Kellogg will celebrate Fourth of July

KELLOGG — There will be a rockets’ red glare and the bombs will be bursting in air this Fourth of July in Kellogg.

The annual Independence Day celebration was nearly canceled in Shoshone County’s largest city, after several years of low participation and declining funding forced the Historic Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce (HSVCC) to make the difficult decision to no longer continue putting on the event.

Fortunately, one of the Silver Valley’s largest businesses stepped up to ensure that the show will indeed go on.

Silver Mountain has stepped up to organize the event with the help of the HSVCC and many other donors.

“The Fourth celebration has a long history in the Silver Valley, and I believe it is an important part of our sense of pride and community spirit,” Silver Mountain general manager Jeff Colburn said. “We encourage people to come out and support it this year and for many years into the future.”

As always, there will a bevy of activities throughout the day before the main fireworks show, but there are also some changes this year as well.

Due to the ongoing construction happening throughout Kellogg, this year’s parade will be a Pet and Kids parade.

“It will start at the Silver Mountain parking lot and travel down the bike trail to the City Park. Instead of the kids on the side watching the parade, this year they will be the stars,” Colburn said. “Animals must be on leashes; stuffed varieties are fine, and all kinds of animals are accepted. Gerbils in a cage in a wagon, stuffed animal tied to your bike are all acceptable things. There will be a decoration station at the start of the parade, so people can get their kids, animals or parents decorated up. Larger animals such as horses are also welcome. We encourage every kid and animal owner to get involved.”

Following the parade, City Park will host a variety of vendors, live music and a beer garden. The city pool will also be open from 1-4 p.m. with free admission for everyone to cool off.

Kids games will start at 2 p.m. in the park, including old-fashioned games such as the gunny sack race, three-legged race, watermelon seed spitting contest and more.

The music and vendors will be open until 5 p.m.

“We encourage you to come down to the park, and enjoy some neighborly conversations, great music and cool vendors and activities,” Colburn said.

Rick Gilbert and his team will provide the fireworks show at dusk, but due to construction on the CIA site, the show will be launched from the back of the Silver Mountain parking lot.

Funds are still needed to pay for the show, and Silver Mountain Resort will match any donation up to $2,500.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the chamber office, 10 E. Station Kellogg, ID 83837.

Additional vendor space is available and can be reserved by calling the chamber at 208-784-0821.

Parade rules are available on the chamber website at www.silvervalleychamber.com.