BLOOMING PRAIRIE – If you’re itchin’ for a fight, travel to Blooming Prairie on Independence Day and say to someone, "So what’s so special about your celebration?".

Thursday, June 29, 2000

BLOOMING PRAIRIE – If you’re itchin’ for a fight, travel to Blooming Prairie on Independence Day and say to someone, "So what’s so special about your celebration?"

Every man, woman and child in Blooming Prairie claims their Independence Day celebration is the best.

And, they can back it up.

Crowds of 35,000 to 40,000 people attend the parade each year. That’s more people than attend Austin’s twin celebrations of SPAM Jam and SPAMTOWN USA Festival, plus the city of Lyle’s celebration.

This year, Blooming Prairie will celebrate America’s Independence Day Monday and Tuesday.

Sponsored by the Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce, the celebration is an opportunity to have fun and show-off the community’s assets and local businesses and organizations.

Everyone is welcome and there is no admission to any of the events, but it helps to wear an official commemorative July 4th button, being sold for $2 each.

BP Bucks are awarded the lucky owners of seven buttons with the numbers drawn July 5.

So, when does one begin to celebrate Independence Day in Blooming Prairie? Try the day before the historic holiday.

An antique tractor pull kicks off the celebration Monday with weigh-in at 2:30 p.m. at Victory Field.

By 4 p.m. Monday, concessions stands, games and activities will get underway in City Park as well as entertainment by the Just For Kix dancers and middle eastern dancing by Rak Sharqui.

Monday’s schedule concludes with a downtown street dance featuring the music of Rainbow, 8 p.m. to midnight plus a teen dance at the Servicemen’s Club, 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

When Tuesday, Independence Day arrives, grab the lawn chairs, fill the cooler and get to Blooming Prairie early.

There will be activities at Victory Field, City Park and elsewhere throughout the day.

New this year are hot air balloon rides, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather-permitting, plus the iron man obstacle challenge south of Blooming Prairie High School, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Los Amigos will provide mariachi music 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Laverne’s Concertina Old-time Dance band will entertain 1 to 2 p.m. Both will perform at the gazebo in City Park.

Then, splash on the sun screen and get comfortable at curbside for southern Minnesota’s largest Independence Day parade.

Over 200 units participate, making the 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday time-slot a magnet for thousands of visitors to Blooming Prairie.

In fact, more parade units are welcome. Call 507-583-7297 to enter.

After the parade, another new event takes place: the couch potato races at 4:30 p.m. in City Park.

There will be more music, a patriotic sing-a-long, Jim Jayes family entertainment, music 8 p.m. until dusk by the Illuminators at Victory Field and a raffle at the Servicemen’s Club at 8 p.m.

When 10 p.m. Tuesday arrives, all eyes will be skyward over Victory Field where the biggest fireworks display in the town with the biggest Independence Day parade offers the biggest opportunity for the best way to conclude Independence Day.

For more information about the events, call 507-583-4472 or 583-7297.