In addition to fireworks, the city of Marshall is planning on having some extra musical fun at this year’s July 4 celebrations.

Next Friday, dueling pianos group Duel Purpose will be performing at Independence Park.

“It’s something just a little bit different,” said Marshall community education coordinator Jasmine DeSmet. The Sioux-Falls based piano group will bring “some high-energy” entertainment to the Independence Day celebrations, DeSmet said.

“They take different requests from the audience. It’s very interactive,” he said.

DeSmet said organizers are also looking forward to having the Marshall City Band perform, and for a fireworks display Friday night.

“It’s always the showcase of our event,” she said.

Celebrations will start at Independence Park at 5:30 p.m. on July 4, with food vendors in the park. The City Band will perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by Duel Purpose at 7:45 p.m. Fireworks will start at 10:15 p.m.

Last year, the city had to postpone Independence Day events due to rainy weather. DeSmet said the city is keeping an eye on the weather for this year’s celebrations as well. Updates will be posted on the city’s website and Facebook page, she said.

Fireworks and more

Other communities around southwest Minnesota will also be holding fireworks displays over the July 4 weekend. On July 3, Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort near Granite Falls will hold a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Outdoor food trucks will be open starting at 5 p.m.

In Currie, a fireworks display will be held at dusk on Independence Day. The display will come at the end of a day full of activities like volleyball and bean bag tournaments, and duck races at the Des Moines River bridge in Currie.

In Ruthton, area residents will be celebrating with a Fourth of July parade at 11 a.m. Friday. Following the parade, people can enjoy lunch in the park, with food donated by community organizations. Activities like a kiddie tractor pull, a car show and more are also planned Friday afternoon.

In some area communities, Independence Day will fall right in the middle of weekend community festivals. Area residents are preparing for Fun Fest in Balaton, the Town & Country celebration in Currie and Summerfest in Hendricks. A fireworks display is planned in Balaton on July 3.

Balaton Fun Fest

Balaton’s community festival kicks off Thursday night with the Litl’l Miss and Lit’l Mister Balaton program at Victory Church. The night will culminate with a fireworks display by Respyro at 10 p.m. at Eastbay.

Activities at Fun Fest will continue Friday through Sunday. A community burger feed, kids’ inflatables, and a junior bean bag tournament will all be taking place Friday evening. Saturday is the biggest day of the festival, with events like a rib cookoff, a car show, kids’ events, and “oarless canoe races” on Lake Yankton. Teams in the canoe races will paddle their hardest with their hands and feet to try and get the fastest time.

The Fun Fest Grand Parade will be at 2 p.m. Saturday. From 3-6 p.m., a Balaton High School reunion will be held at the Balaton Community Center. Saturday’s activities will wrap up with the firemen’s street dance, featuring music by HickTown Mafia.

Events on the final day of Fun Fest will include a community church service at Victory Church, and bean bag and pickleball tournaments at Legion-Lion Park.

Currie Town & Country Celebration

Currie’s summer festival will also be held July 3-5. The weekend starts out with a street dance on Thursday night, featuring music by IV Play. On Independence Day, Currie will have activities including a Fourth of July picnic, kids’ inflatables, and volleyball and bean bag tournaments at City Park. Fireworks will start at dusk.

On July 5, the fourth annual flea market and vendor fair will start up in downtown Currie. The vendor fair will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hendricks Summerfest

The community of Hendricks will be celebrating over the July 4 weekend with community programs, parades and more. Summerfest will start Thursday afternoon, with a bike parade and a beanbag tournament. On Friday morning, Hendricks will present its annual Community Spirit Award at Veterans Memorial Park, followed by a talent show at noon.

The Lake Hendricks Improvement Association will hold a boat parade on Lake Hendricks at 2 p.m. Saturday. Later in the afternoon, teams will face off in a “Pizza, Pints & Puzzles” competition.

Community events continue on Saturday at Summerfest. At 2:30 p.m., the Lincoln County Pioneer Museum will open a time capsule buried during the Hendricks Centennial in 2000.

From 5-7 p.m., the Hendricks School will hold an all-school reunion. A street dance featuring music by Eclipse will bring Saturday night to a close.

On Sunday, Summerfest events will include an outdoor church service at Veterans Memorial Park, and a golf cart scavenger hunt on Main Street.