By Mary Owen
July is busting out all over, and one of the biggest bangs is Stayton’s Fourth of July celebration that will honor Oregon’s 150th birthday.
“We want everyone to bring their flags,” organizers are promoting. “If you’re in the parade, bring it, and if you’re watching the parade, then fly it.”
Celebrating the state’s sesquicentennial, the Stayton Middle School festivities will include a chuck wagon breakfast, fun run, kids’ games and the annual fireworks display.
The Stayton Road Runners’ 10K Run-3K Walk/Run will have last year’s record holders vying for top spots. The popular Fourth of July event begins with registration at 8 a.m. at Stayton Community Center, and the race starts an hour later. Cost to enter is $5 and runners under 18 will need a parent’s signature. Ribbons will be awarded to the finishers in five-year age groups in each race. Proceeds will benefit the National Kidney Foundation. For information, call Brent Mobley at 769-4544.
8 a.m. – noon: Habitat for Humanity’s pancake breakfast at Stayton Elementary School. $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for kids 6-12 and seniors 65 and over and free for children under 5. All proceeds will go toward Habitat’s Stayton project.
4 – 6 p.m.: The Grand Parade, “A Celebration of Oregon’s 150th Birthday,” from Regis Street to Stayton High School.
6 – 8 p.m.: Kids 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 ManaRay’s concession stand and Moose Lodge’s 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 and the Tourists perform music from the ’50s to the ’80s.
Dusk: For more than 30 years, Stayton Lions Club has treated the community to a dazzling fireworks display. The 45-minute display is funded by group and individual donations, collected at donation cans located at Rotary Fireworks booths at McDonald’s and Stayton’s Ace Hardware through July 4. For information, call 503-769-6000.
No personal fireworks or alcohol will be allowed on the Stayton High School grounds. Bring chairs and blankets to the event.Sponsors: Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company, with help from the Stayton Lions, Stayton Moose, Stayton Rotary, KENC Radio, Stayton Printing, Canyon Advertiser and Community News, West Coast Bank and many local volunteers. To get involved, call Dinah Potter at 503-769-8920.
In Mill City
Mill City will celebrate the Fourth with a bangup fireworks at Kimmel Park. The show starts at dusk.
