By Andi Bourne
Pathfinder 

Seeley Fourth of July activities undecided, input needed

 


SEELEY LAKE – With the Fourth of July a little over two months away, discussions have begun around what this year’s celebration in Seeley Lake will look like. The Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in putting together the parade through downtown Seeley Lake and the fireworks over the lake. Last year since the parade through downtown was canceled due to COVID-10, Tamaracks Resort organized a boat parade and put on the fireworks show in the middle of the lake. Several other organizations hold events that many people look forward to and enjoy annually.

Everyone is encouraged to share your thoughts about this year’s celebration by filling out the survey below by May 14. This will help guide local leaders through their decision making process.

With the Chamber Executive Director Lisa Hayhurst, President Eric Hayhurst and board member Jona Bartlett stepping down from the Chamber May 1, the Chamber no longer has the leadership to organize the parade. However the Chamber agreed to provide insurance for the parade if someone steps forward to be the parade manager. Additional volunteers would also be required to support the event.

“No matter if we get an executive director or not, we need a parade manager to organize the meetings ahead of time and then do everything on the Fourth,” Lisa said.

If anyone is interested in being the parade manager, please call the Chamber at 406-677-2880 or email slchamber@blackfoot.net.

Tamarack’s owner Jessica Kimmel said she would hate to see the downtown parade not happen again this year but she agrees a parade manager is needed. She would be willing to spearhead the boat parade again this year. Participants were not required to register and no permits were required. Tamaracks would put out the schedule and organize the first and last boats in the parade.

“That was easy. Town can just rally and do that on their own without a whole lot of direction,” Kimmel said. “I’m not taking on the parade in town.”

In the past people have donated to the Chamber since it is a non-profit for the show. Again, without Chamber leadership, volunteers and local businesses would need to lead the fundraising efforts. Who would collect the funds for the Chamber still needs to be decided if the community wants a public show.

Kimmel and her husband Jeff are Class C certified to light ammunitions and put on the fireworks display last year. With the help of donated time and materials from other community members and businesses, they also rebuilt the barge from which the fireworks are lit.

“We wanted to make sure town still had something,” Kimmel said. “The barge is amazing and will never ever need to be replaced.”

While they used their business website and Facebook platforms to help fundraise, they opened a separate account designated solely for fireworks. There is still $79 in the account that will be donated to the show this year however they will not be collecting donations this year.

The community is encouraged to fill out the survey online at https://forms.gle/JeRZZjhUZnfoMmVr7 or clip out and return the below survey by May 14. It is also an opportunity to volunteer and get involved. The parades and fireworks are dependent on the interest and volunteers available to make it happen.

Please circle the number next to your selection. Drop off in the Pathfinder’s box outside the office in the Bison and Bear Center south of the Post Office, mail to Box 702, Seeley Lake, MT 59868 or email your response to pathfinder@seeleylake.com

If a Parade is held in Seeley Lake on Highway 83 I would:

1. Attend the parade as a spectator.

2. Participate in the parade by entering a float or vehicle.

3. Not attend or participate in the parade.

4. Other:

If a Boat Parade is held on Seeley Lake I would:

1. Attend the Boat Parade as a spectator.

2. Participate in the Boat Parade by entering a float.

3. Not attend or participate in the Boat Parade.

4. Other:

If both a Highway Parade and a Boat Parade are held I would:

1. Only attend/participate in the Highway Parade.

2. Only attend/participate in the Boat Parade.

3. Attend both Parades if they are scheduled for different times.

4. Other:

If only one Parade is held I would prefer:

1. A Highway Parade. 2. A Boat Parade.

3. Other:

Willing to volunteer to help put on a parade? Provide your name and contact information here. The parade on the Highway will not happen without someone stepping forward to be the parade manager.

Would you like a public fireworks display?

1. Yes 2. No

3. Other:

If a public fireworks display is put on I would like it to be located:

1. In the bay and visible from Lindey’s.

2. In the middle of the lake and visible from the Forest Service campgrounds (like last year).

3. Other:

Other activities I would attend this Fourth in Seeley Lake include (circle all that apply):

1. Seeley Lake Fire Department Pancake Breakfast

2. Mission Bible Fellowship BBQ

3. Annual Seeley Lake Duck Race on the Clearwater River

4. Other:

Additional comments about Seeley’s Fourth:

 

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