SANDPOINT — In 1953, the Sandpoint Lions Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community, helped establish City Beach. In the years since, the organization has remained committed to giving back by hosting an annual Fourth of July celebration for the community. 

Community members gather to see floats at the club’s two parades, enjoy food and activities at City Beach, and watch a firework show at the end of the night. 

This year is going to follow that same pattern, said Radar. 

As the nation marks 250 years of independence, Radar says that more food vendors and activities at City Beach are expected.  

Caution tape for the children's parade will be lowered at 9:30 a.m., and any child can walk the parade for free upon arrival. The route for the kids’ parade will begin at Fifth and Church and end at the Bonner General Hospital parking lot. 

“We usually have between 100 and 300 kids on bikes, and parents walking with them, parents pushing strollers, kids walking, kids being pulled in wagons,” said Radar. 

The grand parade will start at 10 a.m., promptly after the children’s parade is finished. 

“The police start the parade with a fire truck, and then we have military color guard usually provided by the Marine Corps,” said Radar, adding that any active military members are given an opportunity to be up front in the parade. 

After the grand parade, individuals can make their way to a community carnival being held at City Beach at noon, where they can participate in games, rides, and choose where to eat from the various food vendors that will be provided. 

A raffle will also be held at the carnival, with this year’s first prize being a wood stove, and a quart of firewood donated to the event by All About Chimneys. The event will end with a firework show over City Beach.  

Radar said the club finds joy in being able to make the holidays special for the community. 

“It is so fun and so enjoyable to see the look on people’s faces, from the kid’s riding through the kid’s parade, to the kids' getting gifts at Christmas,” she said. 

“I think everybody that has joined the Lions Club feels a connection to this community,” said Radar. “It seems like every one of our members, at one point in time, has struggled in their life and needed that kind of resource to make it through the holidays.” 

Radar is no exception. She found the Lions Club when she was going through a divorce and needed help with her kids for Christmas one year. 

Since then, she has paid it forward by becoming a Lions Club member herself. 

“It's a huge honor to respect our country and be able to be there and show our support for everything that’s going on,” she said.