Marathons, parades, fireworks: 4th of July, the Idaho way
- posted: 03 July 2007
- scrolllifestyle@byui.edu
Many celebrations of freedom are happening in and around Rexburg on the Fourth of July.
The morning starts off with 5K runs in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. Rexburg’s Liberty 5K Run starts at the Nature Park at 8 a.m. Runners can sign up for the Liberty 5K is City Hall or at www.runwizard.com.
The Firecracker 5K Run in Idaho Falls starts at the Tautphaus Park Zoo at 8 a.m. The proceeds benefit the EICAP Medical Contingency fund. The details and registration forms for the run are available at www.ifsurg.com.
Following the 5k runs in Rexburg and Idaho Falls are parades in both cities. The annual Whoopee Days Parade in Rexburg starts at 10 a.m. at Smith Park and goes down Main Street to Porter Park.
The Idaho Falls Liberty Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and goes to 11:30 a.m. The parade runs from the Civic Auditorium parking lot to Rogers Street.
“The parade in Idaho Falls is one of my favorite things to go to on the Fourth. The high schools and churches enter floats into the parade. It’s definitely worth it to go,” said Krissa Tew, a junior from Sacramento, Calif.
The events in Idaho Falls do not end with the Liberty Parade. Following the parade is the Liberty Festival on the Falls, starting at 11 a.m. and going to 10 p.m., on Memorial Drive. The festival includes vendors, a car show, rides and live music.
“Families usually make a whole day out of all the festivities that happen in Idaho Falls because there is just so much going on,” Tew said.
When the sun goes down in Idaho, the fireworks abound.
The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration Fireworks Show starts at approximately 10 p.m. along the greenbelt in Idaho Falls. The show has patriotic music to coincide with it, which can be heard on KLCE 97.3 FM.
“The firework show that happens in Idaho Falls every year is pretty sweet,” said Samuel Miller, a sophomore from Chicago.
Some students are considering staying in Rexburg and spending the day off from school relaxing, having barbeques and then setting off fireworks at night.
“I’m probably just going to stay in Rexburg and set off fireworks. During the day I’ll probably take a nap. There isn’t really much happening during the day, so I’ll just relax and get ready for the night,” said Samuel Weller, a freshman from Silverdale, Wash. 
