Blooming Prairie is known as the little town that goes big for the Fourth of July.

Because Independence Day and the town’s celebration are wrapped into one, Blooming Prairie has a laundry list of events in just two days, July 3 and 4. But like every year, the parade is the granddaddy of them all. Just ask Nick Schiefert.

“The parade, for me, is the very best part of it,” said Nick Schiefert, a chairperson on the celebration committee. “I really enjoy the parade, and also the fireworks. I own the Dairy Queen in town here, and I make a point to close the store here so we can all get down and watch the fireworks.”

But Schiefert isn’t the only one who sees it that way, not by a longshot. Blooming Prairie’s parade, which will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. July 4, draws many spectators from Austin and small, surrounding towns. People flood into the little town of roughly 2,000 people.

“We estimate usually 30,000 or more people come to town for the parade,” Schiefert said.

Blooming Prairie’s parade is scheduled so it will not conflict with Austin’s parade. And there is plenty more to do before and after the parade. Tuesday evening’s festivities include a tractor show, kids’ pedal pull, magic show, teen dance and adult street dance.

Wednesday includes plenty of kids’ games, art in the park, a car show, water wars and performances, all leading up to the parade.

After the parade, a menagerie of musical performances — from dueling pianos to hard rock — will lead up to the fireworks at 10 p.m.