SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) Feeding the 5,000 at Sioux Falls' annual July 4th celebration at Falls Park isn't a miracle, but is sure a lot of hard work.
"It is definitely an undertaking, but there is a lot of great people involved in the planning, a lot of great vendors involved to help us get the food prepared, and then just a lot of volunteers." says Park Operations Manager Kelby Mieras.
The first 5,000 in line get free pork sandwiches, bottled water, and ice cream, starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday. To work up an appetite, there is the fun run at 8 a.m., and the downtown parade on Phillips beginning at 10 a.m.
Mayor Mike Huether wants to shake your hand on the 4th of July.
"I try to shake hands with everybody at that picnic, for example. I'm high-fiving everybody on the run, and I'm trying to kiss as many babies and shake as many hands...," says Mayor Mike.
There will be plenty of patriotic music at Falls Park with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band.
There will be special holiday events across the Sioux Empire Tuesday.
Here's just a sampling of area festivities: Brookings features a big downtown parade, Inwood, Iowa has its annual celebration, Lennox has its 33rd Annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, and there will be Fourth at the Lake in Lurverne, Minnesota.