A spirited skirmish between the Redcoats and Minute Men preceded Polson’s Fourth of July parade, and once again, the ragtag militia forced the British to surrender.

That set the stage on a packed Main Street for the parade at noon Saturday, which boasted nearly 75 entries – a significant increase from the usual 50, no doubt sparked the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

“We started the battle five years ago to help prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary and hope to continue the tradition each year if the Polson community keeps participating,” said Matt Lee, who helps orchestrate the re-enactment on behalf of the VFW.

This year’s Revolutionary War battle featured 37 Minute Men and 30 Redcoats, including three drummers, two carrying flags, and another half-dozen volunteers working behind the scenes. The Raven Hall Motorcycle Riding Club has formed the foundation of the Redcoat forces since the event began. “Without their support, the reenactment would not have lasted five years,” Lee says.

Volunteers of all ages arrive at 10:30 a.m. July 4, are fitted with costumes, receive a quick briefing, and head into battle at around 11:30. The first few years, organizers attempted to depict the historic Battles of Lexington and Concord with two skirmishes, but said it proved “too confusing for spectators” so the program was simplified to one.

Obstacles remain, however. Participants in the pre-parade 5k struggled to navigate the route through the reenactment; crowd noise drowned out the narration; and the smoke grenades were “duds.”

Next year, organizers plan to clearly define the runners' route with orange flagging tape on both sides, use a microphone and deploy “a reliable smoke machine.”

Still, Lee was pleased with the production, and “the strong community support.”

“By teaching our children the foundational principles of our nation’s founding, we ensure a bright future,” he said. “If we forget how we got here, we risk losing the republic.”

    Triumphant Minute Men lead their captive and disarmed Redcoats down Main Street July 4 to a cheering crowd of bystanders. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

 General George Washington (or we think this is him) crossed the ice-choked Delaware River on the night of Dec. 25–26, 1776. He was attempting to navigate a similarly congested river during Saturday's parade in Polson, this time clogged with people celebrating Independence Day. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

    Handsome Live Oak Belgians from St. Ignatius drew a wagon down Main Street during Polson's annual Fourth of July parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

 Well-dressed parade watcher admires the nearly 75 floats in Polson's parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

 Elvis was spied in Polson Saturday, where he put in a surprise appearance for the Fourth of July parade. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)