Although the United States has other occasions on which to honor and memorialize veterans of its armed forces (Memorial Day in May; Veterans Day, Nov. 11 first spring to mind), the day on which a new nation declared its independence from tyranny also provides an opportunity to recognize those who have served their country.
The Spur Area Chamber of Commerce will do so on the morning of July 4, 2025, with area veterans invited to ride in an Independence Day Parade that also features classic Ford Mustangs.
Part of the rationale for this year’s focus is the ongoing work undertaken by the Spur Parks Committee that has included new landscaping, a new mural in progress, and a restoration of the city’s flagpole in front of its military monument.
The flag has also been repaired, and will be raised once again immediately following the parade, with a singing of patriotic songs.
A list of names on the monuments follows at the end of this story.
Festivities get underway with a patriotic parade along Burlington Avenue, a continuation of an Independence Day event in recent years that has honored local veterans and featured classic cars and other vehicles. The parade will assemble by 9:30 a.m. at the Spur Coop Gin yard on Loop 21 south of town and travel north on Burlington, turning left on East 1st Street and coming back south along Willard Avene.
RICKELS PARK MURAL UNDER WAY. Afterward, visitors can enjoy a menu of midday activities in the newly landscaped Rickels Park at 3rd and Burlington— and envision the mural by local artist Vicki Glass Diggs soon to begin on the newly repaired Spur Ex-Student Association building abutting the park.
FLAG-RAISING AT MEMORIAL MONUMENT. Following the parade, at approximate- ly 10:45 a.m., there will be a flag-raising ceremony at the newly refurbished memorial flagpole to honor all area veterans for their service. According to Marcella Bilberry, whose family helped repaint the pole, local textiles expert Becky Jones repaired the U.S. flag that belongs to the City of Spur, for the purpose.
HOT DOGS AND BURGERS.
Afterwards, the Spur Area Chamber of Commerce will fire up the grills and offer a picnic meal with either a hamburger or hot dog, chips, cookie and drink for only $5.
LAWN GAMES. Plus, there’ll be lawn games for the kiddos and the young at heart, and a special Cornhole Raffle game, where one lucky winner, gets to take home the Cornhole game.
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM— AND PRIZES! Oneofthemost fun events on tap for Fourth on Burlington will be the Homemade Ice Cream making contest. Many locals remember recent 4th of July festivities that featured a hotly contested competition for bragging rights for the best creation of the cool treat, and this year’s showdown should generate a lot of yummy entries as well.
Ice cream contest entries should be brought to the park bandstand area at noon, and samples will be served for $1 a scoop while they last.
Lawrence Brothers IGA of Spur has donated the prizes for the ice cream contest, $100 gift card for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.
Fourth on Burlington should wrap up in plenty of time for families to enjoy an afternoon at the Swenson Park Pool, the Spur golf course, the Dickens Spring, or local shopping and dining.
If locals are looking for fireworks Friday evening, they don’t have too far to go. White River Marina will once again provide a fireworks display over the lake at dusk, and Kent County Nursing Home is making preparations for fireworks in Jayton.
