Carlee Wright|Statesman Journal
Oregon is teeming with things to do to celebrate America. Here’s a look at four of the highlights happening in and around the valley.
Salem
Salem’s Fourth of July festivities are getting a face lift. This year, in addition to the fireworks and food, Northwest Broadway Production presents a musical celebration dubbed the Capital City Spectacular.
The event will feature entertainment in the pavilion at the south meadow side of the park from 1 to 7 p.m. plus a concert at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks will take to the sky around 10 p.m.
The concert will feature patriotic songs, classical pops and special guests with a full symphonic orchestra. The lineup includes the Willamette Master Chorus, Capital City Singers and Capital City Spectacular Orchestra with members of the Oregon Symphony, Salem Philharmonia, Oregon Ballet Orchestra and Sistine Chapel veterans Roy and Rosemary, plus Jonathan Hawkins and Heather Lundstedt, Kenny Munshawand conductor David Hastings.
There will be food vendors, so you can grab lunch, dinner or a snack. Or feel free to bring your own; picnics are permitted, but alcohol is not.
Cost is $3 for main park entrance. Reserved seating for the evening concert costs $20 and includes main park entrance. Children younger than 2 will be admitted into the concert free of charge. Tickets can be purchased online, for a service feeor at Roth’s Fresh Markets.
Festivities take place at Riverfront Park, 101 Front St. NE. For information, go tonorthwestbroadway.com.
Lincoln City
Venture to the coast to celebrate the stars and stripes.
At Gleneden Beach, south of Lincoln City, there will be a pancake breakfast, craft fair and parade. The breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Gleneden Beach Community Club, 110 Azalea St. Cost is $6 or$3 for ages 4 to 10. A craft fair featuring arts, food and live music will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eden Hall, 6675 Gleneden Beach Loop Road. The 22nd Annual Fourth of July Parade will begin at 1 p.m. following a route through the Gleneden Beach community. See the parade route map atoregoncoast.org/4th-of-july-celebration.
A fireworks display will begin at dusk over Siletz Bay in the historic Taft District. The fireworks, which will be electronically fired this year, will feature computer-timed launches and music synchronization.
While there is parking in the area, a shuttle service will be in operation from 6 p.m. to midnight. Itwill stop at Oregon Coast Community College and Taft High School.
For information, call 800-452-2151 or go tooregoncoast.org.
Oregon Garden
Celebrate a day early. The Oregon Garden’s annual July 3rd Celebration features yoga classes, family activities, geocaching and music topped off with an evening fireworks display this year.
Relax with yoga by Samantha Wiesner of Dream Big Yoga in an all-experience level class at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. A limited number of mats will be available.
Or try geocaching, a treasure hunt that involves using geographical coordinates to search for a cache with a GPS device. Official geocaches will go online at 9 a.m. Between 2 and 8 p.m., there will be an introduction to geocaching with guided beginner instruction at the Pavilion.
Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. A barbecue dinner hosted by the Oregon Garden Resort will take place 5 to 8 p.m. in the Wedding Garden. Cost is $8.75 to $17.50 in advance. Purchase online at the Oregon Garden website. Space is limited, soadvance purchase is recommended. If tickets remain on day of event, cost will be $20 or $10 ages 12 and younger.
The Flextones will perform from 7 to 10 p.m.in the Silverton Market Gardenand then following the fireworks until 11:30 p.m. For best perspective, the garden recommends viewing from the Silverton Market Garden and Axis Garden.
Seating is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Low lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Tall chairs are allowed but will be required to set up in the back to ensureviewing for all guests. No pets after 6 p.m.
Cost is $8 to $14 and free for ages 4 and younger, Silverton residents and Oregon Garden members. After 6 p.m., admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 per family to help cover the cost of fireworks. Onsite parking is $5 after 6 p.m., but there will be a free shuttle from various Silverton locations between 6 and 11:30 p.m. if you want to save your cash and park off site.
For information, call 503-874-8100 or go tooregongarden.org.
Independence
Take part in an old-fashion Fourth of July celebration at Western Days, a four-day celebration beginning July 1 in Independence.
With a carnival, vendors, activities, contests and live entertainment, Western Days is fun for the whole family. Catch a movie in the park on July 1 when“Jurassic World” isshown at 10 p.m. July 2 is Hometown Appreciation Day and features a watermelon eating contest at 4 p.m., plus entertainment by Diva Dance at 7 p.m. and Petty Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band, at 8:30 p.m. followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. The carnival and vendors continues on July 3,and entertainment includes country rocker Aaron Crawford at 6 p.m. followed by the traditional Latino of Romance at 8:30 p.m. The movie “McFarland” will show at 10 p.m.
July 4 features a mini marathon and parade for kids at 11:30 a.m. followed by the annual Fourth of July parade at noon. Infamous Souls will play classic rock at 8 p.m. with a fireworks display at 10.
On the nights there are fireworks, there is a cost of $1 for each person over the age of 6. Activities take place at Riverview Park in Independence. For information, go towesterndays.net.
Email cwright2@StatesmanJournal.com, call 503-399-6671, or follow on Twitter @CarleeWrightSJ
Here's what else is happening for Fourth of July
MonmouthJuly 4th Festival:Hometown Stars and Stripesemphasizes the arts and includes music, dance, theater, crafts for kids and an art show, July 2-4, plus Children’s Mini Parade and Grand Parade on July 4, Main Street Park, 120 Main St. E.Free.Ci.monmouth.or.us.
Annual Celebrate Freedom Services:Honor our great nation and show gratitude to those who have faithfully served in the Armed Forces throughout the years with church services that will feature musical presentations by the Peoples Church choir and celebration orchestra, a color guard and a keynote message from Lieutenant Chaplain Ryan Krause,10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. July 3, followed by a community picnic,Peoples Church, 4500 Lancaster Drive NE.Free. 503-304-4000,Peopleschurch.com.
Dallas Freedomfest:Food vendors open at 5 p.m., with live music by the Swamp Donkeys from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk, Roger Jordan Community Park, 1005 SE LaCreole Drive.Exploredallasoregon.org.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes vs. Vancouver Canadians:Patriotic Tribute Night, with the Volcanoes thanking, honoring and salutingthe brave men and women of our Armed Forces, 6:35 p.m., with fireworks to follow,Volcanoes Stadium, 6700 Field of Dreams Way NE. 503-390-2225,Milb.com.
Mill City 4th of July Events:Mill City Lions Club breakfast, 7 to 11 a.m. at Santiam High School; Rick Posekany Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk, 8 a.m. at Santiam High School; Mill City Grand Parade, noon; Bed Races, 1 p.m. at Santiam High School; andfestival grounds opening at 9 a.m. at Kimmel Park with fireworks at dusk. Cost for breakfast; registration fee for Fun Run/Walk.Staytonevents.com.
Stayton 4th of July Events:Stayton Old-Time Fun Run and Walk, 8 a.m. at Stayton Community Center, 500 W Burnett St.; Stayton Grand Parade, 4 p.m. starting at Regis High School; and fireworks at 10 p.m. at Stayton High School; activities start at 5:30 p.m.; dinner and snack concession stands run from 6 to 10 p.m. Cost for breakfast and dinner; registration fee for Fun Run and Walk.Staytonevents.com.
