Lake County communities are gearing up for Fourth festivities, which promise parades and fireworks from Arlee to Polson.

Arlee: The 76th annual parade departs at noon July 4 from Arlee High School and is preceded by the annual Fireman's Pancake Feed. This year’s parade theme is “Home of the Free Because of the Brave”; registration is in the high school entryway. Trophies will be awarded afterwards at the Arlee Jocko Valley Museum, which is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes host the annual Arlee Celebration through July 6 at the Powwow Grounds. Highlights include the Snake Dance at 7 p.m. Friday, and Grand Entries at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Charlo: The parade strikes out at noon and will be led by the Marine Corps Honor Guard. Longtime business owners and stalwart community members Sandy and Curt Coulter are grand marshalls.  This year’s theme is “United We Stand.”

New this year is a block party from 3-7 p.m. on the Charlo school grounds, with vendor booths, a dunk tank, DJ and a hot-dog eating contest. Other goodies will be available downtown too.

Polson: A giant fireworks display lights up the lakefront at dusk July 3. The parade travels down Main Street at noon July 4, preceded at 11:50 a.m. by a patriotic skirmish between the British Redcoats and the Polson Minutemen (Redcoat volunteers should arrive at the VFW by 10 a.m., and by 11 a.m. to serve as Minutemen).

Ronan: The community has revived its Fourth of July celebration with festivities in the city park beginning at 4 p.m., music by Shodown from 7-10 p.m., a fireworks display (courtesy of Second Chance Saloon), and more music by Late Night Jukebox.

Fireworks precautions

Local fire officials, who have already responded to at least five fires in the Mission Valley this season – the latest ignited by fireworks – encourage the public to take the following precautions this week:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Instead, consider safe alternatives, such as glow sticks, silly string, popping streamers and confetti cannons.

• Always supervise children, including when using sparklers. Sparklers can cause a serious burn as they reach temperatures of about 2,000 degrees.

• Avoid purchasing fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. This often indicates the devices are made for professional displays, and could pose a danger to consumers.

• Light fireworks one at a time. Don’t twist fuses together as this can become very dangerous.

• Don’t place any part of your body directly over a firework device. Maintain a safe distance after you light fireworks.

• Keep a bucket of water, garden hose or fire extinguisher nearby. These are a safety precaution in case of fire mishaps.

• Never shoot fireworks off in metal or glass containers. Avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket, as well.

• Don’t try to re-light or pick up fireworks that haven’t ignited fully. It could go off while attempting to relight it, causing serious injury.

• Wear hearing protection when participating in firework activities. Fireworks can exceed 150 decibels and cause immediate hearing damage.

• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

As for pets who might be spooked by the noise, owners should keep them indoors and make sure they are microchipped or wearing an ID.