFW Post 4210 a close second. The Forest Laker, Dummy’s, Friar Tuck’s, Upperdeck and Hooks rounding out the list.

The Legion drive has also received some notable donations.

On Monday, the Legion received a $500 check from Kathy McMenomran of Longville in memory of her father, the late Roman Beimert who was active with Post 225 and the July 4th celebration.,

Barb Olson, parade chair, said the $500 will be used to sponsor the carriage that will carry grand marshal El Ewert in the July 4 parade.,

Earlier, Post 225 received a $500 donation from Gary and Dee Dee Callies who live on S. Lake Street (US-61). Their home is on the parade route.

The couple said they made the donation to support the celebration that they have come to love and to inspire others in the community to support the celebration.

Other events

The fund-raising committee is also poised for several more big events and is still tallying the results of the June 1-3 Fun in the Forest celebration at Lakeside Memorial Park.

The committee reported this week the park dunk tank brought in $250 on Sunday.

An additional bonus came from Wealth Management Midwest owner Dave Purdy, Forest Lake, who donated the $150 cost of the dunk tank rental. Purdy and his band, Bullseye, also donated its time with a gazebo concert Sunday.

Other proceeds have yet to be tallied from Legion celebration button sales and proceeds from park food sales from the Brick House Eatery and Jodi’s Komfort Kitchen during the weekend.

Several big events are in the works.

Friar Tuck’s is slated to have its Dumpster Hot Tub Party on Saturday, June 16 with a portion of the proceeds going to the drive.

On Saturday, June 23, the annual Dummy’s Dummy Fest is slated, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Fourth of July celebration.

With rain spoiling some of the activities last weekend, two Forest Laker events tentatively have been rescheduled.

The Fun in the Forest Street Dance which was rained out on Saturday night is rescheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 15. The admission is $5 for adults with the proceeds going to the Legion drive.

The Bar Stool Races that were also cancelled because of the threat of rain on Sunday will now take place from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, June 15. Public participation in the go-kart-style races is encouraged. The rescheduled events are pending approval by the city of Forest Lake.

The Forest Laker will also have a food stand in business outside with some of the proceeds earmarked for the Fourth of July celebration.

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