Patriotic folks around the Flathead Valley will be flying the flag and celebrating America’s birthday the old-fashioned way this Fourth of July.

Here’s a town-by-town roundup of community events Wednesday:

BIGFORK

Early risers can get a jump on the holiday with Bigfork’s Freedom 5K Run/Walk. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. The event is a fundraiser for Grateful Nation Montana. Call 240-9278.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts a free breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon and eggs and orange juice from 9 to 11 a.m. The church is located at 121 Crestview Ave.

The Village by the Bay’s popular Fourth of July parade draws crowds from across the valley. It starts at noon on Grand Avenue followed by a Children’s Carnival.

The “Ducks for Bucks” race the Wild Mile of the Swan River at 4 p.m. Call 837-5888 to purchase your duck.

LAKESIDE

Celebrate the Fourth by joining the Fourth of July Boat Parade on Flathead Lake. 

Staging will take place at 1:30 p.m. in Lakeside Bay directly out from The Docks Restaurant. The parade begins at 2 p.m. The route will finish at the Somers public boat ramp. 

Boats will be judged for the most patriotic and most decorated.

For more information, call Holly Larson, 253-8088; Bob Lincoln, 253-5014; or Tip Clark, 249-2240.

Lakeside will launch its annual fireworks display promptly at 11 p.m. from out on the lake near Waterside Condominiums in Lakeside Bay. The public can view from either the public dock on the north or the park on the south side. There will be plenty of parking at Lakeside Elementary School.

The fireworks show is synchronized to music by Bee Broadcasting’s country radio station The Bear. Tune in to 106.3 FM.

KALISPELL

Kalispell kicks off its Fourth of July celebration with the annual parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Children of all ages, along with youth groups and other organizations, are invited to decorate their bikes and use pedal power in the parade.

Following the parade there will be a memorial ceremony at Depot Park, featuring a fly-over at 11:16 a.m. by two F-15Cs from the 120th Fighter Wing in Great Falls. The Conrad Mansion hosts its annual free ice cream social in the mansion’s gardens. Tours will be available per the regular schedule and pricing.

For information about registering an entry in the parade, call the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce at 758-2803.

Woodland Water Park in Kalispell is sponsoring Red, White and Blue Day from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is $3 per person and includes a free barbecue. Call 758-7812 for details.

If you’re looking for a fun and family-friendly spot to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Flathead’s fireworks, Lone Pine State Park in Kalispell will be open in the evening from 9 to 11:30 p.m.

For more information, call 755-2706.

BIG ARM

Big Arm celebrates the Fourth with the 120th Fighter Wing F-15C fly-by and the unfurling of an enormous flag on loan to the community by HHC 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from Kalispell. Meet at the school on Seventh Street by 11:30 a.m. Refreshments will be available.

At 6 p.m., the celebration continues with Big Arm’s annual boat parade, starting from the old RV park at mile marker 76, as well as Dream Island. The two fleets will meet in the center of Big Arm Bay. Bring your boat or cheer them on from the shore.

For more information call 849-6628 or Tom at 883-8308.

POLSON

Polson’s Fourth of July Parade begin at noon at Cherry Valley Elementary School on the corner of Main Street and Eighth Avenue. The route will head down Main Street, turning right on Third Avenue West, in front of Polson Hallmark. 

The parade will be kicked off with a fly-over by the two F-15C fighter planes from Great Falls. One pilot is Polson native Clay Bird.

After the parade there will be an ice cream social at the Polson Flathead Historical Museum at 708 Main Street. Donations will be accepted. 

Prior to the parade, there will be a 1-kilometer run starting at 11:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center. Wear red, white and blue. The first  family to finish gets free ice cream cones from the Cove.

View the night’s pyrotechnics display from the fairgrounds or Riverside Park — but plan to get there early to stake your spot.

EUREKA

Indian Springs Ranch presents the Fourth of July Blues and Barbecue.

Bring your family and lawn chairs and enjoy an outdoor concert featuring local Flathead talent, the Kenny James Miller Band.

The barbecue starts at 6 p.m. and costs $8 per person, $5 for 12 and under; and is free for little ones. There will be a beer garden and whole hog barbecue sandwiches, plus a hot dog bar.

Play games such as horseshoes, ladder ball and bocce ball for a chance to win prizes.

Admission is free for the concert from 8 to 10 p.m. which culminates with a fireworks finale.

Indian Springs Ranch is 2 miles north of Eureka on U.S. 93.

For more information, contact Christine Stevens at 406-889-8104; email cstevens@indianspringsmontana.com or go online to www.indianspringsmontana.com

TROY

Troy’s old-fashioned Fourth of July festivities begin with an arts and crafts and food fair at 9 a.m. at the Babe Ruth ballfield. Grab some breakfast at the Roosevelt Park Cook Shack and head to the parade at 11 a.m. along U.S. 2.

The F-15C fighter planes from Great Falls will fly over at 11:30 a.m.

Live music starts at noon and continues until midnight.

Troy’s Tender Lovin’ Quilters host a quilt show at the Morrison School gym from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A car show and shine is from noon to 3 p.m.

Children’s games will be played on the field starting at 2 p.m.

A fireworks finale, billed as the biggest in the region, starts at about 11 p.m.

WHITEFISH

Whitefish rocks the Fourth with Freedom Fest 2012 at the Great Northern Veterans Peace Park.

Live music featuring the Montana Band, Moonshine Mountain and House of Quist will be from 5 to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Food and drinks will be for sale. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and watch the fireworks parkside.

Parking is available at Idaho Timber at 75 Karrow Ave. For more details, call 862-3501.

The fireworks show starts at dusk on Whitefish Lake across from City Beach. Music and food will be available on the beach throughout the day.

POLEBRIDGE

The Polebridge Mercantile is at the heart of the North Fork’s Fourth of July happenings.

The annual no-theme parade begins at noon — or thereabouts. Everyone is encouraged to join in the wacky do-your-own thing parade.

There also will be a pig roast at the Northern Lights Saloon at noon, live music throughout the day and sand volleyball to play.

Call 888-5105 for more details.