The Ontario community will host high school band members from Mulheim, Germany, for its Fourth of July celebration.
Through the Blue Lake international exchange program, Big Band Luisenschule will take part in Ontario’s celebration. While in Ontario, they will march in the Fourth of July parade at 12 noon and give a concert at 4 p.m. on the Ontario Community Hall deck. Some band members also will take part in the Ontario talent show at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3, following the Kids’ and Pet Parade at 6:30 p.m. The Ontario Community Club is organizing their stay in the area.
The group is “internationally known and excited about coming to a small Midwestern village to help celebrate American Independence Day,” according to a press release prepared by the Ontario Community Club.
Members of the 40-member youth group will stay in private homes during their visit.
Ontario also will be the site of a Rendezvous on the Kickapoo River from Friday through Sunday. The campers will re-enact the fur-trade lifestyle of the 1700s. Other activities on Saturday include horse-drawn wagon rides, food, crafts, a flea market, a pie and ice cream social, kids’ games, a sand volleyball tournament, and kids’ softball games.
A pancake breakfast will be in the Ontario Community Hall from 7–10 a.m., and the Run for Fun starts at 8 a.m., followed by the kids’ run at 9 a.m.
The American Legion Auxiliary chicken barbecue starts at 11 a.m., before the noon parade. The MiniPullers Garden Tractor Pull will be at 2 p.m., and a pedal tractor pull at 5:30 p.m.
The theme for the celebration and parade entries is “The Hills are Alive with Music.”
Following the 4 p.m. Big Band Luisenschule Concert, Tor Eness and Friends will provide musical entertainment leading up to fireworks at dusk. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music and fireworks on the village square. Thanks to the Ontario Community Action Club, all activities are open to the public for free or freewill offering.