Fourth of July Festival set for 2023

The 2023 Fourth of July Festival and Community Picnic is set for next Tuesday at Pepin Park at noon featuring food, a flag ceremony and music.

Event organizer Cassie Denny said this year’s event will be fairly traditional with a ceremony and the national anthem at Pepin Park followed by food at 12:15 p.m.

Denny said she’s expecting attendance to rise this year and they are prepared to feed 1,000 people.

The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it was at risk of being canceled last year after the retirement of two key members of the event’s planning committee, Allen “Woody” Woodwick and then-committee chairperson Sherri Simonson.

Denny would step up to be the event’s primary organizer in what appeared to be a very successful first year for her.

Sunday, Denny said she’s much more comfortable in the position now that she has a successful year under her belt, but it’s still a big undertaking.

“I understand it is a huge community staple,” she said. “I have put much thought and consideration into shaping it into a wonderful time for our community.”

The celebration started in 2001 with a parade down Fifth Avenue and since has expanded to a major celebration in Pepin Park on Independence Day with food, music and companionship.

Denny said the event is still taking volunteers for their photo booth, for serving food and a few other things as well.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.