Another Fourth of July has come and passed Idaho Falls, and I think our city did a great job with this year’s festivities. Kudos to the thousands of people who worked behind the scenes to make all these great events. I hope a congratulatory picnic for those people can be arranged, we should thank them properly.
Now is the time to get express our viewpoints on the festivities, to make next year even better.
Personally, I went to the parade, the liberty festival on the falls, and to the greenbelt for the fireworks.
My grandparents owned a 4th street home, so as a kid I watched the parade every year. As an adult, I grew to dislike the advertising-focused floats so much that I quit going for many years. Even my wife started taking our kids to the Menan parade for awhile. The last few years have seen much better patriotic floats and almost no advertising-focused floats.
Unfortunately this year it seemed more advertising-focused floats reared their ugly head again. Specifically American Family Insurance had a huge inflated business card on a trailer, and nothing patriotic about it. A Karate shop in town had a float with very few patriotic things, and signs on their float advertised things like “first month free”. Not exactly keeping with the theme. So one improvement I would suggest to the parade is to be more strict with the commercial-advertising guidelines.
The Liberty Festival on the Falls was great, and I think a better event than the Settler’s festival we had for decades at Tautphaus park. There were lots of great things for kids, great food vendors, two bands playing, and art booths. I liked that it was not just on the greenbelt, but also in the downtown area with the second band and the classic car show.
The only drawback was the intense heat. I know they have no control over that, but maybe some artificial shade could be put up for the kiddies standing in line. My seven-year old stood in one line and quit about two spots before going on the ride. Maybe moving the trailers a little closer to where people standing in line are under the shade trees would help?
We usually watch the fireworks from a buddy’s home, which means we miss the lower fireworks. This year we packed up at 9 PM and walked over to the greenbelt. We easily found an uncrowded spot within site of the launching tubes, and loved it. The traffic was well-controlled by the ISP, and the walk back out was fast and painless. As we walked the Lindsay Boulevard overpass, I joked about the traffic jam below us and everyone laughed.
What did you enjoy about this year’s festivities? What did you like better than other years? What do you think could be improved next year?
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It WAS all he had to say about it!
:@:)
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{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
One other thing, this morning my wife remarked that this year was one of the best fourth of Julys she thinks she has ever had in Idaho Falls, so it was overall very good.
Complaints were made in past years about our city not providing port-a-potties. I was glad to see several banks of port-a-potties at the liberty festival. Does anyone know if those were left during the fireworks, or was there a lack of toilet facilities again?
Well, I ended up posting on last years post so I decided to cut and paste it over here since there’s a new posting.
We had a great time as well! Although I didn’t think it was right for people to lay down blankets and rope off little areas with twine and tent stakes first thing in the morning, leave and then come back in the evening! I think its rude and officers should do something about this problem next year. We were there from 10am until about 12, left and came back around 2 till 4, then came back around 8:30 to find a good spot to watch the fireworks. The whole day these blankets, chairs and little roped off areas were vacant the whole time.
I can understand everyone wanting a great spot to view the fireworks, but it should be on a first come first serve basis. Not first come and lay your blanket down in the morning and then come back in the evening.
We were laughing to ourselves and saying, maybe we should rearrange everyones blankets, so when they come back, they won’t be sitting where they thought they were sitting!
I don’t remember if I mentioned this in the chatbox or another post, but we had the same situation in Florida each May during the Air & Sea show. Imagine 4-5 hundred thousand people all trying to get a spot on a stretch of beach about 4 miles long. If you wanted to get there early and lay your things down that was fine, but you had better leave somebody there to watch your spot and your belongings, otherwise you’d come back to find your things floating in the ocean or missing altogether.
I just think its rude and obnoxious to rope off little areas of prime real estate first thing in the morning, and then not come back until right before the show starts.
Regardless, we found a great spot on the east side of the river this year and we had a great view of the show. I wasn’t too impressed with the music that accompanied the show, but it was better than nothing I guess. We all thouroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers that made the festivities come off without a hitch this year. Job well done!
So maybe an improvement to help that situation would be posting a few signs informing squatters that “claims” must be attended at all times by someone inside that claim, and unattended claims can be pulled by anyone?
We were one of the “squatters” but spent the time over at the Liberty Festival staying cool. Normally we are at the site the whole time, but the heat about killed us and we all wanted to be at the festival.
My biggest gripe is the “smokers” that are right next to you on the greenbelt waiting for the fireworks, puffing away. The smoke always seems to be drifting my way.
