Ontario is busy making preparations for its annual July 4 bash, whose theme this year is “Let Freedom Ring.”
The village put on an abbreviated celebration last year during the Covid-19 pandemic, but this year’s event will mark the return of a full roster of activities, including a tractor pull, a talent show, the kids’ and pet parade, cowboy church, a car show, music, and, of course, the annual Fourth of July fireworks.
The weekend will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday with a farm and antique-tractor pull beside Wildcat Bar & Grill on Main Street. The event is designed as a charity pull for Rhett Flaten, a 4-year-old Ontario boy who is in treatment for Ewing sarcoma. He is the son of Kyle and Katie (Gibson) Flaten.
That evening, the talent show will start at 6:30 p.m. on the former Ontario Community Hall deck, with Tor Eness’ cowboy church country music gospel convening at 7:30 p.m. Along with Eness, JP Olson, Eric Nofsinger, Stuart Thayer and Frank Randle will perform.
On Sunday, the parade is set for noon; and the fireworks, 9:30 p.m. in the village square.
During the entire weekend, Rendezvous on the Kickapoo will be offered at the canoe landing on County Highway P. There, campers in 1700s-style dress will reenact the fur-trade lifestyle.
