BIGFORK — The Bigfork Chamber of Commerce canceled their annual Fourth of July parade due to COVID-19 concerns at the beginning of June.
But an alternative Fourth of July parade has been planned by a local citizen in a new location.
The event will take place at 12 p.m. on Saturday on Highway 209 between the Ferndale Fire Hall and the intersection with Highway 83.
Event organizer Zack Wenzel said local vendors, a beer garden and live music will be featured at the Ferndale Market starting at 11 a.m.
Wenzel expects anywhere from 50 to 100 floats to participate and between 5,000 and 10,000 people to show up.
Wenzel said the event is sanctioned by local health officials.
He says keeping the tradition of the Bigfork Fourth of July parade going is important for the local community.
“I feel like not having a tourist season was just going to hurt the small business even worse, and I feel like people needed something to do to get of the house. It’s the Fourth of July parade, I felt like we couldn’t just not have it,” said Wenzel.
Wenzel says the event is open to all ages and free to the public.
He added that face masks are recommended by the state but not required.
