Celebrate Fourth Of July in Delano
On the heels of a down year in 2012, organizers of the Fourth of July Celebration in Delano are optimistic the 2013 event will be back to normal levels.
“The schedule flows better this year, with the celebration taking place Wednesday through Saturday,” said Fourth of July Celebration Committee Chairman Alex Roeser. “But, as last year’s celebration showed with the heat, our crowds are still weather-dependent.”
This year’s celebration will open Wednesday, July 3, and continue through Saturday, July 6. Fireworks will be at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6.
A big amateur baseball supporter, Mike Max of WCCO-TV, is this year’s grand marshal as Delano will be co-hosting the 2013 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament.
Max, the brother of local businessman Kevin Max, returned to WCCO-TV as a sports reporter and anchor in April 2005.
He also hosts WCCO Sports Tonight With Mike Max on WCCO Radio. Prior to hosting the radio show, Mike hosted Sports Connection on the Midwest Sports Channel.
Max started his career as an intern at WCCO-TV. He was hired as a sports producer and soon began reporting for WCCO-TV.
A true Minnesotan, Max grew up in Gaylord, and played football, basketball, and baseball.
Max attended Hamline University and furthered his talents on the court and on the diamond, playing basketball and baseball for the Pipers.
In his spare time, Max enjoys working out, hunting, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and son.
Bands booked to perform over the course of Delano’s Fourth of July Celebration include the Shaw Brothers, returning-favorite GB Leighton, Brat Pack Radio, featuring local drummer Pete Johnson; and country group Rocket Club.
The committee is also planning to expand the entertainment with a second stage being added to the park that will feature more family-friendly activities during the afternoons of the celebration. Some of the entertainment will include a magician, a juggler, and a performance by the Teddy Bear Band.
Three shows from the Minnesota Disc Dog Club Frisbee dogs are also set to take place Saturday, July 6 at 3, 5, and 7 p.m.
At the end of each of the dog shows, there will be a meet-and-greet and question-and-answer session. The organization is a non-profit club that loves dogs, disc-dogging, and just having fun. The club hosts competitions, performs shows, and hosts play dates to give people a chance to practice their skills and connect with other disc-doggers.
Organizers are also putting together the final touches of the event sponsorship package and a memorial program. The popular 5K run will take place Thursday, July 4 at 9:15 a.m., with the parade to follow.
The Delano Royalty Organization coronation will take place Wednesday, July 3 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the Delano Middle School.
Representatives of six local organizations make up the Fourth of July Celebration Committee – the Delano Athletic Club, Delano Lions, Delano Sportsmen’s Club, Delano Jaycees, Delano Area Chamber of Commerce, and Delano American Legion.
For more updates on the celebration, watch the Delano Herald Journal, visit www.delano4th.com.
