Parades, pyrotechnics and a powwow are ahead Thursday as Northwest Montana marks the Fourth of July with a host of holiday events.

Here’s a look at Independence Day events across the region:

KALISPELL

Spectators will line Kalispell’s Main Street as color guards, veterans and youth groups, floats and horse clubs march together in Kalispell’s Fourth of July Parade.

The traditional parade gets underway at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Afterward, stroll over to the Conrad Mansion for an old-fashioned ice cream social. The free event is held on the lawn with donations accepted. Guided tours of the historic mansion will be available throughout the day at regular tour rates.

Woodland Water Park is having a Fourth of July barbecue. Admission to the facility for the day is $3. The barbecue is free.

Looking for a bird’s-eye view of fireworks on the Fourth? 

Head up to Lone Pine State Park southwest of Kalispell. The park will remain open until 11:30 p.m. Thursday. The overlook hill is a great place to see all the fireworks displays, from Bigfork up to Columbia Falls. 

Visitors should bring a flashlight; however, leave your fireworks at home since you cannot discharge them in the park.

The entrance is free for Montana-registered vehicles or $5 for nonresident vehicles.

For further information, contact Amy Grout, park manager, at 755-2706, ext. 3.

WHITEFISH

Fireworks will launch over Whitefish Lake just after dusk Thursday. 

Spectators can spread a blanket or bring lawn chairs to City Beach to enjoy the show. 

Boaters will head out on the lake for the pyrotechnic display.

BIGFORK

Celebrate Independence Day the old-fashioned way with Bigfork’s annual Fourth of July parade at noon on Thursday. Horses, clowns, fire trucks and floats will head down Grand and Electric avenues among throngs of enthusiastic spectators.

This year’s theme is “Happy Birthday, America!”

Get there early. Starting at 11:30 a.m., traffic will not be allowed to turn east off of Montana 35.

There will be a Children's Carnival following the parade and a “Ducks for Bucks” race at 4 p.m. on the Swan River “Wild Mile.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bigfork invites the community to a free pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to the Bigfork Parade.

This is the third year the church has hosted the breakfast. The first year close to 600 attended. Last year 700 people turned out. This year the church has set a goal of 1,000. 

Tables will be set up outside and pancakes, sausage, eggs and orange juice will be served. There will also be an American flag-raising ceremony and live music.

The church is located at 121 Crestview Drive. Everyone is invited.

COLUMBIA FALLS

The Columbia Falls Lions Club is sponsoring a Fourth of July concert “doubleheader” featuring the Ashley Creek Ramblers and two barbershop quartets from the Flathead Valleyaires.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Thursday with the Ashley Creek Ramblers at the Don Lawrence Amphitheater at Marantette Park, 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls.

The Valleyaires perform at  8 p.m. The Kalispell-based men’s barbershop chorus Too Sharp to be Flat, along with quartet Classic Touch, will perform upbeat patriotic tunes and classic a cappella harmonies.

LAKESIDE

Make your way to Lakeside Bay for the annual Fourth of July Boat Parade.      

Staging will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Lakeside Bay directly out from the Docks Restaurant. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. 

The Lucille, a Nordic tug, will lead the parade. Boaters should look for her in the bay and then fall in line. The parade will commence with the blowing of her horn. 

The parade route will head south, ending at Hockaday Bay. The Lucille will then sail the Shelter Island. Those who wish to continue may follow her. 

Show your patriotism by dressing your boat and yourself in red, white and blue.

Lakeside’s Independence Day celebration concludes with a major fireworks show over Flathead Lake. 

Fireworks begin at 11 p.m. The show will be simulcast over 107.3 FM starting at 10:30 p.m.

Those who wish to donate to the fireworks display should contact Rudy at 250-7212.

For more information about Lakeside’s boat parade, call Holly Larson, 270-2317; Bob Betts, 844-2947; Tip Clark, 249-2240; or Bob Lincoln, 253-5014.

POLSON

Polson will celebrate its centennial with a full roundup of activities in celebration of the Fourth of July and Polson’s Centennial.

From 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, there will be a sale of lemonade and homebaked goods at the Polson Chamber. Proceeds will go toward the town’s 2013 fireworks display. 

Get a fast start on your Fourth fun with the Firecracker Fun Run. The 1-mile walk/run starts at 11:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center. More details are at www.polsonrunning.com.

The Polson parade starts at noon. Afterward, the public is invited to an ice cream social at the Polson Historical Museum.

The celebration culminates at 10:30 p.m. with fireworks over the Flathead River.

ARLEE

The Arlee Powwow kicks off Wednesday and continues through the Fourth of July weekend. The powwow is open to the public with free admission. 

Thursday is Old Style Day and will feature Salish/Pend d’Orielle celebration dances, snake dances and war dancing.

Arts, crafts, stick games, dance competitions, Indian and ethnic food will highlight the annual event.

For more information and a schedule, go to www.arleepowwow.com.

POLEBRIDGE

Way up north ... up the North Fork Road out of Columbia Falls, Polebridge puts on its offbeat Fourth of July parade Thursday starting at noon (or thereabouts) in front of the Polebridge Mercantile. 

Everyone is invited to join in and “do their own thing” or sit by the sidelines and spectate with their lawn chairs and a picnic basket. 

The Northern Lights Saloon will have volleyball, live music and barbecue to add to the festivities. 

Call 888-5105 for more details.

EUREKA

The town of Eureka celebrates with its Fourth of July Red, White and Blue Barbecue at the Indian Springs Ranch, 3082 U.S. 93 N.

There will be an 18-hole golf game at 1 p.m., and then a nine-hole golf game at 3 p.m.

Gates open for the family-friendly event at 4 p.m. Admission is free. A full slate of outdoor activities are scheduled, including horseshoes, beach volleyball, croquet, water games and more. 

Hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst and steak dinner will be available at 6 p.m., and a beer garden will be on the grounds.

The O’Connells perform at 6:30 p.m., followed up by Smart Alex at 9:30 p.m. 

A finale fireworks show will begin at dusk.

TROY

Troy boasts the largest fireworks display in Lincoln County. 

The town’s Fourth of July festival kicks off at Roosevelt Park with a breakfast served from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday.

A community worship service begins at 9 a.m. at the Morrison Elementary baseball  field.

The Tender Loving Quilters display their handiwork in the Morrison Elementary gym from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Troy’s parade starts at 11 a.m. Afterward, head to the Cruzer’s Car Show. There will also be food booths, vendors and a beer garden at the park.

Performances of “Snow White” are scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater and live music by a variety of groups is planned throughout the festival. 

The fireworks show begins at 11 p.m.

Bus service will be available after the parade, with bus stops at Morrison Elementary, Troy High School, Troy Activity Center and Roosevelt Park.