So if a “squaters” sign goes up, I’d like to see a “no-smoking” sign up as wel…just a suggestion!
We are from Dallas, TX and have travelled to visit family and enjoy the fireworks in Idaho Falls on several occasions. However, for the past two years, we have experienced something that will make us reconsider attending this show next year. The burning ash that falls from the fireworks has become too dangerous. This year, my 11 year son recieved 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his eyelid from the ash. We are grateful that he was not blinded.
The areas close to the fallout area need to be roped off so noone can sit there. I know that is hard to do with winds changing directions. However, given the seriousness of the injuries that can occur and the liability of the city this matter needs to be addressed. We love this show and know it is the best in the country . We would just like to see it made safer for everyone attending.
This year our family attended the 4th of July celebratition in Pocatello and it was AWESOME!. What made it so good was that it was dedicated to Sgt Blake Stevens, killed last month in Iraq, it was a very touching memorial to a young man who stepped up to serve his country not run off to a foreign country to serve a religious mission. Sgt Stevens paid for his patriotism not by fireworks but with his own blood, May God Bless Sgt Stevens. The Pocatello celebration is still called the 4th of July, Not a Corporate Freedom Day, the organziers didn’t see the need to change the name of a national holiday. There wasn’t any pretty boy politicians there, who go where their handlers tell them to go and who are in the pockets of the same of corporate ceo’s who have to fake their patriotism for political gains, just normal red blooded americans. I sure didn’t have to pay $6 bucks for a bottle of homemade rootbeer autographed or not.
He was charging 100 bucks just to have your picture taken with him too. Who does he think he his? He certainly has no shot at the white house, but I guess he’s trying to get all the money he can while he’s in the race. Personal contributions don’t have to be returned, so that’ll go right into his pocket towards his BMW payment.
I was glad to hear that Jodie enjoyed the Pocatello 4th. My family thoroughly enjoyed the Idaho Falls 4th.
However, I do get frustrated at people constantly slamming on Melaleuca for the 4th of July celebration in Idaho Falls. I noticed this year that the firework display in New York City is the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks and was televised with that name. I would be interested to see if the residents of New York City gripe as much about Macy’s sponsoring the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the fireworks display. Does anyone know if they have the same issues in New York as Idaho Falls has after each Melaleuca Freedom Celebration? Just curious.
Wow, “NufSaid”. I can’t help but laugh. Even though I’m sure you were serious as could be about the point. My guess would be no, not in New York. Here in Idaho, the vultures have to pick at worms. Guess that’s all there is to pick at.
Last time I checked, we were still an all volunteer fighting force. There’s no draft going on. That’s quite an unjustified, cowardly shot at the LDS community that I’m sure Sgt. Blake would have been very offended by. Shame on you.
Pretty boy politicians were pimping themselves all across the nation. Just do a google search. We got lucky or cursed depending upon your POV to get a nationally renowned presidential candidate. I didn’t even bother to go see him. :shrug:
In closing, I agree with Joe about the squatters. If you are not going to attend your “squat”, don’t make it until you ready to. To the poor suckers who will wait in the heat and misery all day I say, “You deserve your spot!” Other than parking, there were still many good spots available as late as 9:00pm.
One complaint I do have about the crowd management was how many folks would squat in the middle of the road. Neither EMS or police vehicles could get up and down the road if they had to, not to mention pedestrians having to trip and squeeze around the patchworks of blankets and chairs. Is it too much to ask for people to leave the inside lanes of the road open for emergency and pedestrian traffic?
LR…
Yea shame on me, did I mention “LDS”? no? I didn’t think I did but you keep your thought in your little perfect world. What I think is “Cowardly” is for someone to find a religion at seventeen and leave the country a year later to avoid the draft that was in effect 1967-1968 time frame, but now that you mentioned it a certain “Pretty Boy” went to France around that time or a few years before, coincidental?. I’m sure Sgt Stevens, remember the name LR, wouldn’t be ashamed of me speaking my opinion, so much for your “Shame” on me.
OK Joe so you paid $10 a bottle for your buddy’s brew lol…did ya gewt a snapshot for keepsakes with jhim to? ;o)
Macy’s 4th of July celebration
vs
Melayucka Freedom Celebration
For some reason I see a huge difference. Its still very clear what one of them is, when it is, and why its happening. With the other its not. And that is all the difference.
I’d prefer 4th of July Celebration sponsored by Macy’s but hey its so much better than what we’ve got its hard to complain.
I must also ask.
