4th of July Rundown

Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

This Saturday, July 4, America celebrates its 250th Birthday, and communities across Southwest Montana are marking the occasion with parades, rodeos, fireworks, live music, family activities, BBQs, and much more.

Southwestern Montana News has done the work for you! We've gathered events from around the region and organized them by date and time so you can easily plan your holiday weekend.

📅 Friday, July 3

Dillon – Dillon Days

Throughout the day:

• Blowin' Smoke BBQ Cook-Off

• Vendors & Sidewalk Sales

• Live Entertainment

• Family Activities

Ennis

7:00 p.m.🤠 90th Annual Ennis Rodeo

• Ennis Rodeo Grounds

• Gates open before the performance

• One of Montana's premier Independence Day rodeos.

Butte

Evening Fireworks launched from the base of the famous "Big M."

📅 Saturday, July 4

Dillon – Dillon Days

Throughout the Day

• Fourth of July Parade

• 🚗 Classic Car Show

• 🍖 Blowin' Smoke BBQ Cook-Off

• 🦆 Duck Race

• 🛍️ Sidewalk Sales

• 🎵 Live Music

• 📜 Reading of the Declaration of Independence

• Family Activities

Approximately 10:00 p.m.🎆 Fireworks at Ray Lynch Park

Polaris / Grasshopper Valley

📍 Grasshopper Valley Volunteer Fire Department

8:00–11:00 a.m.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

🎟️ Silent Auction

🥧 Ladies Club Bake Sale

Support your local volunteer firefighters while enjoying breakfast with family and friends.

12:00–1:00 p.m.🏃 Peggy Birkenbuel Memorial Firecracker 5K

• Run • Walk • Bike

• Starts & finishes at Ma Barnes

📍 Elkhorn Hot Springs

339 Hot Springs Road

12:00–4:00 p.m.🏊 Red, White & Blue Pool Party

🍔 Special July 4 Lunch

• Burgers & Hot Dogs

1:00–4:00 p.m.Explore the Grasshopper Valley

• Crystal Park

• Bannack State Park

• Pioneer Mountains

• Elkhorn Hot Springs

8:00–10:00 p.m.🎸 Live Music featuring Road Agents

10:00 p.m.🎆 Community Fireworks

Lima

250 Years of Stars and Stripes

Lima's 2026 Fourth of July Celebration

7:00 – 11:00 a.m.🥞 Pancake & Sausage BreakfastSponsored by the Lima Rural Volunteer Fire Department.

10:00 a.m.🙏 Community Prayer ServiceHeld at the Lima Town Park Pavilion.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.🚗 1st Annual Freedom Car Show📍 Peat Bar & Steakhouse1 N. Broadway St.

No entry fee with awards including:

• Best in Show

• People's Choice

• Best Car

• Best Truck

• Most Unique

12:00 p.m.🎆 Fourth of July Parade Line-Up📍 Town Hall (New Location)

Approximately 12:30 p.m.🇺🇸 Lima Fourth of July ParadeFeaturing community floats, organizations, decorated cars, trucks, ATVs and UTVs. This year's parade will follow the traditional route in reverse.

Immediately Following the Parade🍔 Community Potluck in the Park

Hamburgers, hot dogs and salads will be provided.Guests are encouraged to bring a dessert to share.

Afternoon🥇 Annual Horseshoe Tournament

• $40 per team

• Cash jackpot prizes

• Trophies awarded for 1st–3rd place

🎈 Kids Games Including:

• Money Pit

• Three-Legged Race

• Sack Race

• Egg Toss

🏓 Ping Pong Ball Drop Returning for this year's celebration.

3:30 – 6:00 p.m.🏊 Free Community SwimLima Community Swimming Pool.

Dusk🎇 Community Fireworks Display

Ennis

10:00 a.m.🇺🇸 90th Annual Fourth of July ParadeMain Street

Immediately Following the Parade🍔 Ennis Lions Club PicnicPeter T's Park

12:00 p.m. US Veterans Memorial Ceremony Veterans Memorial Park

7:00 p.m.🤠 Ennis Rodeo Ennis Rodeo Grounds

Virginia City

Historic businesses, museums, restaurants, and attractions remain open throughout the day.

Dusk🎆 Community Fireworks Display

Anaconda

Celebrate Independence Day in Anaconda with a full day of community events.

Morning Fourth of July Parade through downtown Anaconda

Throughout the Day🎶 Live Music

🍔 Food Vendors

🎈 Family Activities

🛍️ Local shopping and downtown festivities

Evening🎆 Community Fireworks Display

Butte

10:00 a.m. Freedom Festival Parade

Throughout the Day

• Live Music

• Food Vendors

• Family Activities

• Downtown Entertainment

📅 Sunday, July 5

Dillon

Dillon Days wraps up with additional community activities and events.

No matter where you celebrate—from Dillon to Grasshopper Valley, Ennis, Virginia City, Anaconda, or Butte—there are plenty of ways to celebrate America's 250th Birthday with family and friends.

From all of us at Southwestern Montana News, have a safe, memorable, and Happy Fourth of July!