Fourth of July festival set for another year

Havre residents are invited to take part in the 17th annual Fourth of July Festival at Pepin Park next Tuesday, which will include a free barbecue lunch, entertainment and an original play performed by a traveling acting troupe.

Sheri Simonson, the festival's director, said organizers are prepared to serve 1,400 meals.

The festival was started by Allen "Woody" Woodwick and his brother Vince as a family picnic and eventually blossomed into a communitywide celebration.

Festivities will begin at noon with a flag ceremony performed by Havre scouts, Simonson said.

Volunteers will start serving hamburgers and hot dogs at 12:15 p.m.

Woody Woodwick, who is in charge of the festival's music program, said Emily Simonson will sing the national anthem and musicians will perform a sing-along of patriotic songs. Featured musical acts will include Carole and the Tapestries, the Crawford Brothers Band, the Milk River Band and a dual performance by Woodwick and Arden Flansberg.

"Things are shaping up and it looks like it is going to be another great celebration," Woodwick said.   

The Agile Rascals Bicycle Touring Theatre, an acting troupe traveling across the state by bicycle, will perform an original play they have written about Montana. The play is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.  

The website for The Agile Rascals says the group has created its first "state-specific play" for Montana and it is performing it as its members bike throughout the state. The group will launch its six-week, 1,264-mile tour Friday with its first performance at the Ursuline Center in Great Falls before coming to Havre.   

Activities for children at the festival will include face painting and a station where children can blow bubbles.

Girl Scouts will sell cookies during the event.

People will have the chance to take part in a raffle for several items. Simonson said the tickets will be on sale at the event for $1 each or six for $5 with proceeds going to offset costs associated with the festival. Winners will be announced after a drawing at 3:30 p.m.

People are encouraged to bring their own chairs to the festival, as seating will not be provided.

Simonson said people who are interested in volunteering to serve food should come to the park at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to set up.