If it is oh so imperative that we move the 4th of July to a new day when it falls on a Sunday then why can’t we move it when it falls in the middle of the week? Why couldn’t we have moved it to Friday?
Now personally I don’t think it should be moved period. But we’ve already opened that door with the disgraceful move a couple of years ago.
Vultures, yes. I like that analogy. Some people just cannot live without something to gripe about. Ah, well.
I’m with DisturbingThoughts on this one. Macy’s STILL names theirs Macy’s 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION. Why can’t Frank name his Melaleuca’s 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION? What’s wrong with the “4th of July” staying in the 4th of July festivities?
Aside from the name, it was still nice of his company and all the other sponsors, volunteers, etc. to throw this party for the city. I for one appreciated it and had a great time with my friends and family.
And props go to Nufsaid for owning up to his squattiness.
I can also understand about the smokers. Last year it was a problem for us, but we were fortunate this year to not have anyone around us that smoked so it was nice.
As for JP & Liz, just because you folks don’t grip about the name of this particular event, you can’t tell us that you don’t gripe about ANYTHING. Everybody gripes about something at sometime somewhere. People in glass houses…..
I agree, advertising floats take away from the quality of a patriotic theme parade. Shame on businesses who don’t see it that way.
The IF parade is much better than the Pocatello parade. Fireworks too, no matter who puts them on. Nice job Idaho Falls!
People staking out spots has got to go. I bet the city could pay volunteers next year with free food and the reward of a good spot if they wore a special shirt and were hired to pull up all stakes and blankets and send them to the lost and found. Better yet, send the blankets to the pound to help the strays. Entitlement-minded people never cease to amaze me.
I cannot afford frivolities like $10 bottles of beer, let alone Romney root beer. I could afford a picture of the sign though 8^)
What are some other things you liked and would like to see continued next year, or even expanded?
I like the parade start, when all the motorcycles go through. It seemed there were more last year, so more next year would be nice. Maybe sponsor a biker’s convention in Idaho Falls, like the classic car show, which would lure more motorcycles to the parade beginning.
Another thing I missed this year from past years was a military aircraft flyover to start the parade. It seems some years there was a helicopter or jets, but it was an exciting way to start, I’d like to see that again.
I liked the Dr. Slaughter float, that was neat and unexpected. They had people dressed up in horror costumes walking the street sides, it was fun.
What else?
I’d like to see politicians do something other than sit in a rented or borrowed convertable and wave “the wave.” Same with beauty queens. It’d be great to see them actually involved in a decorated float with a theme – even one related to their positions or platforms if need be.
My only concern at this parade were the guys on the fast little go karts. IMO, they were going pretty fast and coming too close to the curbs where many children sat. One slip of the wheel or a braking issue sends them right into the crowd. I was sitting with my 3 year old near the curb and sucked in my breath as they did one manuever far too fast and close to us. They also didn’t have much breaking time for the kids running across the street to buy toys or candy. Parent issue I know, but I saw a potential of some pretty close calls.
The “Thriller” horror float was great. We are new to the area and did see several floats that must be assuming everyone knows who they are. ie – no business name, address, or only a small sign on the back end. Also several signs were too small to read from our view.
You would think those little go-karts, the El Kora ? would hit kids every year, but they’ve been going for like 20 years now.
I just mentioned it to my wife, and she remembers they weren’t allowed in the parade for a few years because they did hit and hurt a little girl. She seems to remember the parents weren’t watching the little girl, though.
I think they take care to not put candy-throwing floats in front of or behind the go-carts. At least one would hope so!
Well. It’s just my opinion that everyone needs to HUSH UP with the hate and about the 4th of july fireworks. It’s something Frank is doing, not the city, not your grandma, Frank Vandersloot. As far as I’m concerned he can do whatever the heck he wants with his own fireworks. Whether there are people on here who like him, or just like to argue about him because his political or religious views, people are still going to go to the fireworks. Whether YOU like it or not. As long as he’s getting the permission, and paying the dough for it. The amount of people bashing on it will not change anything either. If anything you’re just going to make the man more determined. For heavens sake. If you have something better than say it! And once you start saying it, do something about it! Have any of you voiced your opinions on the name to him? Last time i checked he doesn’t hear voices in the night from the Idahl Fallz online discussion site.
Relax Liz! There’s no hate involved here….only opinions! That what this site is all about. Expressing your thoughts, feelings and opinions. So what if somebody has an “opinion” on the name. Who cares? Does it affect you personally? I didn’t think so. So get over it already. Just because some people have an opinion on the name, doesn’t mean there’s hate involved. Don’t make it a bigger issue than it is for cryin out loud.
