Who doesn’t love the Montana sky!? We ended up in Bigfork for the 4th of July weekend and it was a wonderful experience. We got into town for the 4th of July parade and what an experience! I would have never imagined that Bigfork, Montana would be one of the most patriotic places I have ever witnessed!
Downtown Bigfork, Montana during their 4th of July parade.
Clay and I arrived in Bigfork around 9 am and it seemed to be another normal, little town on the morning before the 4th of July. More traffic that normal, parade line up and hustle and bustle of people in red, white and blue. We parked the car and made our way to the parade route. It seemed quiet and we turned the bend and their were chairs lined all the way down the sidewalk. We then came to another bend and found ourselves right next to the lake that had private housing and a bay, a little beautiful little walk. Still not many people were milling around just yet. We turned the last corner which took us down to downtown Bigfork. It had the cutest little shops and friendly faces greeted us. We wandered thru the shops and soon found that this was a much bigger deal than we were anticipated and we waited anxiously for noon to roll around. People kept coming down the hill! We both just kept saying, “This is unreal!”
People begin to line up and find their perch for the parade. Parade starts at noon, photo taken at 10:30 AM.
The parade began and we slid past people with the camera and Go Pro in hand. Clay and I were both shocked at the turn out! This was the most patriotic town I have ever seen. Before the parade turned the corner to downtown, it stopped and the National Anthem was sung over a loud speaker. I had the goose bumps as those around me lifted their voices loud and proud! Children stood quiet with their hands over their hearts and looked around at those singing around them. I thought, this is what it’s all about.
We moved down towards the last turn of the parade and snagged some photos of the fire trucks. They literally had to move people back out of the way to the trucks could make the corner, people EVERYWHERE! We decided to head back up the hill to catch the PRCA Stock Contractor New West Rodeo under the rodeo banner. Before long, we got the call to jump in the back of the pick up. People were cheering and excited to be celebrating America’s birthday!
Headed down the Main Street Bigfork.
Honestly, if you’ve never been to Bigfork, Montana I would highly recommend putting this on your 4th of July bucket list. It’s not a far drive to Glacier National Park and right on Flathead Lake with some great public access areas to enjoy the clear water! All we could say about our experience was INSANE and we couldn’t stop smiling!