25th anniversary

July 4th celebration

The tradition continues as Chanhassen residents prepare once more for the city’s July 4th celebration, which begins on Thursday, July 3, at 3:30 p.m. and lasts until the fireworks finale at 10 p.m. Friday, July 4. As a bonus, there will be a softball tournament at Lake Ann Park for two days following. Other activities are in City Center Park and Lake Ann Park.  ThursdayBusiness Expo: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., free, more than 40 businesses and organizations, City Center ParkCarnival rides: 3:30 p.m. to midnight, unlimited ride wrist bands, $15, individual rides cost $2.50 to $3, City Center ParkAirbrush tattoos, face painting, caricatures, wacky hairdos: 3:30 to 8 p.m., $3 to $15, City Center ParkWater wars: 3:30 to 10 p.m., the wetter, the better, $3 per bucket, City Center ParkKiddie games: 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., hosted by Chanhassen summer staff, 25 cents per game, City Center ParkTaste of Chanhassen and Chanhassen Rotary beer and wine: 3:30 p.m. to midnight, samples from local restaurants, City Center ParkSpeedway racing: 3:30 to 10 p.m., Micro-Reality stock car racing, $3, City Center ParkThe Medicine Show: 4:30 to 7 p.m., roving vaudeville show, free, City Center ParkPony Rides: 4:40 to 8:30 p.m., free, City Center ParkSummer skateboard series: 5 p.m., skaters from around Twin Cities, compete for points, $5 registration fee, Skate ParkKaptain Kirby train rides: 5 to 8 p.m., mini train ride, free, City Center ParkKiddie parade: 5:30 t0 6 p.m., wagons, bikes, trikes, strollers, parade route from West 76th Street to Market Boulevard, freeChalk it up: 6 to 8 p.m., prizes awarded for most creative and most difficult designs in two age groups, open to groups or individuals, free, City Center Park hockey rinkTae Kwon Do demo: 6 p.m., board breaking, self-defense demonstration, freeFree-throw fun: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., open to kids 6 to 15, freeChanJam ’08 champions: 6 to 6:45 p.m., Karmel from Chaska High School, free, City Center Park Street dance: 7 p.m. to midnight, Casablanca Orchestra, music from the 60s and today, freeFridayAdult fishing contest: 7:30 to 10 a.m., $20 (preregistration required; 50 participants max), Lake AnnOutdoor quilt show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, downtown ChanhassenKids fishing festival: 11 a.m. to noon, free (preregistration required, groups 5 to 9 years and 10 to 15 years, Lake Ann PierSand sculpture contest: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., judging at 1:30 p.m., free, Lake Ann BeachTreasure hunt: 11 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m., free, Lake Ann Beach Concession buildingClassic car and tractor show: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., free, City Center Park (upper City Hall parking lot — new location) Taste of Chanhassen: plus Chanhassen Rotary beer and wine concessions, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., fees vary by restaurant, City Center Park, Carnival rides: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., City Center ParkParade: 2:30 to 4 p.m., free, downtown ChanhassenLive music: 4 to 6 p.m., free, City Center Park25th anniversary mini-carnival: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., field #3, $.25 cents per activity, classic carnival games, an inflatable obstacle course and a moon bounce, Lake Ann ParkLive music: 6:30 to 9 p.m., free, Lake Ann Park, Parkview Picnic ShelterFireworks Spectacular: 10 p.m., free, Lake Ann ParkSaturday and SundayChanhassen Lions softball tournament: Lake Ann Park