Thompson Falls hosts annual Fourth parade

Thompson Falls' annual Independence Day celebration brought large crowds and many venders to the area July 3. Sunny skies, warm weather, and many activities for both children and adults, drew people from all over western Montana.

Daniel Moore, a major sponsor of the event and instrumental in helping find funding to build Ainsworth Park, where the celebration took place, opened the entertainment by singing and playing the guitar.

A children’s parade followed Daniel Moore’s performance, showing off their Independence Day decorations and dancing costumes. The always busy bounce house kept the young ones entertained, while the older crowd visited the many vender booths spread out around the park.

Local venders were selling items from jewelry to doll clothing, log furniture to pro American items. Nancy Mehaffie, from The Daughters of the American Revolution, was on hand to help spur interest in finding one’s family ties to those that helped build our nation during the revolutionary war for independence. Local furniture builder, Adam Smith, was showing off his talents. Adam Smith is a local resident of Thompson Falls and his building style is unique because of his blindness. He is only able to see shapes. He lost his sight ten years ago and developed his woodworking skills through training in the school for the blind in Alaska.

The highlight of the celebration was the youth performance by the dancers from the Dance Xplosion class, with instructor/Owner Madison Suttorp.