The committee met July 15, 2025 and discussed events for the 2026 4th of July celebration.
Wedsworth Hall has been reserved for the celebration activities.
The committee decided to incorporate the current 4th of July activities of softball on the 3rd and 4th, the barbeque and fireworks the evening of the 4th.
The committee still would like to flood the Town with flags for at least a week prior to the 4th if not for the month prior. The American Legion is considering buying a quantity of flags at a discounted price and possibly sell them at $25.00.
Hopefully businesses and houses will decorate with a patriotic theme prior to the 4th.
Christa Hardy has been contacted and asked if the art students in the coming school year could design a few art projects reflecting the 4th of July or the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
The Town intends to bury a Time Capsule. No time has been set up for this.
Craig Moore stated that there is money in the Cascade Fireworks Foundation to provide funding for the events. Sue Violette will send letters to the community intermittently asking for donations.
On July 3rd:
Softball games could start early in the day; this is still a work in progress.
A parade at 4:00 to 4:30 with Grand Marshalls of the Eldest in the community. For the parade they hope to engage bagpipers and clowns from the Masonic Lodge/Shriners in Great Falls, the fire department in the parade. Several names were proposed as a possible parade organizer. Contact will be made with Malmstrom Air Force Base to explore the possibility of them providing an Honor Guard/Color Guards.
Merle Peterson, imitating Johnny Cash’s music style, has been hired for music the evening of the 3rd at Wedsworth Hall. Usually, a performer plays for 45 minutes in an hour. In the 15-minute interludes, a recording of early community families’ histories will be played on a screen.
A car/tractor show on the afternoon/evening of the 3rd coordinating with the other events. A Food Truck Rodeo will be brought in, possibly starting around 3:00 p.m., including hot dogs.
The committee hopes to have an open house at the Museum and set up a self-guided tour throughout the community of historical sites and possibly the school would provide a tour. Possibly starting these at noon. The tours are a work in progress on how they will be handled.
On July 4th:
Around 10:00 a.m. a new flag will be raised at Atkinson Park. Flag will be donated by Craig Moore. Stacey will contact Earl Nielson to provide a dialogue on the historical design of the American flag.
Softball games will be played. This is still a work in progress as far as scheduling. The BQ will take place that evening
In the afternoon, performers at Wedsworth Hall to present a rendition of historical individuals. Bill Bronson has committed to performing a historical characterization of Charlie Russell. Channing Hartelius will perform as George Washington. The committee is looking for other performers of additional historical figures such as Mary Fields, or Thomas Jefferson.
Booths showcasing our local organizations and they could sell ice cream, water, cookies, hot dogs, provide face painting etc. for the 4th.
Cheryl Cruze will send a letter to community organizations asking them if they would like to set up booths for the events selling a product or just providing more information on their organization.
Channing Hartelius will reach out to people to perform historical characterizations, parade participants and find a parade organizer.
Sue Violette will contact personnel at Malmstrom Air Force Base to explore the possibility of them providing an Honor Guard/Color Guards.
Stacey Corcino will contact the Masons to see if they would like to participate in the parade.
Becca Wood and Bev Caldwell will record Cascade pioneer family histories to be presented the evening of the 3rd, possibly be included in the time capsule, copies to be donated to the Wedsworth Library and Cascade Community and Senior Center Museum.
Craig will be in charge of the softball games, contacting Food Trucks for a Food Rodeo, fundraising/financials, the BQ the night of the 4th and coordinating the music. Craig hopes to just oversee the BBQ with assistance from an organization or another person.
The committee will meet again September 23, 2025 at 5:30 in the Library meeting room again in November and then every month in 2026 before July 4th.