What's up this weekend? Fireworks, parades headline Independence Day in Mitchell region

Marcus Traxler, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·7 min read

Jul. 1—MITCHELL — The traditional fireworks over Lake Mitchell on the Fourth of July will cap a busy weekend of events in the region to commemorate Independence Day.

The show will begin at dusk, or approximately 10 p.m. on Monday, July 4. The Mitchell Exchange Club sponsors the show, which is supported by corporate sponsorships.

The fireworks will be launched from the northwest part of Lake Mitchell at Windy Point and will be visible around the lake. The display is scheduled to last about 25 minutes. Lew's Fireworks, of Watertown, will be shooting the fireworks.

Carthage: The Carthage Fire Department is having a fundraiser on Main Street on Saturday, July 2. A freewill donation pork sandwich dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with fireworks to follow after dark at Lake Carthage.

Chamberlain: A July 4 patriotic parade is planned for 10:30 a.m. in Chamberlain, followed by a freewill offering hot dog feed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Dakota Veterans Park hosted by the Chamberlain American Legion. The annual Rock the Bluffs fireworks show will take place at 10:20 p.m. over the Missouri River.

Delmont: A Kids Day event with games will start at 1 p.m. on July 3 on Main Street, serving brats and watermelon.

Ethan: The Ethan Fire Department will host a fireworks show on July 4, beginning at dusk, at the Ethan Park.

Gregory: Gregory's Independence Day celebration will continue on Saturday, July 2 with an impersonation contest at 5 p.m. at Park Performance Center and turtle races at 5:30 p.m. Comedian and illusionist Devin Henderson will perform at 7 p.m. at the Prairie View Gospel Barn Dance and karaoke will be held nightly from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Gregory Lanes through July 4. On Monday, July 4, the Avera Gregory Run/Walk will be held at 8 a.m., and the parade will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a bean bag tournament at 12:30 p.m. at Gregory Lanes. A car show will take place at the City Park from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and fireworks will be shot off at 10 p.m. on July 4 from the Gregory Airport.

Howard: The annual Howard Firemen's Celebration will start at 3 p.m. July 4 with games at Loe Park. Food will be served at 5:30 p.m., with live music from 5 to 9 p.m. A fireworks display will be shown at the Howard softball diamonds at dusk.

Lake Andes: On Sunday, July 3, the Charles Mix County Lake Restoration Organization will hold a Rib Fest at the Bull-O-Rama grounds on the southwest edge of Lake Andes. The event will be picnic style, with food served from 6 to 8 p.m. Uncle Roy and The Boys will provide music. Fireworks will be shot off near the Lake Andes airport at dusk.

Kimball: The Kimball Chamber of Commerce's fireworks display will take place at dark on July 4.

Menno: The celebrations will begin on July 2 with the Menno Mad Frogs bean bag tournament at 1 p.m. Registration is $30 per team and ends at noon. On July 3, a patriotic community worship service will be held at 10 a.m. at the City Park. On July 4, the Menno Athletic Club road race will take place at 7:30 a.m., followed by the annual parade at 11 a.m, with a kiddie parade at 10:50 a.m. The theme of the parade will be "Price of Freedom." Following the parade, the Menno FFA will serve a barbecue pork meal at the school. At 7:30 p.m., the Mad Frogs will take on Freeman in an amateur baseball game, with fireworks to follow the game.

Parkston: The American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica will be on display throughout the weekend until 3 p.m. on July 4 at the East City Park. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, a roundtable discussion involving South Dakota authors will discuss books about Vietnam and at 1 p.m., a wreath ceremony will honor local law enforcement and first responders. At 3 p.m., there will be a car show and a community freewill offering meal will be held at 5 p.m. An evening ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. with military honors and country music artist Anna McElroy will perform in concert at 8:30 p.m. On Sunday, July 3, a pancake breakfast will take place from 7:30 a.m. to noon, with a non-denominational church service taking place at 10 a.m. The Ride of Honor motorcycle rally and bike show will take place on Main Street at 1 p.m., while musical entertainment will begin at the park at 1 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Parkston Mudcats amateur baseball team will play Dimock/Emery, with a fireworks display to follow the game.

Pickstown: The Pickstown July 4 celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. with the parade starting at the Post Office, with lineup starting at 10 a.m., with the theme of "Happy Birthday, America." All floats and entries are welcome. Lunch will take place in Tom Brokaw Park at 11 a.m., including hot dogs, chips, beans and root beer floats for a freewill donation. All proceeds will go toward new equipment at the park.

Platte: The Platte Killer Tomatoes will host an amateur baseball game with Corsica/Stickney at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, with fireworks from the Platte Volunteer Fire Department to follow at the baseball complex.

Springfield: The community will hold its annual Bull-O-Rama on July 2, with mutton bustin' at 6:30 p.m., calcutta at 7 p.m., and bull riding at 7:30 p.m. On July 3, a community worship will be held at 9 a.m. at College Memorial Park, followed by games in the park at 1 p.m. On July 4, the Firecracker 5K, 1-mile and youth 1/2-mile race will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. At the Springfield Marina, food vendors and inflatables will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the crowning of the Frog Queen and frog jump at 8 p.m. Fireworks will be fired off at dusk.

Wessington Springs: The community will have its Blue and Gold golf tournament at 10 a.m. July 2 at Springs Country Club. On July 3, a community church service will be held at the City Park at 11 a.m., followed by a hot dog lunch. A community talent show will be held at 1 p.m. The 4-H Horse Club will sponsor barrel racing at 10 a.m. on July 4. The community parade will be held at 2 p.m. on July 4, with an ice cream social and toy show to follow at the Wessington Springs Community Center. Fireworks are planned for dusk on July 4 from Lookout Hill.

Witten: The Witten Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual celebration on July 3. A hamburger meal will be held starting at 6 p.m. at the Witten Community Hall, with Outlaw DJ performing throughout the evening in the Witten City Park. Fireworks will be held at dusk.

Woonsocket: Woonsocket will be celebrating its Water Festival this weekend. On July 2, a 5K run will be held at 8 a.m., a kids fishing derby at Lake Prior at 9 a.m., water golf starting at noon and a bean bag tournament at 1 p.m. At 9 p.m. there will be a street dance, and throughout the weekend, a Survivor-style game will take place over three days with a $500 grand prize. On July 3, a pancake feed will be held at St. Wilfrid's Catholic Church from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., a firemen's challenge will be held at 1 p.m. and at 6 p.m., a pig wrestling contest will be held with teams of four. On July 4, the parade will be held at 11 a.m., followed by the FFA barbecue fundraiser at the Woonsocket Community Center at noon and turtle races at 1 p.m. Rock climbing, power bungee jumping and the volleyball tournament will take place at 1:30 p.m., kayak and canoe races from 2 to 4 p.m., a barbecue cook-off finals and feed will take place at 5 p.m. Fireworks will be shot over Lake Prior at 10 p.m.