AREA FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES PLANNED

    Residents and visitors in Journal Country are gearing up for a week packed with festivities, promising something for everyone to enjoy.
    This Saturday, June 29, Claremont is the place to be, starting with a community lunch at 11 a.m. hosted at the firehall. Following this, the town will come alive with a porch crawl and poker run kicking off at 1 p.m. Participants are encouraged to join in using any mode of transport they prefer - whether ATV, UTV, golf cart, mower, or vehicle. Registration for the poker run begins at City Hall at 12:30 p.m.
    At 5 p.m., the town will gather for the parade, with line up also starting at City Hall. Directly after the parade, around 6 p.m., locals and visitors alike are invited to a potluck supper at the park concession area. As darkness falls, the highlight of the day will be the much-anticipated fireworks show.
    Meanwhile, over in Lake City, festivities are set for Thursday, July 4th, with a parade scheduled for 10 a.m. Following the parade, the Lutheran Church women will host a lunch at their new Fellowship Hall. Additionally, Lake City Municipal promises all-day specials, complemented by live music from Darren Beyer starting at 11 a.m., ensuring a festive atmosphere throughout the day. Lizzie Hofer will play Friday night.
    Looking ahead to the following weekend, the Clear Lake Betterment Association has planned an exciting Boat Parade for Saturday, July 6, starting at 1 p.m. The parade will commence on the south side near Ivory Tower Bay, with participants required to check in at the pontoon with the CLBA banner at 12:30 p.m. Boats will travel counterclockwise around the lake, vying for cash prizes for the best displays. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be postponed to July 7th.
    Stop by Fort Sisseton for an old fashion carnival in celebration of the 4th of July. The carnival is Saturday, July 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be fun carnival games, homemade ice cream, exploration of the Fort and much more. This is a family friendly event. A South Dakota park entrance license is required on all vehicles entering the park.