Fourth of July credits,
parade winners

by Nancy Miller

The focus of this article is on ALL the folks who brought the Seeley Lake 4th of July celebration to community residents, summer residents, everyone's visitors and to Seeley Lake area tourists. It's wonderful to know so many people who volunteered their time, energy and expertise to make a big event like the 4th of July Celebration happen. There were very visible people working on the 4th of July like Cheri Thompson, President of the Chamber; then there are people "behind the scenes" like Gerry Connell, who did the spectacular fireworks show and Kim Haines, Seeley-Swan High School principal, who invited the Missoula All City Band and made their appearance possible. Even in the rain, the show must go on - and on the parade went. The weather in the first part of the day was not very cooperative, but it's been sunny and hot ever since!

The Board of Directors and I want to thank the following people for making the 4th of July a fun and exciting day in Seeley Lake. If you are not mentioned on this list, please accept my apologies, and know that your help is appreciated.

Additional Fireworks Sponsors - Horseshoe Hills, 911 crew, Glenn Bliss, Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Dept., Wilderness Gateway Inn.

Addrien Marx - decorated Chamber building

Ann Sanders - graciously offered her lawn to F.S. Northern Region pack Team

Blackfoot Telephone Coop - donated to parade awards

Cindy Torok - Grand Marshall signs, parade posters, 4th of July poster drawing

Clearwater Guest Ranch - free wagon rides after the parade

Cheri Thompson - 4th of July Celebration coordinator

First Valley Bank - Chamber branch office (copies & faxes)

Gerry & Gene Connell - spectacular fireworks show

Gary Guse - regional press releases

George Wolfe - welcomed parade horses into his pasture.

Charlene's & Seeley Veterinarians - field for YMCA kid games

Grand Marshall Float - Cheri & Steve Thompson - provided flatbed; Mitch Dupree - pulled float; Jamie Jonkel - the official Game Range 50th Anniversary sign; Joe Bender, High Basin Sports - deer & elk mission; Larry Marx - pickup RMEF gull-wing display; Martin Cahoon - deer; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - gull-wing display; Shirley Overman - game range critters (& Winterfest snowman).

Kim Haines - brought us Missoula All City Marching Band

Law Enforcement - Ron Ogden, Federal Marshal, U.S.F.S.; Missoula County Sheriff's Dept.; Montana Highway Patrol.

Lindey's Landing - welcomed all to view fireworks on lakefront lawn

Missoula All City Band - sounded great & thanks for marching!

Seeley Songbirds - sung patriotic songs

Parade Judges/Announcer Stand - Filling Station - tables & chairs; Kerry Drew - flat bed; Leon Martin - coordinator; Mike Casel - set up, decorated & took down; Tom Larson - PA system.

Parade Crew - Glen, Mary Ann & Sheri Morin, Chuck Williamson, Cindy Torok, Dean Peasley, George Frasca, Jim Hauder, Keith Peterson, Morris Nyquist, Paul Miller, Sally Johnson, Scott Edwards, Steve Thompson

Parade Judges - George Wolfe, Gloria Wilson, Judy Richards, Sam Bolton

Parade Participants - all 35 entries.

Parade Spectators - all who came out on a rainy day!

Pat Holt - parade announcer

Penny Carter - tracked fireworks shots - before, during & after

Pepsi - Bill Sheppard - donated 4th of July poster, All Sport & Country Time for kids games, parade numbers

Pyramid Mountain Lumber - donated lumber used for shooting off fireworks

Rhonda Malecha - photographed events for the Chamber

Scott Newell - bull horn

Seeley Lake Elementary - paint

Seeley-Swan High School Band Members - Noah Madinger, Staci Morris, Tim Adams

Smokey Bear - always enjoy your appearances!

Winterfest float - First Valley Bank/Gary Miller - pulled float; Jet & Tex Hunter - sled dogs; Kim Hunter - musher; Norman Lee - dog sled; Seeley Lake Fun Center - provided trailer, snowmobile, snowshoes, skis; Winter Recreationalists - Alycia Miller, Lindsey Richards, Heather Bezanson, Kelcee Coughlin, Jack Miller

U.S. Forest Service Northern Region Mule Pack Team - looked great & thanks for coming!

YMCA Seeley-Swan Outreach - fun kids games

Thank you all. The community spirit you have shown is admirable!

Parade Winners

Animals, Groups - 1st place - Pam & Kristy Pohlman & horses; 2nd place - Bob Holverson and Mark Pengalli, Forest Service pack train

Animals, Individual - 1st place - Kristina O'Neill - bay quarter horse; 2nd place - Mark Payton - mule & wagon

Classic Vehicles - 1st place - Brian Brock - 1957 Thunderbird; 2nd place - Clyde Bakker - 1930 Ford Roadster

Antique Vehicles - 1st place - Doug Winz - 1929 Model A Tudor Sedan; 2nd place - Mike Lindemer - 1925 Model T

Group or Organization - 1st place - Trailblazer 4-H Club; 2nd place - Western Montana Shrine Club Midget patrol

Business - 1st place - Wild Horse Saloon - bar stool; 2nd place - Wild Horse Saloon - float; 3rd place - Clearwater Guest Ranch - Percheron hitch and wagon

Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Cheri Thompson, President, NAPA: Kevin Wetherell, Vice President, Clearwater River Realty; Gary Miller, Treasurer/Secretary, First Valley Bank; Directors - Jane Fisher, Center at Salmon Lake; Gary Guse, Seeley Lake Fun Center; Leon Martin, Filling Station Restaurant, Bar, Casino and RV Park; Pat Holt, Montana Pines Hideaway; Tim Love, U.S. Forest Service; Ed Bezanson, Double Arrow Resort.