Fourth of July in far North Idaho

The streets were lined with flags flying in the hands of parade goers as the Civil Air Patrol approached the starting line of the annual Bonners Ferry Fourth of July Celebration. Len Pine stepped on to the street to sing the Star Spangled Banner and silence ensued, reverence and gratitude shown on the faces of citizens of Bonners Ferry as the anthem began. And then, not one but two stanzas of the Star Spangled Banner were performed, the first and fourth.

Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation,
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land,
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto – “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The Grand Marshal, Ron Smith, Mr. Badger, fought back tears as he listened to the accolades bestowed upon him for his years of service to this great county and for his years of service as a proud Bonners Ferrian. He waved and smiled ear to ear as his chariot made its loop.

Local businesses and non-profits then began their sweep through downtown Bonners Ferry, their cars and trucks donned with banners, flags, lights, candy and joy all for one purpose; to celebrate our independence and share in that with fellow man.

All of downtown bustled with people from all over the county and counties and states over, even some from Canada. The Boundary County Fairgrounds was packed to the gills with tents and chairs, barbeques and iced coffees. Volleyball games and corn hole throwing made up much of the evening. The park was filled with children young and old and new friends and old gathered to view the much-anticipated annual fireworks show.

And then the rain. But that didn’t stop John Becker and the pyro crew.

“It was worth getting rained on!” One Bonners Ferry resident said, “It was the best show yet!”

Work is already underway for next year, the 250th birthday of the United States of America.  It is sure to be better yet.