STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The City of Sun Valley, in the words of Uncle Sam, wants you. And so do other cities and organizations in the valley.

The City of Sun Valley is seeking volunteers to accompany its float in Hailey’s Fourth of July Parade dressed as 1940s apres ski characters. The float—a salute to the founding of Sun Valley Resort, will feature Mayor Peter Hendricks and First Lady Lisa-Marie Allen, along with  ice skaters, a chairlift and a big Sun Valley sun.

Hockey players will dress as Sun Valley waiters in bow ties and tails to rollerblade alongside the float bearing silver platters full of candy. And Sun Valley Resort’s snowcat and dump truck will bring up the rear. https://signup.com/go/oMgAyHr 

The color isn’t relegated to those in the parade.

“We’re going to have lots of candy and we’re so excited,” said city spokesperson Nancy Flannigan.

The float is one of several designed by cities of the valley to depict Idaho’s story against the backdrop of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“It’s going to be our biggest parade ever!” said Chamber Director Mike McKenna. That’s a lot, considering Hailey’s Fourth of July Parade is celebrating its 143rd anniversary this year.

The parade and its accompanying Riverfest and Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo are the centerpiece in several days of events that include the Baldy Bluebird Music Festival, Sun Valley on Ice show.

Expect lots of flag waving in this year’s parade.

The focal point of this year’s parade, which begins at noon on Saturday and follows Hailey’s Main Street, is Liberty on Parade: Blaine County’s American Story.

Cities and organizations will present a living timeline of Blaine County history, showcasing the people, industries, traditions and events that have shaped the Wood River Valley beginning with the Native Americans who canvassed the canyons of the Wood River Valley looking for camas bulbs and fishing in the Big Wood River.

Four Shoshone-Bannock tribal members are expected to lead the contingent—after the fire trucks and police cars wake up the crowd lining the street, of course!

The City of Carey will portray the pioneer era and the founding of the Idaho Territory with pioneer imagery and a portrayal of Abraham Lincoln signing legislation creating the Idaho Territory in 1863.

The Sons and Daughters of Liberty played fife and drums a few years ago.

The City of Bellevue has paired with the Bellevue Historical Society to represent the mining and railroad era with Bellevue’s historic 1885 fire cart, period costumes and a celebration of Bellevue’s distinction as Idaho’s only chartered city.

The Blaine County Historical Museum will add to that with large-scale railroad and mining displays, including a Union Pacific passenger train and ore cart.

The City of Hailey will trot out a sheep wagon, sheep camp and Basque dancers to celebrate the sheep industry, the city’s Basque heritage and local ranching. Other groups will honor the contributions of the U.S. Forest Service and Civilian Conservation Corps, and the American Legion, Ketchum Post, will celebrate how its namesake city sent the most American troops per capita to World War I.

The Upper Big Wood River Grange will roll out a float dedicated to Local Agriculture Beginnings. And the City of Sun Valley will showcase the birth of Sun Valley as America’s first destination ski resort in 1936, while the City of Ketchum will celebrate Bald Mountain, skiing, outdoor recreation and the modern Wood River Valley.

Kelsey Watson shows off The Chamber’s 4th of July T-shirtss.

“More than a parade, this is an opportunity for our communities to come together and celebrate the people, industries, landscapes, and traditions that built Blaine County,” said Rebecca Cox, director of the Blaine County Historical Museum, which is coordinating the parade entries. “Through Liberty on Parade, we're telling our local story as part of the larger American story during this historic anniversary year.”

All the floats could use volunteers costumed as 1880s townspeople, miners, train conductors and more. Costumes are available. Contact the Blaine County Historical Museum, the cities or the individual organizations to sign up for the float that interests you.

The parade will feature numerous other groups, including the Peaceful Warriors, who are walking to remind onlookers about the need to preserve America’s democracy and liberty 250 years after the fact.

This year’s Grand Marshal will be the Blaine County Recreation District, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Numerous Wood River Valley organizations are celebrating 50-, 35-, 25- and other anniversaries this year. But probably none has the breadth of the BCRD which offers a wide range of year-round activities for a wide-range of ages from the HUB afterschool programs to the grooming of Nordic ski trails and the aquatic exercise class.

