By Sarah Smith
ssmith@parkrapidsenterprise.com
It was a glorious Fourth.
Cool, cloudy temps greeted the 700+ runners that entered the Firecracker 5K run in Park Rapids. It was perfect, most runners agreed.
Boaters did report cool conditions on area lakes as a dozen or so boat parades were launched. But all you needed was a light jacket.
Pontoons festooned with flags, banners and garlands paraded up and down area lakes, to be cheered by crowds on shore, wearing Uncle Sam hats and waving more flags.
Pies baked by 21 volunteers sold for $20 to $100 apiece during the 8th annual John Michael Lerma pie auction that benefitted the Park Rapids Library.
A coconut macaroon pie claimed the top bid of $100. The pies were entered into four categories at a $5 entry fee. The event raised $1,000 for the library. Lerma was the original founder of the contest, said library director Jodi Schultz.
By the time Park Rapids’ parade started at 5 p.m., sunshine greeted the hundreds of parade goers that lined Main Avenue for blocks.
The parade lasted for well over an hour.
The fireworks could be seen for miles Friday night and were pronounced “the best ever” by thousands who saw them.
Area businesses reported “crazy good” sales that seemed to mushroom overnight beginning June 30.
Many agreed that, “we’ve been waiting too long for this” summer weather after a cool and damp start.
Sunshine Saturday and Sunday mornings left many to wonder if the cool start was only a dream.
