By Ken Francis

Staff Writer 

 

It’s almost time for the Clearwater Heritage Days, the biggest citywide event of the year.

This year’s celebration is Aug. 3 & 4, and this time around will be a little different than last year.

Most of Friday’s  schedule is the same. The action begins with the Kiddie Parade at 4:30 p.m. Kids have traditionally worn costumes for the march, which starts near the old Coborn’s and continues to Dairy Queen.

Once the Kiddie Parade is over, Family Fun night begins with activities like rock climbing, facepainting, the bungee trampoline and inflatables for kids.

The traditional Lions dinner starts at 5 p.m. with all-you-can-eat corn on the cob, brats, chips, fixins and beverages. The Lions beer gardens is in close proximity for those who like a different type of refreshment.

Long-time caller Abe Meier will lead the squaredancers as the wind and whirl to the music.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. with dozens of floats form local and regional organizations, vehicles, marchers and entertainment. It is always lead by the Clearwater Color Guard. Hundreds of people gather at the sidelines to watch, and sometimes gather candy and treats thrown by parade participants.

Following the parade is the Clearwater Ambassador Coronation. Last year there weren’t enough candidates to have a coronation. But there are this year, with  at least a few in each category of Little Miss Clearwater, Junior Miss Clearwater and Miss Clearwater.

The local royalty will be joined by visiting royalty for the ceremony.

All throughout the day, the Clearwater Area Friends of the Library will have an outside booth for its book sale, with proceeds going to support the Clearwater branch.

There’s DJ music all night. The action  ends with fireworks at dusk.

There is no softball tournament or 5k run on Saturday this year.

Saturday’s action begins with the Rendezvous historical reenactors at Riverside Park. They’ll show how early settlers in the area lived, with a blacksmith, woodworkers, archers and more. 

The flea market and craft sale, which didn’t take place last year, has been revived again with more direct sales groups and people selling their items. That starts at 9 a.m. at the Clearwater Shopping Plaza.

The Clearwater Fire Dept. is holding its open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire hall. It’s a fun time for kids, who get to use a fire hose, try on fire gear, take a ride on a fire truck and watch firefighters put out a car fire.

Clearwater Corners is holding a beanbag tournament starting at 1 p.m. Lots of fun and cheer always.

And new this year, the Clearwater Legion Riders are holding a homeless veteran fundraiser, with a pork chop dinner, silent auction and street dance from 4 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. at the Legion.

The entire Heritage Days celebration is made possible by volunteers, local business and organizations, with the Clearwater Lions the main sponsor.

“It’s just a nice fun party, building the community and keeping up the tradition,” says Mayor Pete Edmonson.