Flags, fly-ins and fireworks: Sanders County marks America's 250th
TRACY SCOTT Valley Press | Valley Press-Mineral Independent | UPDATED 3 days, 5 hours AGO
Sanders County Fairgrounds showed its patriotic colors during the Fourth of July Fireworks display provided by the Plains City Volunteer Fire Department. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Veteran Randy Evans shows his respect to the American Flag as it is raised for the first time at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
The American Flag flies for the first time on a new flag pole in front of the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Paul Nowatka was one of eight readers of the Declaration of Independence during the VFW Post 3596 Fourth of July picnic celebration at Fred Young Park in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Veteran Keven Robins and Paradise President Dave Colyer in the new veterans exhibit at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Local physician Barb Steward with her 9-month-old daughter Rydley Bache looking over a 1941 biplane owned by Tom Gummer from Kalispell during the Plains Fly-In. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Coast Guard veteran Ed Moreth performs a ribbon cutting for a new veterans display room at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Civil and Revolutionary War reenactors from Thompson Falls, from left, Jeff Rath, Rebecca Rath, Troy Awmiller, Max Awmiller, Wes Sink and Theresa Sink at the VFW Picnic Fred Young Park. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Bobbi Oberst shakes hands with veteran Randy Evans, with veteran Greg Davis holding the American Flag in preparation to raise it for the first time at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Tracy Scott
Communities across Sanders County celebrated the nation's 250th anniversary over the Fourth of July weekend with fireworks displays, picnics, dances, concerts and patriotic ceremonies.
In Plains, the festivities began with a free pancake and ham breakfast sponsored by the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District and the Plains Airport. The breakfast was staffed by volunteer firefighters from the district and drew a large crowd.
Fire Chief James Russell said approximately 300 people attended the breakfast this year.
"This is the seventh year we have sponsored the event," Russell said.
Many of those attending the breakfast also rode a shuttle to the Plains Airport Fly-In. The shuttle itself was a local attraction — a restored 1939 Ford fire engine.
Twenty-five aircraft participated in the fly-in. Among them was a fully restored 1941 biplane owned by Tom Gummer, a graduate of Thompson Falls High School. This marked Gummer's second year attending the Plains Airport Fly-In. Pilots traveled from communities including Missoula, Great Falls and Kalispell to take part in the event.
New features at the airport this year included a terminal building completed in 2025 and a new aircraft fueling system. Both projects were funded through Federal Aviation Administration grants. The current airfield was built in 2006.
The next stop on the day's schedule was the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence and free lunch hosted by Horse Plains VFW Post 3596 at Fred Young Park in Plains. Eight individuals shared in reading portions of the historic document.
A unique addition to the ceremony was an 1861 replica 3-inch Ordnance Rifled Cannon owned by Thompson Falls resident Wes Sink. Joining Sink were family members Jeff Rath, Rebecca Rath, Troy Awmiller, Max Awmiller, and Theresa Sink. Dressed in Civil War and Revolutionary War-era uniforms, the family has traveled throughout the
country participating in historical reenactments, including events in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Family members said traveling to Gettysburg was especially meaningful because their ancestors fought in the historic July 3, 1863, battle there.
In Paradise, festivities shifted to the recently installed Paradise Center flagpole, where residents gathered to witness the raising of the first flag to fly on it. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new veterans exhibit also took place at the Paradise Center.
Funding for the flagpole was donated by Bill and Gladys Parrish and by Trudi and Bobbi Jean Oberst.
The dedication ceremony was led by Keven Robins, chaplain of American Legion Post 52 in Thompson Falls.
"We are gathered here today not just to raise a piece of fabric, but to dedicate a monument to our shared values," Robins said. "This flagpole stands as a tribute to Paradise, Montana, the brave men and women who have served our country, and our community's commitment to unity. Whenever we look up, this flag will remind us of the sacrifices made to secure our freedoms and the enduring spirit of our nation."
Retired U.S. Coast Guard veteran Ed Moreth performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the veterans exhibit. Moreth, a longtime supporter of the Paradise Center, also donated several artifacts now featured in the display.
Paradise continued its Fourth of July celebration with a community potluck at Paradise Community Park, followed by a concert by Tanner Laws on the former depot grounds and an evening fireworks display.
The holiday events throughout Sanders County brought residents and visitors together to celebrate both Independence Day and the nation's 250th anniversary, honoring the community's patriotism, history and enduring spirit.
Veteran Randy Evans shows his respect to the American Flag as it is raised for the first time at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
The American Flag flies for the first time on a new flag pole in front of the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Paul Nowatka was one of eight readers of the Declaration of Independence during the VFW Post 3596 Fourth of July picnic celebration at Fred Young Park in Plains. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Veteran Keven Robins and Paradise President Dave Colyer in the new veterans exhibit at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Local physician Barb Steward with her 9-month-old daughter Rydley Bache looking over a 1941 biplane owned by Tom Gummer from Kalispell during the Plains Fly-In. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Coast Guard veteran Ed Moreth performs a ribbon cutting for a new veterans display room at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Civil and Revolutionary War reenactors from Thompson Falls, from left, Jeff Rath, Rebecca Rath, Troy Awmiller, Max Awmiller, Wes Sink and Theresa Sink at the VFW Picnic Fred Young Park. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott
Bobbi Oberst shakes hands with veteran Randy Evans, with veteran Greg Davis holding the American Flag in preparation to raise it for the first time at the Paradise Center. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)Tracy Scott