By Jeff Emmer
Reader Staff
The Freedom 5K Fun Run (formerly the Haden’s Heart run) begins a day full of classic Fourth of July events in Clark Fork.
Participants in the Freedom 5K Fun Run feel the burn. Courtesy photo.
Featuring a new name and an even more scenic course, the 5K is put on by the Filling Station Youth Center. The Fun Run generates college scholarships for Clark Fork High School graduates as well as funds to operate the youth center.
This family-oriented event starts at the youth center at First and Main at 7 a.m. and winds its way up the scenic Lightning Creek valley providing some beautiful vistas over the creek.
Participants will be shuttled back to the Filling Station where refreshments and showers will be available to get you prepared for the rest of a fun-filled day. A custom T-shirt and plenty of smiles are included.
Discounts for students and family members participating with students encourage families to run/walk together. Register early at www.fillingstationyouth.com to guarantee T-shirt availability. Registration is also available at the youth center before the race.
If you’ve built up an appetite you can head on over to the Clark Fork Fire Station for a pancake breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m.
The rest of the day is put on by the Clark Fork Rod and Gun Club starting with a delightful and surprisingly large small-town parade at 9:30 a.m. with trophies for the best floats, followed by foot races, food and raffles in the Clark Fork school yard. Enter the drawings for your chance to win a wood splitter, kayak, chain saw and much more.
At noon the action moves up to Memorial Field on Tenth Street, kicking off with an airplane dropping coupons for snacks at the local businesses and maybe even some cash. Then there are turtle races (turtles provided or bring your own), a watermelon-eating contest and other games for young people.
Lumber Jack competitions follow, including pole climbing, fastest cutting chain saw, axe throwing and crosscut saw contests for the older crowd. And of course, what Fourth of July celebration would be complete without a fireworks show at dusk?
The little town of Clark Fork celebrates the holiday like no place else. Come join us and see for yourselves.
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