Don’t miss the fun that awaits Fourth of July Weekend By Jillian Chandler
Bonners Ferry resident John Becker is at it again to bring two lively events to the Bonners Ferry community. Saturday, July 3, you won’t want to miss the full day of family friendly entertainment at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, as the 9B Arenacross and Fourth of July parade and fireworks return.
Registration will open at 9am (and continue until 11am) for this year’s 9B Arenacross. Bonners Ferry’ Fourth of July parade—also to be held July 3—will start at 11am in the main parking lot of the fairgrounds. “Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade and to join those gathering in that area,” smiles John. The 9B Arenacross gates will open to the public at 4:30pm, with the show starting at 5:30pm. The night concludes with a spectacular fireworks show, which will start at dusk in the ballfields at the fairgrounds, and the show is free to attend! Throughout the evening, there will be food and product vendors available, and the Parks & Rec concession stand will be open raising funds as well. As of press time, John was still working to finalize additional festivities for the day.
Sponsorships are still needed for this year’s events, and the community is encouraged to help in any way they can. “Our biggest need is finances,” affirms John. As of press time, they are still $5,000 shy of their fundraising goal for the fireworks. “One hundred percent of all money raised for the fireworks goes back into the fireworks show.” Volunteers will be needed to help clean up the fairgrounds on Sunday, and for those who would like to organize other events throughout the day/evening (gunny sack races, dunk tanks, anything to add to the day’s fun) then please reach out to John.
“With all of the hubbub in the world today, I hope our local families can find a way to tune out the busyness of life and spend the day with their families; watching or participating in the parade, hanging out at the fairgrounds eating good food for the evening, socializing with others from our community and then enjoy what we hope will be a great fireworks show!” shares John.
For those who would like to support the fireworks: Drop off a check made out to Forerunner Enterprises at the local branch of Mountain West Bank; mail a check made out to Forerunner Enterprises to PO Box 1403, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805; send payment via Venmo to John-Becker-191; via Paypal to ForerunnerIdaho@gmail.com (make sure you select the option that does not deduct a fee from your donation); or text/call John Becker at 208.255.8955, and he will meet you personally in town to pick up your donation. There will also be a donation box at the Rod Benders Car Club Car Show on June 5. To sponsor the Arenacross, please visit 9BArenacross.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the home page. Let’s all come together to help make July 3, 2021, a day to remember!