Area celebrations kick off July 3, 4, 6

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Holiday celebrations will take place July 3, 4, and 6 in New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Cambria, Fort Ridgely State Park and St. Peter.

On Wednesday, July 3, events get underway at Sleepy Eye arena with a hamburger stand sponsored by Sleepy Eye Youth Wrestling at 5:30 p.m. A Jaycee-sponsored beer garden opens at 6 p.m. The Shaw Brothers will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Wednesday night fireworks in New Ulm will again be provided by Dale Mack. Viewers are asked to park in the Cashwise Foods and K-Mart parking lots for the show that begins at 10 p.m.

Fireworks donations are still needed. As of Friday night, about half of the $6,500 show has been paid for. Donations can be dropped off at Valley Bank & Trust and other businesses with donation cans.

Sleepy Eye activities take flight Thursday in Allison Park. Bingo, an ice cream social and food will be available all day. A flag raising ceremony will be performed by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard at noon. An egg tossing contest and water balloon toss begins at 3:30 p.m.

A buffalo burger feed will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Old time and country music will be played all afternoon. Fireworks will be displayed in the evening over the lake. The St. Mary's football team will accept fireworks donations.

In Cambria, a food stand opens in the park at 11 a.m. Thursday. A parade begins at 1 p.m. Town hall events are a patriotic program at 2 p.m. and fancy cake auction at 3 p.m. Kids games start at 4 p.m. in the park. Fireworks will be viewed at dusk.

A parade down South Minnesota Street begins St. Peter festivities Thursday. A community picnic will be held in Minnesota Square Park. Dogs will not be allowed in any park in town. Fireworks will also be prohibited on all public property.

Fort Ridgely State Park free festivities begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 6. The Declaration of Independence will be read, period music will be played, 19th century games and contests for all ages will be held and refreshments served.

Admission to the historic site is free. A state park sticker is required to enter the state park. For more information, call 507-426-7888.