A holiday tradition that attracts thousands of people — Bigfork’s Fourth of July Parade — is ready to roll on Thursday.

“I don’t really know how long we’ve been doing the celebrations,” said Bruce Solberg, executive director of the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce. “It started as a hometown parade and just grew over the years. We’ve just been doing it forever — 30 years or more.”

That small “hometown parade” through the streets of Bigfork has grown over those years. Solberg estimates that several thousand people show up each year.

“There’s no way to really know how many people show up, but it’s probably between 3,000 and 4,000 each year,” he said. “It’s turned into one of the premier, signature events of the year for us.”

That many visitors in a town the size of Bigfork can cause some interesting parking situations, and Solberg said it isn’t uncommon for people to have to walk into town.

“There’s no real official parking, so it’s pretty much just wherever you can find it,” he said. “Anywhere you can find parking is fine; we have people who park from down at Harvest Foods clear to downtown and out on the highways, towards Ferndale and Woods Bay.”

While there are no shuttles or buses, Solberg said that hasn’t stopped anyone in the past from showing up.

“Everyone seems to find a way to get down there for the parade, and some people even seem to enjoy the walk. There’s a real festival atmosphere to the town that day.”

In the past two years, the parade was kicked off by a flyover from an F-15 Eagle, but Solberg said that won’t happen this year.

“We just can’t do it this year, what with all the budget issues,” Solberg said. “It really sent a tingle down your spine, and we’ll miss that, but it’s still going to be a fabulous day in Bigfork.”

The parade begins at noon behind the fire hall and continues on Grand Drive and past the Lakeview Care Center. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, since traffic will not be allowed to turn east off of Montana 35 after 11:30 a.m. and eastbound traffic is only allowed on Commerce Street. Solberg said traffic directors would be placed at the corner between Flathead Bank and Her Alibi Salon.

The parade, an hour-and-a-half-long event, is open to anyone who wants to participate, and Solberg said it can be as much fun to participate in as to watch.

“You don’t need to register to be in the parade, but we do ask that you’re in place no later than 11:40 a.m. so we can get started on time.”

Solberg has been a key player in past parades.

“I’ve been the grand marshal in the past, and it’s a lot of fun,” Solberg said. “This year, Peach and Gary Graeff are the grand marshals, and we’re really excited for that. They’re very involved in the community and we wanted to honor them.”

This year’s theme is “Happy Birthday, America,” and all entries are encouraged to follow a patriotic theme.

“Quite a bit of coordination goes into the parade, and our volunteer coordinator, Kim Jones, has done a phenomenal job. Representatives from the military will lead the parade and there will be lots of floats, and all sorts of different things, from cheerleaders and dance groups to music. The fire trucks will finish the whole thing.”

After the parade, there’s more fun on the way.

Solberg said there will be a Children’s Carnival following the parade. The popular “Ducks for Bucks” race starts at 4 p.m. on the Swan River Wild Mile.

“Basically, you purchase a duck and we put them in the water and net them out when they get to the bay,” Solberg said. “The first three netted out win $100, $200 and $300. The proceeds go to the Bigfork High School scholarship programs, so it’s for a good cause, and it’s fun.”

The Bigfork Fire Department will offer a public barbecue at the fire hall after the parade.

“It should be tasty, and there will be music,” he said. “It’s always a good time.”

Early birds can kick off the day with a Grateful Nation’s Third Annual Freedom 5K Run/Walk event starting at Brookies Cookies in downtown Bigfork. The course follows the Swan River and ends back at Brookies for a celebration and awards.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. Registration is $20 per person with proceeds going toward scholarships for children of Montana veterans killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The first 200 registrants will receive free T-shirts.

To register or for more information, go to www.gratefulnationmontana.com.

Although fireworks are not an official part of the Bigfork celebration, Solberg said they have become a memorable part of the day.

“The residents at the north end of the lake always put on one heck of a fireworks show,” he said. “It’s a private thing, but we all enjoy it. It’s just the residents wanting to have some fun. They all seem to want to outdo each other and that makes for a great show for everyone else. I think it gets bigger each year, and I don’t see them stopping any time in the near future. We sure do appreciate it, though.”

Reporter Melissa Walther may be reached at 758-4474 or by email at mwalther@dailyinterlake.com.