Editor’s Note: July is busting out all over. There are events every weekend and lots of free things for families to share. This edition of Our Town is designed to help you make the most of your summer. We hope you have the oppoortunity to enjoy being in an area where community counts.
“Land of the Free and Home of the Brave” is the theme for this year’s Fourth of July extravaganza in Stayton.
“Flags and patriotic music will abound during the day’s activities,” said Dinah Potter, one of the organizers.
Civic and service groups, businesses and individuals will parade through town from 4 to 6 p.m. with prizes for top participants. The Grand Parade will have entry categories ranging from cars, floats and horses to marching bands, all depicting how Americans have celebrated the Fourth through the years, Potter said.
A chuck wagon breakfast, fun run, kids’ games, old-fashioned barbecue and dinner precede the annual fireworks display, promised to be one of the best ever, according to Jack Fiske of the Stayton Lions Club, sponsors of the display.
Always a popular event, the Stayton Road Runners’ 10K Run-3K Run/Walk for Hope will benefit the National Kidney Foundation again this year. Jonathan Clark, a runner and an attorney with Duncan, Tiger and Neigel in Stayton, is the race director this year.
The men’s course record holder, Matthew Barnhart of Eugene, will be the one to beat, according to spokesman Brent Mobley.
“The Stayton Roadrunners keep this event alive because it’s part of the wonderful small-town community Fourth of July celebration,” Mobley said. “Stayton is a great place to be on Independence Day.”
According to the official club invitation, miles are marked and the courses are challenging for all runners – competitive, fun and walker. It begins with registration at 8 a.m. at the Stayton Community Center, with the race starting an hour later. Cost to enter is $8 on the day of the race, and runners under 18 will need a parent’s signature to participate. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in five-year age groups in each race. For information, call Mobley at 763-1807.
Browse the activities lbelow for new and returning activities:
7a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Habitat for Humanity will host its SLAMMS’ Chuck Wagon Breakfast at Stayton Elementary School. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children under 10 and seniors 65 and older. Proceeds go toward Habitat’s projects and donations will be accepted toward the next home to be built in Mill City.
4-6 p.m.: The Grand Parade, “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave,” will wind through town from Regis Street south along First Avenue, west on Washington Street, north on Gardner and right on Regis. Staging begins at 1 p.m. with judging at 3 p.m.
6-8 p.m.: Kids ages 2-10 can win prizes and have fun at the games while families picnic on the Stayton Middle School grounds or enjoy a hot dog, popcorn, cotton candy, Sno-cone or other snack from the Manta Ray’s concession stand. The Moose Lodge will be serving up barbecued pulled-pork sandwiches, potato salad and barbecued beans.
6-8 p.m.: Wanna-be singers can croon to tunes put on by Gary Baker Karaoke.
8-10 p.m.: JT & the Tourists perform music from the ’50s to the ‘80s
Dusk: Fireworks! For more than 30 years, the Stayton Lions Club has treated the community to a dazzling display, attracting thousands of viewers from throughout the Santiam Canyon and beyond. The 45-minute show is funded by group and individual donations, collected at cans displayed at Rotary Fireworks booths through July 4. Donations can be made at the registration desk for the parade, or mailed to Stayton Lions Club. 4th of July, P.O. Box 98, Stayton OR 97383. For information, call Jack Fiske at 503-769-6000.
No personal fireworks or alcohol allowed on the school grounds. You are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to the event.
The celebration is sponsored by the Stayton Fourth of July Committee, which includes members of the Stayton Lions, Moose, Rotary, and Road Runners clubs, Stayton Printing, Stayton Cooperative Telephone Co., West Coast Bank, Canyon Advertiser, and local volunteers. For information, call Potter at 503-769-8920.
