The Fourth: Freedom, fireworks and farms

Happy birthday, America.

Only a few days remain before the red, white and blue waves over the valley and on downtown streets to celebrate the birthday of the United States, etched with the ratification of the Declaration of Independence from England in 1776.

Across the country and from every corner of Nevada, communities such as Fallon will celebrate Independence Day with parades, a downtown block party, picnics and fireworks.

Fallon’s community-wide celebration begins with a parade at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is Freedom, Fireworks and Farms, and longtime growers Rick and B. Ann Lattin are the grand marshals. For five generations, the Lattins have been farming in the Lahontan Valley, and they are well known during the late summer because of their crops and cantaloupes provided for the annual Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair.

Inside their market on McLean Road, buyers will see a variety of fruits and vegetables along with jars of jams and jellies.

Five generations after the original purchase, Rick Lattin continues to farm the now 400-acre farm and agritourism business. In 2020, the Lattins received the state’s Centennial Farms and Homesteads award for the same family owning their farm for more than 100 years.

The parade route remains the same for spectators who will begin to line up along the streets at least a good hour before the U.S. Marine’s High Desert League parades the colors. The parade begins at Churchill County Middle School and moves north on Taylor Street to A Street.

The eastward route extends for two blocks to allow residents of The Homestead to see the parade, and veterans gather at the American Legion Hall to cheer on the participants as they walk to Williams Avenue. From there, the groups proceed east to Maine Street and then south toward the middle school.

According to Fallon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lucy Carnahan, announcer booths are normally positioned at various locations along the parade route. They include such locations as Edward Jones, Twisted Branch, Churchill County Public Defender’s Office, the Fallon Chamber/Churchill Entrepreneurial Development Association building on 290 W. Williams Ave., American Legion, Churchill County courthouse, the former Kent’s market building and VFW Hall at the corner of Maine and Stillwater.

Categories include Best Youth Group, Best Civic/Non-Profit Group, Best Business Entry, Best Mounted Individual, Best Mounted Group, Best Agriculture Entry, Best Automobile, Best ATV/UTV, Best Use of Theme, Most Patriotic and Chamber Choice Award.

After the parade, the downtown corridor becomes the place to be for a slice of Americana. A community block party is planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Maine Street and between Williams Avenue and Richards Street. Bed races on Maine Street begin approximately at noon at the fountain. Two age groups include 18 years of age and older and 13-17.

The pie bakeoff is Saturday. Bring one pie to The Barrel House/Multi-Purpose Building at the 3C Event Complex, 325 Sheckler Road between 10 a.m. and noon. Judging begins at 1 p.m. The contest is open to all bakers.

Decorate your window in the Red, White, & Blue contest. A prize of $100 will be awarded for the window that has the best use of theme plus the voters’ choice award. The contest is open to all businesses in Churchill County.

Voters Choice will occur at the block party on July 4.

Later in the day, Racing at Rattlesnake Raceway begins at 5 p.m. Gates open several hours before the first race. General admission is $10 but $5 for children ages 6 to 10, and senior citizens 55 years and older.

The raceway is located at 2000 Airport Road off Indian Lakes Road.

At dusk or about 9 p.m., the raceway will shoot off fireworks.

For information on the parade or block party, contact Carnahan at the Chamber of Commerce, 775-423-2544.