Troy prepares for annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration
A child watches fire works from the shoulders of an elder on their walk home from Troy's Old Fashioned 4th of July event. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
For anyone who was tired of waiting for the temperatures to increase and the rain to stop, they have their wish now, and it’s just in time for the July 4 holiday weekend.
Troy’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July on Monday at Roosevelt Park on the Kootenai River is the highlight as up to 6,000 people are expected to attend.
The celebration, more than 100 years old, will include the traditional fireworks display, parade and car show.
Admission is free for this 100% volunteer-run, family-friendly event hosted by the Troy Chamber of Commerce and the City of Troy in beautiful Roosevelt Park.
There will be bus service after the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Pickup and drop-off will be at Morrison Elementary School, Troy High School, Troy Activity Center and Roosevelt Park.
There will be food booths, a beer garden, vendors, artists and information booths. There will also be a variety of musicians performing live music throughout the day.
Roosevelt City Park is located along the Kootenai River near the Troy Bridge. Visitors must cross the BNSF railroad tracks at the only crossing in downtown Troy to get to the park. The park offers a boat launch, picnic areas, soccer fields, pavilion, two baseball fields, children’s fishing pond, walking path, basketball court, playground, concession stand (for event use), bathrooms, water play area, skate park and a yurt on the river bank. Many residents use the park for daily recreation, including walks, picnics and fishing.
Organizers, for safety at the event, are requiring that no one bring dogs, bicycles, personal fireworks, alcohol from outside the park or skateboards.
At 7 p.m. at the City Park, Jay Snow and Tonekeepers will perform followed by a fireworks display at 11 p.m.
Here is a schedule of events:
• Information Booth: open 9 a.m.-11 p.m. (T-shirt sales, area information)
• Troy PTA 5K Color Run/Walk: registration begins at 8 a.m. at Troy High School, run begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Old fashioned breakfast at Roosevelt Park concession stand: 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Art/craft show: all day until 7 p.m.
• Food booths: 9 a.m., open all day
• Beer booth: all day
• Parade: 11 a.m. in downtown Troy (participant line-up at 10 a.m.)
• Folf Tournament: after parade
• Cruisers Car Show: noon-3 p.m.