The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce will again organize the state's largest parade whose route intertwines the city's residential neighborhoods and ends at Tautphaus Park. With more than 100 floats displaying the cities best artistic talent centered around a patriotic theme, you will soon realize why several thousand people attend this magnificent rolling, twirling, jumping, dancing exhibit of freedom.
If you'd like to get a jump on the Independence Day celebrations, you can do so with the Firecracker 5K -- a great run through the Idaho Falls parade route. If nothing else, it's a great way to scout out your spot for the festivities following the race. The Firecracker "runs" from 7 to 9 a.m. and is staged at Tautphaus Park. Entry is a paltry $32.
Visit www.tetonrunning.net or call 403-9743 for more details.
As for the parade itself, here's the line-up as of June 26:
8:15 AM Idaho Falls Magazine/Riverbend Communications Parade Guide Handout
8:30 AM Idaho Falls Exchange Club Flag Handout
9:00 AM Citizens Watch Car
9:00 AM Classic Cars & Parade Start
Idaho Falls Police Department
1 Flag Carriers
2 Theme Carriers
3 Skyline High School Band
4 Grand Marshall - City/State/County Police; Fire Department; EMT; Air Idaho
5 Idaho Falls Police Department
6 Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman
7 City of Idaho Falls Sister Cities
8 Iona Mayor Brad Andersen
9 Ucon Mayor David Blain
10 Ammon Mayor Steve Fuhriman
11 Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Robb Chiles
12 Thompson for Idaho
13 Jave Express & Juice Jungle
14 Nicole LeFavour for Congress
15 Melaleuca
16 Judicial District 7 CASA Program
17 Independent American Party
18 Foothills & Riverwest Dental
19 Bonneville Democrats
20 Riverbend Communications - KLCE
21 Riverbend Communiations - The Hawk
22 Bonneville County Republican Central Committee
23 Skyline High School Student Council
24 Skyline High School Cheerleading
25 Little People's Academy
26 Rooftop Solutions
27 The Stillwater Est. 1997
28 American Legion War Bonnet Roundup Rodeo
29 Caribou Targhee National Forest
30 STREET SWEEPER
31 Idaho International Pageants
32 Miss Southeastern Idaho
33 Missionary Mall
34 ServPro
35 Hillcrest High School Marching Band
36 Hillcrest High School Student Council
37 Hillcrest High School Cheerleading
38 Hillcrest High School Knightline Dance Team
39 Sandcreek Middle School
40 Martial Arts Academy
41 D.A.R.E.
42 Dr. Slaughters
43 Snake River BMX Club
44 Machen Family Dentistry
45 Idaho Falls Chukars
46 Harts Tux & Gowns
47 Miss Idaho Falls Scholarship Pageant Float
48 Shrine Clowns
49 Miss Idaho Falls Scholarship Pageant
50 The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints - Eagle Rock Stake
51 Fantastic Sams Hair Salon
52 Mockli's Music Shop & School
53 Eastern Idaho Public Health District Immunization Task Force
54 Jefferson County Junior Posse
55 STREET SWEEPER
56 The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints - Ammon Idaho Foothills Stake
57 U-Pick Red Barn
58 Heise Hot Springs
59 Idaho Falls High School Marching Band
60 Idaho Falls High School Student Body
61 Idaho Falls High School Boys & Girls Federation
62 Idaho Falls High School Cheerleading
63 Hearts for Hospice
64 El Korah Kart Kore
65 Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
66 Falls Fit Club
67 Civil Air Patrol Eagle Rock Composite Squadrom
68 Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association
69 Chick-Fil-A
70 Mila Couture
71 Idaho Falls Young Single Adult Branch
71A Mountain River Ranch
71B STREET SWEEPER
73 Bonneville DeMolay
74 Bonneville High School Band
75 Bonneville High School Student Council
76 Bonneville High School Cheerleading
77 Bonneville High School Honeybees Dance Team
78 Rocky Mountain Middle School Cheerleading
79 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Idaho
80 Calvary Chapel of Idaho Falls
81 Bonneville County 4H
82 Alamas (Idaho State University - Idaho Falls)
83 Idaho State University - Idaho Falls
84 Interfaith Community Service Project
85 Stasia Acrobates
86 Hope Lutheran Church & School
87 Hospice of Eastern Idaho
88 Girl Scouts
89 Spray Me Down
90 The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints - Idaho Falls Lincoln Stake
91 Homestead Insurance
92 Idaho Falls Rush Rugby
93 Mental Wellness Centers
94 Eagle Rock Dance
95 Woodpilot
96 Calvary Baptist Church
97 Idaho Falls Community Tennis Association
98 Boogaloo Fit
99 Salt Lake Express (Shaka's)
100 The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints - Ammon Idaho North Stake
101 Royal Theaters
102 The Aviators
103 Teton Running
104 Jill Searle's School of Dance
105 Occupy Idaho Falls
106 ServPro & 61st Young Single Adult Ward Cleanup Crew
Special Effects
Utah Helicopter
EIRMC Helicopter
National Guard - Gowen Field Flyover
Hill Airforce Base Flyover
Following the parade, the 2012 AT&T Liberty Festival on The Falls is set for Wednesday the Fourth of July from noon to 10 p.m. It will be located on Memorial Drive between Broadway and "E" Street. As always, everyone is welcome and admission is free.
The festival is a growing East Idaho tradition in its own right, but it also serves a tactical purpose in the day's lineup of events. Most notably, it bridges the gap between the parade in the morning and the fireworks display in the evening. The beautiful Snake River is the picturesque backdrop for the day’s festivities. The smell of delicious food and the sounds of children’s laughter fills the air, along with live music and fun contests. Kids’ games, arts and crafts, business displays and more are what you can expect to find at this city-wide tradition rich in celebration.
That evening, Melaleuca will be returning to host its namesake Freedom Celebration that takes place on the Greenbelt in downtown Idaho Falls.
The Celebration consists of a family style buffet dinner along the banks of the Snake River, a performance by members of the Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra, special observances and addresses by the state's top elected officials, culminating in what is arguably the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi.
Every year, more than 100,000 people gather from all around Idaho and across the United States to witness the Melaleuca free fireworks display. The pyrotechnics are computer-fired to specially selected patriotic and popular music that is choreographed note for note and shot for shot.
Adding to the effect is a narration that takes the audience through key events in our nation's history, blending in voice recordings of famous heroes and statesmen.
Fireworks begin at approximately 10 p.m. Bring your radio tuned to KLCE 97.3 FM and remember: the fireworks are FREE. For more information, visit www.freedomcelebration.com.
