Next week, thousands will celebrate Independence Day at the annual Great Carnation Fourth of July Celebration.

Carnation has been the draw on the Fourth of July for locals for more than 50 years. The celebration dates back to the 1920s.

Committee chair and parade chair Kim Lisk — who’s been involved with the celebration for 24 years — said the event organizers are expecting some 10,000 visitors next week.

“I think the big thing here is that it still has that old-time feel,” Lisk said. “It’s very family oriented, very down to earth, and nothing over the top…[people] say they like that wholesome of the Carnation Fourth of July celebration…I think it’s that more country feel. ”

This year, Lisk said attendees can expect more food vendors, but everything else remains as always. The event will have the annual 5K, pancake breakfast, kiddie parade followed by the grand parade, Just Moo it! 3-on-3 basketball tournament, vendor village, car show and live music. (See Page 26 for the schedule.)

“We get so many people in for the parade,” Lisk said. “There’s a little bit of everything for everybody. There’s something for moms, dads, kids, teens, and even the young adults…we seem to have captured everybody.”

This year’s Grand Marshal of the grand parade is Chief Pahayoquinich Ronnie Jerry Kanim Enick. Enik’s family involvement in the Fourth of July parade in Tolt dates back to the 1920’s when his great grandfather Chief Jerry Kanim began to sponsor the Fourth of July Celebration at his home in Tolt. Some 60 tribal members would attend and take part in the Tolt/Carnation Parade and participate in traditional games and dances.

The sense of history is not lost on the current team organizing this year’s parade.

“The committee that we have are dedicated volunteers,” Lisk said. “They have been doing it for years, and that is where the success comes. It’s their commitment.”

The full Great Carnation Fourth of July Celebration schedule is available online at www.carnation4th.org.