Let the people express their opinions. Just because YOU don’t agree with their opinions, doesn’t make them any less valid or important than YOUR opinions. We’re all adults here and we’ve all learned to agree to disagree on this site. You’re letting it get you all riled up and its really not that big a deal.
Okeydokey, so what are some things you liked about this year’s city festivities, what do you want to see continued in future years?
Anything that could be tweaked for the better? It doesn’t have to be major, just a little tweak can make a big difference, like the suggestion to move trailers a few feet so people standing in line are in shade instead of sun.
What are your ideas?
Oh, I thought of two things.
While we were at the festival on the falls, my wife observed the great way they blocked off all of Memorial, and suggested they do that for other festivals like the Snake River Roaring Youth Jam, or arts festivals, etc. Each time you block-off that area, you can bring in those vendors and those kiddie things and the band, and everyone enjoys it.
So a suggestion is to take that plan for the liberty festival and use it again for other greenbelt festivals. It was awesome.
My second idea is from the Boise Grove, where they have a neat fountain for kids to play in. It’s one of those where the jets shoot right out of the level ground, the same model is used in the Gateway Mall of Salt Lake City, across from the Apple store.
A fountain area like that built into the area would be lots of fun, and provide a nice place to hang out and drink your cold drinks while your kids splash in the fountain.
Of course my other idea was to just close off Memorial permanently, reroute traffic around that area somehow, and turn Memorial into a larger section of our existing greenbelt. But that’s probably a radical idea.
What did you like or dislike about this year’s city festivities?
To be quite honest i feel like i’m on e of the few who has actually not made a direct attack or comment towards a single person. But seriously, don’t worry. I’m perfectly “relaxed”. I was simply stating my opinion on the people who feel like bashing the fireworks.
Thanks.
But I was going to say, i like your Boise Grove idea joe.
Jodie…….
You didn’t need to mention LDS (in your first post), we all knew who you were trying to ‘insult’. It’s wonderful that we live in a country that allows us to speak our opinions so freely, a right defended by brave soldiers such as our fallen hero, Sgt. Stephens. These same heroes also stand up for those who would choose serve their Creator first, first because this free country they so loved gives those missionaries the right to do so. Sgt. Stephens returned home early from his mission so he could go fight, in case any one was unaware.
I see this is going to turn into another religion bash, so I will not dwell on it any further.
BTW, your shame is still intact.
FWIW, I think the fountain idea is a fantastic one!
Has anyone seen the Boise Grove fountains, or the Salt Lake City Gateway Mall fountains? It’s a paved plaza, with the fountain jets flush against the ground, so they just shoot up in the air a few feet. The SLC fountains are especially awesome because their jets can be choreographed to music.
We too! We too!
LR…
Hate to rain on your parade but I wasn’t shamed attending Blake’s funeral, I knew Blake through his parents, he was a great guy. I wasn’t “Bashing” any religion. I was stating my opinion of a certain local homophobic, hypocritcal, homophobic coward who thinks his money can buy everything, who didn’t step up for his country and used a religion to hide behind. Feel free to re-read my comments or …
Yes, Joe. I’ve seen the Gateway fountain. It is great fun for kids.
Gateway went with an expensive to match the decor of the mixed use development. But, I’m not sure one in I.F. would have to be quite as high end for the kids to have equally as much fun in it.
Then of course, if there’s a left over let odd piece of property in Taylor’s Crossing, one could always suggest a founctain like this for T.C. I think it would fit in there nicely.
I agree with your wife. Close off Memorial for all the major festivals. While it may hot be practice to close all of Memorial every day, how about a portion of it, so traffic went through downton (build business for businesses there, as they drove 2-3 blocks and then turned either north or south and eventually turned on a street back to Memorial Dr.
Maybe something like “B” through “D” for sure could be blocked off (or would that interfer with the courthouse and jail?).
It would be nice if the city could sponsor the blow up bouncy toys for the kids. I don’t know how much the whole 4th of July costs the city but to rent the toys wouldn’t be that much. $1 for a thirty second climb over seemed steep to me.
We had gone to a private party the day before and the hosts had rented three HUGE (much bigger than anything they had downtown) blowup toys (two had water features) from Boise. I don’t know how much they cost to rent but they had them set all day.
To Jodi in post # 6,
I think the creed is GOD, then COUNTY, then MARINE CORP. Don’t knock people who choose to serve their God. I’m sure Sgt Stevens wouldn’t.
