Fireworks Wednesday at Mina, Richmond

Mina Lake will have its annual Freedom Festival Wednesday, while Richmond Lake has its annual July celebration Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday (July 3, 4, 6).

The common denominator is that both groups will have fireworks displays Wednesday night. Mina Lake will have its boat parade Wednesday night, while the Richmond Lake boat parade is Thursday.

All of the Freedom Festival events take place Wednesday at Mina Lake. That event, presented by the Mina Lake Celebrations committee, has a new activity: a kids’ fishing event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to children up to age 15.

“This will be an opportunity for a parent to bring a child out and give them an opportunity for a few hours of fun,” George Kessler, a member of the Mina Lake Celebrations committee, said in a news release.

To present the Kids Fishing for Freedom outing, organizers have teamed up with the Northeast South Dakota Walleye Club, Glacial Lakes Energy of Mina and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.

All kids must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents are asked to bring a fishing rod. Rods will be provided to those without. The Walleye Club has secured local sponsors to provide tackle and bait. Parents are asked to bring children to the Mina Lake east boat ramp area on Nesbitt Drive. A hot dog lunch will be provided during the event.

The seventh annual Freedom Festival boat parade has a Disney theme. Registration begins at 6 p.m. at the Wakeside Bar and Grill docks. The boat parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m., has no entry fee. Judging, by the spectators, begins about 7:30 p.m. A total of $400 in prize money will be awarded.

The Aqua Addicts will present their ski show at 7:45 p.m. Junebug of Minneapolis will start performing at 9 p.m. at the Wakeside patio. The fireworks extravaganza starts at 10:05 p.m.

“To give you an idea of the fireworks show planned, it is the same show that thousands have seen in recent years at the Brown County Fair,” Kessler said in the press release. “We will be launching from the old Highway 12 bridge, so the bridge will be closed on that day at 3 p.m. for setup.”

Music resumes at the Wakeside following the fireworks.

All evening events may be viewed from the Wakeside patio area. No coolers are allowed at the spectator site. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

At Richmond Lake, the fireworks show begins at dusk Wednesday. It will be preceded by a flying show from the Aberdeen Area Modelaires. In case of rain, the makeup date for fireworks will be Friday.

The Modelaires will return Thursday for the annual boat parade, which starts at 2 p.m. Participants should gather at 1:45 p.m. at the west boat ramp.

Saturday’s schedule includes a poker run from 1 to 6 p.m. Headquarters is Anchors Away.

The Aqua Addicts will perform at 7 p.m.