CLARK FORK — The cheers of children echoing in the air as their turtles cross the finish line is just part of what embodies the special feeling of Clark Fork’s annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration.  

Thousands of area residents are expected to join and participate in the city’s festive contests and activities. 

For the 13th year in a row, a fundraising 5K Freedom Fun Run, sponsored by the Filling Station Youth Center, will commence the holiday activity schedule at 7 a.m.  

An estimated 85 runners are expected to participate in the fundraiser.  

Ticket prices for the run vary depending on age — $25 for adults, $15 for students and $15 for family members running with a student. Proceeds of the run fund a scholarship for Clark Fork seniors and help fund the Filling Station Youth Center, a non-profit Christian youth center located in Clark Fork.  

At 9:30 a.m., the annual parade starts on Highway 200 at Stephen Street and travels west to Main, turning north and then into the Clark Fork High School parking lot. This year's parade theme is “united we stand.”  

Following the parade are family foot races in the school yard, a Booster Club food stand, lots of vendors and the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a 4 p.m. raffle drawing.  

At noon, all activities for the remainder of the day will proceed at Memorial Field, where attendees can enjoy a refreshing beverage with hot dogs and chips.  

An airplane drop starting at 1 p.m. will kick off events again, with free coupons and dollar bills falling from the plane towards eager citizens. The famous turtle races and watermelon eating contest will proceed the plane drop, along with a handful of other kiddy activities.  

For adults with a heightened competitive side, a log sawing competition, pole climbing and ax throwing event will take place at 3 p.m.  

The log sawing competition includes big saws, crosscuts and a woman’s open class chainsaw division. The competitions will be Jack and Jill, Jill and Jill, and Jack and Jack.  

After competitions conclude, estimated at 4 p.m., the raffle drawing will occur.  

The raffle, sponsored by the Clark Fork Rod and Gun Club, features items like a KitchenAid mixer, a kayak, a Glock 20 Gen4 10mm, a Black Diamond Wood Splitter and other noteworthy items.  

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Fourth of July celebration or at the Chevron in Clark Fork.

Finishing the night is the community’s traditional fireworks display at dusk.

    The Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration saw many participants of all ages in Clark Fork. Community members participated in the parade, and went head-to-head in a watermelon eating competition, turtle races, ax throwing, and log sawing. The event, sponsored by the Rod and Gun club saw temperatures rise into the high nineties.