A call for entries has been issued by American Legion Post 225 for its annual Fourth of July Independence Day Parade.
Forest Lake’s 93rd annual celebration will take place June 30 to July 4. “Let Freedom Ring” is the theme for this year’s event.
“We are looking for a wide range of parade entrants and welcome units from throughout the area,” said Krista Goodyear, one of the parade organizers. Floats, bands and marching units representing businesses, churches and civic organizations are encouraged to take part, she said.
Parade entry deadline is Wednesday, June 29. Entry forms can be obtained at Post 225, 355 W. Broadway Ave., or online at www.post225.com.
Past Post 225 Commander Barb Olson, the post’s first female leader, has been named parade grand marshal.
Fundraising
With the celebration less than a month away, Post 225 continues to raise funds to support the parade and fireworks, the two cornerstone events of the annual observance. The post hopes to raise $19,000 in the days leading up to the celebration.
Two events will take place this week to help fund the celebration.
The Legion Ladies Auxiliary will conduct its Fourth of July Garage Sale at Post 225 on Thursday and Friday. Donations of gently used items may be dropped off at the Legion this week.
The Ladies Auxiliary is also selling the annual Post 225 Independence Day theme buttons. They will be available during the garage sale at the post and all month.
Raffle tickets are also being sold this month by the Sons of the American Legion with the grand prize winner receiving a ride in a World War II era airplane over the parade route on July 4. Tickets are $5 each. The drawing will take place on June 25.
Post 225 also plans to raise revenue for the parade and fireworks by selling parade sponsorships to area businesses and civic organizations. Sponsorship funds can be directed to a parade unit or an advertisement in a parade program dubbed “Red, White and Blue Bargain Book” that will be available on the day of the parade. The program will contain the parade lineup and be available to the thousands of parade spectators who line the streets for the 10 a.m. parade.
Information on the sponsorship program is available at Post 225 or online at www.post225.com.
A parade and fireworks steak dinner is also planned by the Sons of the American Legion from 5-8 p.m. at the post Friday, June 24. The steak fry dinner will include baby red potatoes and coleslaw.
At 7 p.m. June 24, KQRS radio personality Brian Zepp and the “Miller Girls” will be at the post to join in the fun. Zepp will present one lucky Legion visitor with a key that may be the one that will start a Harley Davidson motorcycle that will be given away later in the summer.
More events
The annual celebration will once again be centered at Post 225.
The bingo tent will be in operation and carnival rides and attractions will offer entertainment on the Legion grounds for all five days. The Legion will also be the spot for nightly music and dining opportunities.