I might have already mentioned this, but I miss the military aircraft flyovers that used to start the parade.
We used to get a jet or two, or even a helicopter to do a flyover. They came either from Mountain Home or Utah, but they were great.
It would be nice to see those flyovers again on the 4th.
Joe, Perhaps you need to find a sponsor for the ‘fly-overs’, I would imagine there would be a cost.
But I could be wrong…
So, if it is costly, who would you suggest sponsor the ‘fly-overs’ and what would it be called?
Good question. Who sponsored them in the past?
From my time in the military, I thought they just rearranged training flights to coincide with fourth of july city flyovers.
It’s not like a whole Blue Angels aerial acrobat show, the flyovers have just been one low pass over 4th street and Boulevard as the parade started.
It was cool. I’d like to see them again.
I’ll bet that Frank VanderSloot might make a flyover in his private jet if he could have naming rights to the parade.
LOL @ Just Me!
…rude comment Just Me…
Not really! They make a very good point!
I didn’t mean to tick anyone off by my comment. I was just trying to be funny. I tried to paste a smiley on the end but it didn’t work. Its a joke, everyone! Laugh!
I thought is was hilarious!
I’ve been to the Air Force Appreciation Day in Mountain Home, Idaho. The jets do a fly over there, it’s pretty amazing.
I find it interesting that when one person does well in life or in business that they become the target for as much flack as some individuals can give. Mr. Vandersloot and Melaleuca for whatever reason seems to get a heck of a lot of this from people here in the region. Regardless of his or his companies dealings, what he and his company continue to do for the IF area is pretty amazing. When others are not willing to step in and spend the money to get things done they come through.
We have one of the best Firework shows in the nation thanks to Melaleuca. If they want to call it by their name they have every right too. I notice that no one is slamming Edge Wireless for having the the Edge Wireless Liberty Fesival by the Falls. Private business colaboration with community events happens all over the nation. Has anyone happened to have watched any college football bowl games recently?
Personally I thought the 4th of July events were fantastic and they will continue to be as long as we have great corporations that are willing to work with our city to bring them to fruition.
Its easy to tell who the Melaleuca employees in this thread are.
This is the company by the man who had employees personally track down anyone who made negative Scout comments in the Post Register in order to harass them, er correct their thinking. So yeah, its not much of a stretch to think these same employees are going to post pro Melaleuca propaganda here.
That’s funny. I don’t know if any are cuz I don’t track users down. I can vouch that at least when I worked there, most all Melaleuca employees drank the kool-aid.
I almost wince to say it cuz I don’t want to start a flurry, but it was my opinion even when working there. Hey I drank it too and was a huge cheerleader for awhile.
I just recall when the whole Kim Hansen / Scout controversy was going on that many of those who wrote negative letters to the paper would soon start getting phone calls from employees of Melaleuca at the direction of Frank. Or so they claimed in subsequent letters to the editor. No claimed to be threatened or anything like that. But the employees were very persistent in trying to talk the letter writers out of further letters and out of criticizing Hansen / the Scouts.
Alpineguy… it looks as though your words are falling on deaf ears.
This WAS a thread about the 4th of July Celebrations and essentially how we celebrated our Independance Day and what we would like to see improved on for next year.
Frankly, I would like to see more gratitude.
We are a very blessed Nation and people. Perhaps we should learn and study more about our Founding Fathers dreams and why they believed so passionatly about living in a free country.
What were they thinking, how did they do it, and where has that passion gone?
Thanks Community Resident for catching onto what I was trying to get across. We are a county that has been built on the basis of hard work and people who were willing to dream of success. It is because of those dreams that some business’ come to a point where they can give back to the people and communities who make them successful. Such is the case with the 4th of July Festivites. Idaho Falls is blessed to have many business’ that give back to the community in a significant way.
It is interesting based on that premise that some here only want to try and accuse unjustly someone for thier support of these companies who give generously to move events in this community ahead.
As far as suggestions for the 4th of July Festivites.. The fly over would be a nice return. I am also a huge supporter of the “crackdown” on businesses who don’t follow the rules in entering the parade. Our business entered a float and it took many hours to put together. I was disappointed to see others that took the easy way out. We need to have a stricter entry policy and the boot for those who don’t follow it.
FYI.. for “Guest”… I do not work for Melaleuca but I have many friends and neighbors who do. Not all of them love their job but I know that they all appreciate the employment they receive. I also know that most businesses in our community appreciate the economic funnel that Melalueca brings to our area.
Graditude is usally much harder master than contempt.