Crowd estimated at 800 to 1,000 for Charlo's parade
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO
Members of the Northwest Counties Farm Bureau appear to be growing a whole lot of little farmers, as evidenced by their float in last Friday's Charlo parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Grand Marshalls Sandy and Curt Coulter enjoyed a deluxe cruise through Charlo last Friday as part of the Fourth of July parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Indigenous Barbie and Ken cruised through Charlo during the Fourth of July parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Grandma rescued a treat for her two star-spangled granddaughters during Charlo's parade. Fortunately, it travels through town twice, doubling kids' opportunities to collect loot. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Stuart Hometown Auto of St. Ignatius drifted through Charlo last Friday aboard a boat proclaiming "Thank you for keeping us afloat." (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Bonnie Clark piloted a John Deere H tractor through Charlo Friday on behalf of B & D's Bounty Parts. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | July 10, 2025 12:00 AM
The population of Charlo more than doubled July 4, when organizers estimate that 800 to 1,000 people lined Hwy. 212 for the annual Fourth of July parade, which travels through town twice. Curt and Sandy Coulter, longtime proprietors of Coulter Automotive, were this year's grand marshalls.
The community’s agricultural leanings were on full display with the Northwest Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers float taking top honors.
Tractors were also plentiful, with Coleman Farms’ giant John Deere claiming first place in that category, while Ronnie Swope of B & D's Bounty Parts took second. Two groups of horses trotted through town, and their riders each received gift coupons.
The Indigenous Barbie and Ken took second place in the float category; and Second Chance Saloon was named “Most Enthusiastic” for its float promoting a Fourth celebration in the Ronan City Park, featuring music, games and a fireworks display.
The Charlo Fire Department’s barrel train, tugging 15 youngsters, was named “Most Enthusiastic Child”; each of the future firefighters received a coupon for ice-cream and a hamburger.
Bret Stanfield and his dog, Ollie, took first place in the motorcycle category.
Parade organizers Lauren and Brandon Jenson, who own the Coffee Corral, also helped sponsor a block party at the school grounds that afternoon. According to Lauren, about 100 people showed up to dance, play games and visit vendor booths.
Her husband, Brandon, won the inaugural hot-dog eating contest, and promptly gave the prizes to two high school students who took second and third.
“We were very happy with the turnout and excited for next year,” she said of both the parade and after-party.
Grand Marshalls Sandy and Curt Coulter enjoyed a deluxe cruise through Charlo last Friday as part of the Fourth of July parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Indigenous Barbie and Ken cruised through Charlo during the Fourth of July parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Grandma rescued a treat for her two star-spangled granddaughters during Charlo's parade. Fortunately, it travels through town twice, doubling kids' opportunities to collect loot. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Stuart Hometown Auto of St. Ignatius drifted through Charlo last Friday aboard a boat proclaiming "Thank you for keeping us afloat." (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Bonnie Clark piloted a John Deere H tractor through Charlo Friday on behalf of B & D's Bounty Parts. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)ARTICLES BY KRISTI NIEMEYER
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