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2018 4th of July Celebrations

It’s the day in which we come together as a country, unabashedly patriotic, and let freedom ring with celebrations of all kinds from parades and rodeos to stunning fireworks. Discover what’s happening in our community and beyond this Fourth of July!  

CLOSE TO HOME

Laurel

Known for lighting up the night sky with the “biggest fireworks display in the state,” crowds of people descend upon Laurel year after year to experience this incredible show, and the fun and festivities that come before it.

July 4 Schedule

  • 6am-11am, Laurel Jaycees Pancake Breakfast– Held at Fireman’s Park, Main Street and 1st Avenue ($6/adult, $4/children 12 and younger, 6 and younger eat free)
  • 6am- Sign-in for Chief Joseph Run- Thomson Park picnic shelter-6th Street; 6:30am- 8-mile start; 7am- 2 & 4 mile start. (Register up until July 3 at https://runsignup.com/Register/?raceId=17447)
  • 10am- Kiddie Parade- Begins at Western Security Bank, ends at Firefighter's Memorial (2nd Avenue and 1st Street)
  • 11am- The Grand Parade (theme: It’s a Grand Old Flag), the parade starts at Alder, going west on Main Street, to First Avenue, north to 8th Street, and west to 3rd
  • 9am-9pm- Food & Craft Fair– Tasty eats, creative fare, activities, entertainment, and music in Thomson Park
  • The Main Event: Fireworks as soon as it gets dark! Thomson Park, Laurel High School’s lawn and beyond fills up quickly, so be sure to get there early to secure your spot. 

Billings

Celebrate Freedom

It’s fun for the whole family at Harvest Church’s annual Celebrate Freedom festivities. Held at Castle Rock Park, there will be free activities, food, and fireworks!

July 4

Free fun for the family, starting at 5pm:

  • Inflatables • Rock Wall • Face Painting • Yard Games • Splash Park
  • Live music:
    • 5pm - Day Old Donuts
    • 6:30pm - To Be Determined
    • 8pm - John Roberts y Pan Blanco

Starting at dark:

  • 20-25 minutes of fireworks by PyroFx

Food:

  • $3 Grill Meal - includes a burger or hot dog with two sides
  • $0.50 concessions - ice cream, fresh lemonade, snow cones, and more!

For more information about the day’s festivities (or to volunteer) go to www.harvestchurch.tv/celebratefreedom.     

DOWN THE ROAD

Roundup Independence Days Extravaganza (RIDE)

Hit the highway and head to Roundup for their 14th annual four-day festival that's all about celebrating western history and national pride. A RIDE Wristband will get you into all events, except the 5k Run, Rodeo, and Water Wars. Bring your chairs and blankets!

July 1 Schedule

Ridge Riders Arena (405 12th Ave East)

  • 8am- Cowboy Church (pretty informal, don’t forget your lawn chair!)
  • 9:15-10am Check in- Buttons & Bows Youth Rodeo (Entries must be turned in and postmarked by June 24, for ages 3-18). More information: roundupindependencedays.com
  • 10:30am- Buttons & Bows Grand Entry

July 2 Schedule

Shooting Range (83 Golf Course Road)

  • 1-5pm- Roundup Sportsmen’s Top Shot Competition

Roundup City Park Stage

  • 7pm- Dancing in the Dirt with ZEN (free!)

July 3 Schedule

Downtown

  • 11am- Main Street Parade
  • After parade- Beer Barrel Water Wars, fundraiser for Roundup Fire Department

Roundup City Park

  • 12-5pm, Kids Kountry (all kinds of fun and activities for the kiddos!)

Roundup City Park Stage

  • 7pm- Evening entertainment with Mr. Lonnie Bell hosting. Performances by: High Country Cowboys and Ronnie McDowell
  • Fireworks by Roundup Skylighters & MT Poor Boys Pyrotechnics, directly follow the evening entertainment

July 4 Schedule

Roundup City Park Stage

  • 7:30am- 5K Fun Run-Walk-RIDE (pre-register at imathlete.com)

Downtown

  • 11am- Main Street Parade
  • After parade- Beer Barrel Water Wars, fundraiser for RFD

Roundup Fairgrounds

  • 2:30pm- Rodeo Roundup (RIDE wristband does not include admission to rodeo).

Roundup City Stage

  • 7pm- Jason Larson opens for pop sensations, Laura Velvet & the Bookhouse Boys

Red Lodge Home of Champions Rodeo & Parades

It’s traditional 4th of July at its very finest in Red Lodge, MT. The Home of Champions Rodeo has been a part of the community for 90 years! So pull on those boots for a “ropin’ and ridin, singin’ and swingin’ good time!” 

The Home of Champions Rodeo action runs:

  • July 2 @ 6pm
  • July 3 @ 6pm
  • July 4 @ 3pm

For tickets or more information call 406.446.1718 or go to http://redlodgerodeo.com. Rodeo tickets can be purchased in Billings at Shipton’s Big R East and West. 

Parades start each day, promptly at noon. This year’s theme is “Cowboys Ride ‘n’ Rope” with Grand Marshall, Rick Waples, a former team roper (and second generation Grand Marshall), leading the way. A special group/theme is recognized with a variety of prizes awarded each day.

No entry fee for parade participants; line up starts at 9/9:30am

July 2 – Children’s Day

July 3 – Mining and Agricultural Appreciation Day

July 4 – Traditional Independence Day

ROAD TRIP

Livingston Roundup Rodeo

Rodeo is a beloved piece of Montana’s fabric, and the Livingston Roundup Rodeo has been a part of that history for nearly 100 years! Make your way to this beautiful part of our state for three days of outstanding rodeo action! (Tickets sellout earlier every year, so get yours sooner rather than later! $16/general admission, $27/reserved).

July 2 Schedule

  • 3pm- Livingston Chamber of Commerce Parade (downtown Livingston)
  • 8pm- Livingston Roundup Rodeo (Family Night, Fireworks) @ Park County Fairgrounds

July 3 Schedule

  • 1pm- Kiddie Rodeo (Held at the Spur Line and uses stick horses, not live animals. Autographs with the Rodeo Queen)
  • 8pm- Livingston Roundup Rodeo (Fireworks) @ Park County Fairgrounds

July 4 Schedule

  • 8pm- Livingston Roundup Rodeo (Crowning of Miss Livingston Roundup, Fireworks) @ Park County Fairgrounds

For more information or to reserve tickets: 406.222.3199, https://livingstonroundup.com/tickets/tickets.   

Cody, WY

Cody Stampede

Known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” Cody is home to the Cody Stampede Rodeo, hitting 99 years of thrilling rodeo action this year. So, get those tickets early, load up the family, and head on down to Cody for the “the Largest One Header Rodeo in the PRCA!”  

  • July 1-3 @ 8pm, gates to open at 6pm, tickets $20/person
  • July 4 @ 5pm, gates to open at 3pm, tickets $25/person
  • And don’t miss the Cody Stampede Parade, themed: Wyoming, Buckin’ thru Time, held July 3 & 4 at 9:30am. Begins at the Buffalo Bill Center of West, proceeds east down Sheridan Ave.

For more information or to order tickets go to: www.codystampederodeo.com/events

Originally printed in the pages of Simply Family Magazine’s June 2018 issue.

Never miss an issue, check out SFM’s digital editions, here! 

featured photo by Jana Graham Photography