The organization, founded in 1976, estimates more than 600,000 annual user days while working to provide healthy, active and diverse recreational opportunities for the Wood River Valley.

Here’s the lineup of Fourth of July-related activities beginning on Wednesday:

WEDNESDAY, July 1

Historian Robert p. Watson, author of “Declaration: The Story of American Independence,” will discuss lesser-known stories behind the Declaration of Independence at 5:30 p.m. at The Community Library in Ketchum. Reserve your seat at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/16565481. Or livestream it at https://vimeo.com/event/5970404

“The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a musical produced by Wood River Rep (formerly The Liberty Theatre Company) opens at The Liberty Theatre in Hailey, featuring familiar pop songs of the 1950s and 1960s. It continues through July 12 with 7 p.m. shows Wednesdays through Saturdays (except for July 4) and 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday https://woodriverrep.org/.

The Bright Knight exhibition featuring a look at longtime Sun Valley resident Adam West, aka Batman, runs through Aug. 14 at Forest Service Park in Ketchum. Admission is free. Hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturdays.

World Cup Watch Party in Ketchum’s Forest Service Park at 6 p.m.

Beverly Lovers sing two-part harmony in free concert at Ketchum Town Square at 6:30 p.m.

Sun Valley on Ice featuring 2026 Olympians, U.S. Silver Medalists and World Bronze Medalists Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik. www.sunvalley.com/things-to-do/sun-valley-on-ice/

THURSDAY, July 2

Sawtooth Botanical Garden Wildflower Walk at 9 a.m. leaving from the garden at Highway 75 and Gimlet Road. Free.

Parade Wand Workshop. The Community Library’s Children’s Library in Ketchum will show children how to make parade wands for Saturday’s parade between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Free.

Live Music in the Pasture outside Hotel Ketchum in Ketchum at 5:30 p.m.

Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo at Hailey Rodeo Grounds. Pre-rodeo entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets available at Atkinson’s Markets and online at https://www.sawtoothrangers.org/get-tickets/.

Hailey Rocks with live music at 6:30 p.m. at Hop Porter Park. Free.

FRIDAY, July 3

4th of July Blue Cow Antique Market in Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun Valley History Tour by Bus leaving at 10:30 a.m. from the Sun Valley Visitor Center (Starbucks) in Ketchum. Free.

Sun Valley Gallery Association Gallery Walk from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at various locations in Ketchum.

Sun Valley Museum of Art Street Party and Exhibition opening Celebration featuring art from the collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer. 5-7:30 p.m. at 191 5th St. East.

Baldy Bluebird Music Festival featuring Brothers Osborne and others starts at 6 p.m. at Sun Valley Resort’s River Run Plaza. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/baldy-bluebird-festival/

Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo at Hailey Rodeo Grounds. Pre-rodeo entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by Grand Entry and rodeo. Tickets available at Atkinson’s Markets and online at https://www.sawtoothrangers.org/get-tickets/.

SATURDAY

4th of July Blue Cow Antique Market continues at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey.

Hailey’s Days of the Old West Fourth of July Parade starts at noon.

Sawtooth Brewery Riverfest will feature free live music, kids’ entertainment, craft vendors and food trucks from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Hop Porter Park in Hailey.

Baldy Bluebird Music Festival featuring Chase Rice and other performers starts at 6 p.m. at Sun Valley Resort’s River Run Plaza. Fireworks visible from the River Run Parking Lot and Sun Valley Village will commence following the final set, which starts at 8:30 p.m. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/baldy-bluebird-festival/

Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo at Hailey Rodeo Grounds starts at 7 p.m. Tickets available at Atkinson’s Markets and online at https://www.sawtoothrangers.org/get-tickets/.

Hailey’s Fireworks start after 10 p.m., shot off from an area near Wood River High School in Hailey.

SUNDAY, July 5

Pop Up Pilates in the Sun Valley Village at 10 a.m.

4th of July Blue Cow Antique Market concludes at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey beginning at 9 a.m.