America is celebrating its 234th birthday today.
July 4th celebrations still expected to continue in International Falls despite a rainy morning.
Most events will take place at Smokey Bear Park.
Mayor Bob Anderson says this year is also the 65th anniversary for the statue at the park.
Anderson says it was erected by a local chapter of Keep Minnesota Green.
“There had been a number of forest fires in the ’30s and ’40s and they felt it a good reminder of the need of the forests for businesses and industry in the County was to to put up a statue,” says Anderson.
Anderson says development of the park, which has now become a focal point for International Falls, would take place sometime later.
Today’s events kick off with the Broncos 5K Run and Walk and a kid’s event at the Falls High School track.
Booths and other activities at the park will open at 11 a.m.
The July 4th parade through the downtown area begins at 1 p.m. with a kiddie parade happening just before that at 12:30 p.m.
The day will be capped with a firework display to be lit from the Falls High School track at around 10:15 p.m.
