Fourth of July festival postponed till 2022

Havre Daily News staff

For the second year in a row, a Havre Independence Day celebration has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woody Woodwick and Sherri Simonson, who help plan the Fourth of July Celebration in Pepin Park, said the celebration will not be held this year.

“The Fourth of July Festival Committee is sad to announce that, due to the uncertainties and questionable availability of services, the Fourth of July Celebration will be postponed until 2022,” their announcement said.

Woodwick said too many uncertainties such as park reservations, insurance, supplies and so on exist to proceed with the planning.

The committee announced in May 2020, with the state in a shutdown mode due to the pandemic. Montana was moving through Phase One of its reopening plan that month, but Simonson and Woodwick said they wanted to err on the side of caution and too many variables and uncertainties were in place.

The celebration started in 2000, and has grown since then, usually including a flag presentation ceremony, a full day of live music, food and companionship in Pepin Park.

The event has been free, but donations for the next year’s event have been accepted.

Businesses and local organizations have donated food and labor for the event, all put on by volunteers.

The event typically serves food to more than 1,000 people.