Seeley Swan Pathfinder -

SEELEY LAKE – A lone trumpet playing the Star Spangled Banner echoed across Seeley Lake just moments before the main fireworks display lit up the sky. This was the grand finale to a full day of Fourth of July festivities in Seeley Lake celebrating our country's independence and freedom.

For the early risers, a hot pancake breakfast was waiting for them at the Seeley Lake Fire Hall starting at 7 a.m. The Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Foundation served around 600 people and raised about $4,000 for the Foundation. This will be used to help support the volunteers and the department.

Fire Chief Dave Lane felt the breakfast was a great success. He enjoyed saying hi to many in the community he already knows and getting to meet many others. The Foundation would like to thank all of their sponsors for the donations and the community for the great turnout and support.

The next stop was the free barbecue at Mission Bible Fellowship and activities for children. They cooked up 180 pounds of pork in the smoker loaned by Pop's Place and fed nearly 425 people this year.

"It was such a great time this year with more food and volunteers," said Jason Hood one of cooks. "This year we just needed more people to eat it. We are so glad to continue to serve our community."

Prior to the parade, more than 30 children and adults enjoyed the opportunity to decorate their bicycles, wagons and scooters at the bike decorating station sponsored by Faith Chapel.

The parade, sponsored by the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, started after a fly-over by a C-130 provided by the Montana Air National Guard- 120th Airlift Wing out of Great Falls, Mont. and the national anthem sung by Lane Mackie-Wendel and Korinne Treser. More than 50 groups, floats, vehicles and individuals participated in the annual event from A Street to Redwood Lane on Highway 83.

The entries were judged on enthusiasm, following the theme "Destination Seeley Lake" and presentation. The judges said it was very difficult to choose the winners since there were so many exceptional entries and everyone really got into the theme. The winners of this year's parade received $150 for first place, $75 for second and $25 for third in three categories.

2019 Parade Winners

Individual Category

1 - Katelyn Lewis

2. Rich Ranch Color Guard

3. Kaydin

Vehicle Category

1. Hellgate Corvette Club

2. Hot Springs Fire Truck

Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder

The Rich Ranch Color Guard. Rich Ranch employees Julia Boland with the American flag riding Little Joe, the Riches granddaughter Kyra's horse, and Jennifer Fife on Navajo with the Montana flag.

3. Jim Rogers and Scooter

Group/Float Category

1. Ginger Williams & Optimal Fitness - Wally Wagon Goes to Seeley Lake

2. The Chicken Coop

3. Camp Paxson Family Camp

The 22nd annual Duck Races down the Clearwater River sold out. The 400 ducks took their annual swim with Marcus Wehr's duck "Wade" putting on the distance and finishing as the clear winner. It was again a great fundraiser for Seeley Lake Youth Activities.

The community fireworks display finished off the festivities. A member from the Fourth of July Committee said while there were many private fireworks displays going off prior to the community display, they were thankful that the community members held their fire following trumpet player Jared Townsend playing the Star Spangled Banner until after the grand finale.