The Independence Day celebration in Bear Lake County will have numerous activities stretched over multiple days.
It will be easy to divide time between Paris and Montpelier from breakfast to bedtime.
The Paris City Chuckwagon Breakfast runs from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Memory Park on July 4 while the Montpelier Rotary Club’s Chuckwagon Breakfast runs from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Allinger Park next to the fairgrounds.
“The Rotary Chuckwagon Breakfast is becoming a family tradition,” said Rotary President Jim Griglack. “We have pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage links, coffee, juice and milk. I know that lines don’t get real long,” which means people get their food piping hot.
After the breakfasts, it is time to head to the Paris Tabernacle for the annual “We Sing of America” patriotic program. This program began in 1981 and has continued every year, with a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Often as many as 1,500 people squeeze into the Tabernacle to enjoy the talents of those who have been practicing for months to perform as part of the July 4 choir concert. The event ends with a special recognition of every branch of the military.
Once the program ends, it is time to head to Main Street in Paris for the annual July 4 Parade, which is set to begin at 1 p.m. This parade has grown every year, and every year children leave the parade with enough candy to last until Halloween.
Then it is time to go back to Montpelier for the Culpepper & Meriweather Circus for shows at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
According to their website, this little circus “truly has something for everyone! Our show is 90 minutes of fast-paced fun. You won't want to miss America's last traditional Big Top Circus.” The circus' shows will feature everything from beautiful animals to high-flying aerialists.
Sponsored by the Montpelier Rotary Club, this year’s circus will have Big Cats presented by Trey Key, Aerialist Extraordinaire Simone on the trapeze, 10th generation Loyal Bareback Horse Riders, the Perez Daredevil Duo on the Tight Rope and Wheel of Destiny, Elizabeth Ayala's incredible foot juggling and hair hang and everyone's favorite Circus Clown Leo Acton.
Advance tickets are cheaper than the day of the performance. The advance tickets cost $13 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12 or seniors age 65-plus. Advance tickets can be purchased BEFORE Circus Day from these locations: Broulim’s, Gundersen’s Ace Hardware, Buckhorn Boutique, EZ to Plez, Creative Minds Daycare, Ireland Bank or online at cmcircus.com.
The day will end with the famous Montpelier Rotary Club Fireworks at Allinger Park. The show starts at sundown and can be seen from miles away.
“The Lions Club used to put on the show, but they got down in numbers and decided to disband their club so the Rotary Club decided to take it over,” Griglack explained. “We found a fireworks company over in Preston (Acme Fireworks). They do this for a living so both we and the Montpelier Fire Department know that they know what they are doing. We have grown this show to what it is now with donations from different organizations and the community. I hear every year ‘That was the best show yet.’ It costs around $10,000 to put on this show, so we do ask for donations if you can give a little bit to help.”
Griglack continued, “Montpelier is a great place to watch the show because you can sit at Allinger Park, the football field and stands, the high school parking lot, and some even sit on the golf course. The show is entirely aerial so you probably can see it from anywhere in town. Of course, you won’t be able to hear the great patriotic music. A big shout out to the Montpelier Police Department and Bear Lake County Sheriff's Office that help us out when the show is over.”
But that’s not all. On July 5, the Bear Lake High School cross country team is sponsoring a fundraiser, The Paris Water Run. Everyone is welcome to walk or run. The 5K begins at 10 a.m. at the Paris City Park. It costs $30 a person. The one-mile run begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Paris City Park and it costs $15. Although pre-registration has ended, people can still register, but they won’t be guaranteed a T-shirt. Text 208-705-5230 to register.
July 6 in Paris is the place to be with the Bear Lake Junior Rodeo, a qualifier for the Junior World Finals, held at the Paris Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also in Paris from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 6 is the Craft/Vendor Fair with art, local farm products and other vendors at Memory Park.
End the day with the free Jagertown Concert with Tyler and the Train Robbers at Memory Park at 5:30 p.m.
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