Boulder Junction’s Independence Day celebrations will kick-off on Saturday, evening, July 3rd with a special Music on Main Street performance featuring the Clyde Masten Variety Show from 7pm to 9pm on the Music on Main Street stage at Peeple’s Park (next to Peeplelures). You have seen Clyde as The Voice of Elvis in past performances, this year he brings the music of Elvis, oldies, and country along with special guest vocalist and guitarist, Abbie Phillippi, to the stage. This is a free show. Please bring a chair or blanket.

The past year has shown us that heroes are all around us taking on many roles in our communities. In Boulder Junction, we will recognize these heroes deserving honor, respect, and gratitude with a “Honoring Our Heroes” themed parade on Sunday, July 4th. The parade will start at noon on Main Street with the American Legion Post 451-gun salute at the Veterans Memorial Triangle followed by Sharon Iltis singing of our national anthem. American Legion Post 451 color guard will lead the parade, followed by decorated bicycles, Boulder Junction Fire Department & EMT, a variety of floats, and other community entries. The Boulder Junction Lions Club will have a food tent from 11am-1pm.

Line up for floats will be on Ada Street the day of the parade. All participants should arrive no later than 11:30am. Entrants will begin at the Veterans’ Memorial Triangle, continue down Main Street, and end at St. Anne’s Place. No pre-registration is necessary for the floats. Floats will be judged and winners in the following categories will be presented with award plaques and coupons for complimentary Mad Dog Jakes ice cream cones: Best Use of Theme, Most Patriotic and Best Youth Float. This year’s awards are sponsored by Achilles Foot & Ankle Clinic.

Prior to the parade, come on down to Peeple’s Park for Downtown Doings. Downtown Doings is an interactive event featuring a Sidewalk Chalk Contest from 10am-10:45am and Funky Line Dance (salsa, cha cha and Cupid Shuffle) from 11am to 11:45am. Barb Boston will lead both the art contest and the dance instruction.

Later that evening, Sunday, July 4, fireworks sponsored by the Town of Boulder Junction, will be displayed at 10pm at the Boulder Junction Airport. Boulder Junction’s fireworks are easily accessible, and views are unsurpassable both at the Airport and by boat on Boulder Lake. But don’t wait until the fireworks start to make your way to the airport. Gates will open at 8pm so come early, get a great parking spot, and enjoy a little tailgating.

Find more events in Vilas County and northern Wisconsin here.