Fireworks: We the People, fly the flag

Mill City

Mill City’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July theme this year is “Fourth with the Family.”

“Fourth of July is always a time when I see folks who come home to be with their family,” said Susann Heller, parade chair. “The theme is perfect!”

A craft fair with food vendors, displays, a cake walk, pie eating and baking contests, and much more will kick off the weekend’s festivities starting late afternoon on Thursday, July 3 at the Kimmel Park Festival Grounds. The Wooden Nickel will provide eats and a beer garden, and a street dance is 7 to 10 p.m. at the city hall parking lot. Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. Children must be with an adult.

“We have a pretty good turnout each year,” Heller said. “There are always fun things going on for a variety of ages. ”

On Friday, July 4, festivities kick off in Mill City with the Lions Club Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., with food available from the Wooden Nickel at Kimmel Park. Cost for the breakfast is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.

The Grand Parade begins at noon.

“There is a new parade route this year, and maps are available at city hall,” Heller said. “This year, we’re rerouting traffic so that it moves around the parade route. The parade ends at Kimmel Park so that people can take part in the activities there.”

The Reckless Rockhounds will perform 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fireworks presented by the Mill City Volunteer Fire Department begin at dusk, around 10 p.m.

On Saturday, July 5, Kimmel Park activities include a horseshoe tourney at noon. The 37th annual Mutt Show will be held noon to 2 p.m. in the park followed by old-fashioned family games at 3 p.m. A crawfish feed by the Wooden Nickel starts at 3 p.m. Ian McFeron & Band will perform from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to close out the day.

For information, call 503-897-2302 or visit city hall at 228 SW Broadway St., Mill City.


Detroit

This year’s Fireworks Over the Lake at Detroit Lake falls on Saturday, July 5.

“The fireworks display will be a little bit bigger this year, but take up the same amount of time,” said Bob Franz, a member of Detroit Lake Recreation Area Business Association, the event’s major sponsor.

On Friday, July 4, people can enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks at the annual pre-fireworks extravaganza and fundraiser, held 5-11 p.m. at 455 Clester Road, across from Kane’s Marina. Live music will complement the barbecue, which, Franz said, is family-friendly.

Funds raised at Detroit’s annual Cruise In and Fishing Derby help to cover costs. Local residents, businesses and clubs also sponsor the popular fireworks show.

“Sponsorships are accepted directly for the fireworks as well,” Franz said.

Franz wants to get the word out early that next year, Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, and so as not to compete with Mill City’s annual three-day celebration, Fireworks Over the Lake will take place on the following weekend, with the barbecue on July 10 and fireworks on July 11.

Fireworks Over the Lake causes the town to swell from a few hundred to thousands.

“People come from all over,” Franz said. “The hotels, motels and campgrounds fill, and the town is bustling with activity.”

The fireworks start about 10 p.m. just southeast of Kane Marina. South Shore and Cove Creek campgrounds and the state park are good areas for viewing.

“Viewers who don’t own lakefront property can get a better view from the high school grounds or from some of the areas along Santiam Avenue,” Franz said. “Viewers who used the day-use area at the end of Detroit Road South had their view blocked by trees and other obstacles. Viewing from a boat is still the optimal way to see the fireworks.”

For  information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.detroitlakeoregon.org. 


Stayton

There’s something comforting and even welcoming about a tradition – like knowing once again brilliant bursts of color will sparkle in the night sky over Stayton Middle School on the Fourth of July.

For more than three decades, the Stayton Lions Club has treated the community to a dazzling fireworks display attracting thousands of viewers from throughout the Santiam Canyon and beyond. Donations from individuals, groups and businesses help fund the 30-minute show.

While the day concludes with fireworks, it begins at 7 a.m. with the Habitat for Humanity chuck wagon breakfast.

It continues with 9 a.m. annual Stayton Fun Run and Walk to benefit the National Kidney Foundation. Both the 10K and 3K runs and 3K walk will take place on asphalt surfaces; a 5K trail run adds to the fun. The event is sponsored by the Stayton Road Runners with help from Boy Scout Troop 50.

The race begins with registration at 8 a.m. at the Stayton Community Center, with the race starting an hour later. Cost to enter is $15 on the day of the race and runners under 18 will need a parent’s signature to participate.  Coupons for the local pancake breakfast will be awarded. Gallagher Fitness Resources drawings will be held.

For information on the fun run, call Dave Phelps at 503-559-8306.

Then it’s on  to the Grand Parade. The attire and accessories for the event?

“We want everyone to bring their flags,” said Dinah Potter, an event organizers. “If you’re in the parade, bring it, and if you’re watching the parade, then fly it. We’re celebrating our state and our country this year with the theme ‘We the People!’”

The Grand Parade lines up on Regis Street starting at 1:30 p.m., with judging at 3 p.m. and ribbons presented to all winners before the parade begins at 4 p.m. Civic and service groups and businesses and individuals will parade through town with prizes for top participants, with entry categories ranging from cars, floats and horses to marching bands, “all depicting how Americans have celebrated the Fourth through the years,” Potter said.

Parade entry applications are available at the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce and Stayton and Sublimity city halls.

Potter encourages people to become a fan of the “Stayton 4th of July” page on Facebook to get updates as they happen throughout the festivities.

“We will be posting any changes as well as photos as things happen throughout the day,” she said.

For information, call 503-769-8920 or visit www.staytonjuly4th.org.