Gillette Celebrates Fourth Of July With Flyovers, Parade And 4,000 Free Hot Dogs

GILLETTE — Fire danger may have killed Gillette’s annual fireworks show Saturday, but didn’t stop the city from celebrating America’s 250th like it’s always celebrated the Fourth of July — loud, proud, and with thousands of free hot dogs.

Gillette kicked off a day of celebration with a giant pancake feed at Campbell County’s main fire station as a record 118 floats prepared to parade nearby.

This year’s procession, which ran east to west on Highway 14/16, included a woman walking while holding two snakes, a full band, dozens of horses and many more creative floats.

And locals were dresses in their best red, white and blue.

Two of the most patriotic-looking parade-goers became friends working at the local Sonic fast-food restaurant. They dyed each other’s hair red and blue the night prior.

“I’m not very political,” said 14-year-old Reagen Arguello. “I don’t really believe in politics. But I wanted to be here in support of our fallen soldiers and to celebrate our country’s history.”

Foster Golightly, 17, was decked out in a full-flag jumpsuit under red, white and blue swim trunks — and Spider-Man socks.

“This is the only holiday I enjoy,” said the Thunder Basin High School student. “I have a lot of pride in my country. I think we do a lot of good. We do a lot of bad, also.

“But we should always celebrate what we’ve done for other countries and for ourselves. It’s about gaining our freedom! If we hadn’t done that, our world would go nowhere.”

Party Like It’s 1776

Nearly an hour before the town’s famous outdoor party started at Bicentennial Park, people were already forming a huge line.

Campbell County Parks and Recreation estimated 4,000 free hot dogs were scarfed down throughout the afternoon.

The dog-friendly park — a massive 80 acres containing baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, picnic tables, shelters, tennis courts and walking paths — also offers ample shade trees, tables and shelters for people to host their own picnics.

On Saturday, there was ice cream, cotton candy and cold-drink vendors while a disc jockey kept hours of music playing.

All afternoon, fans watched a mud volleyball tournament, strongman and strongwoman competitions, a pie-eating contest, and a lineup of games for kids — including a busy slip-n-slide set up on a hill.

‘I Love Hot Dogs’

One of the first to the party was 75-year-old Susan Recker, who has lived in Gillette 40 years and been to all 40 Independence Day celebrations. That includes 2020, when the city went forward with its plans while cities and towns across the U.S. were cancelling theirs.

“I love it,” she said. “It brings out the kid in me!”

Her friend Early Blohm, 77, laughed and said the real kids were making sure grandma got her hands on plenty of candy.

He and Recker then made their way to the American Legion, where free brats and burgers were being grilled near a live band set up out in the street.

Over at Bicentennial Park, the music was held up for a moment while the deejay shared the microphone with U.S. Sen. John Barrasso. The longtime senator and orthopedic surgeon from Casper had chosen to celebrate the holiday in Gillette.

“I love hot dogs,” he said.

Barasso told the crowd about the advice his father — a veteran — gave him: always thank God they live in America.

He also said he relished celebrating with people who “keep the lights on and the food on the table.”

Chancey Plays For Trump

Barrasso also told Cowboy State Daily that Crook County country-music artist Chancey Williams had played for President Trump the night prior at Mount Rushmore.

“The president had invited me, but I was in Cody last night at the rodeo,” said Barrasso, who sent Williams an attaboy text.

Williams’ band, featuring breakout violinist Brooke Latka, on Friday revived a rain-soaked crowd as the sun set behind the four former presidents carved into Mount Rushmore.

Then came military flyovers and “USA!” chants before the president spoke to roughly 4,800 ticket-holders from around the world.

A First Fourth Of July

In Gillette, the Fourth of July festivities were the first for 12-year-old Danika Pretorius, who has only lived in America since March.

The Sage Valley Junior High seventh grader was decked out in a patriotic hat and shorts with matching sunglasses. Danika and her brother Eckhard, with their parents Rubin and Leana, just moved to Gillette from South Africa.

“We had friends here and finally decided we’d move here for a better future for our kids,” said Leana, in a soft accent. “This is really special for us. You can feel the emotion and the proudness of it all.”