There are plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day in Central Oregon on Wednesday.
Residents all over the region will have the opportunity to see firework shows in:
• Bend at 10 p.m.; Pilot Butte State Park.
• Madras at 10 p.m.; Sahalee Park at Seventh and B streets
• Prineville at 10 p.m.; the viewpoint off of U.S. Highway 26
• Redmond at 10 p.m.; Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 S.W. Airport Way; gates open at 7 p.m.
The access road to Pilot Butte's summit will be closed to all vehicle traffic beginning today. All trails and roadways on the butte will be accessible to pedestrians through Tuesday evening, except for the summit, which will be closed starting today. Access to trails and roadways on the butte will be closed Wednesday and Thursday morning.
For those wishing to get a close-up view of the fireworks, the parking lot at the base of Pilot Butte off Northeast Linnea Drive will be open on a first come, first served basis. No, pets or fireworks will be allowed in the parking lot. No parking will be allowed along Linnea Drive or Northeast Arnett Way, in case of emergency.
Pilot Butte will reopen Thursday after the fireworks and equipment have been taken away from the area.
If fireworks aren't your thing, local cities will be hosting various patriotic events during the day.
For example, in Bend, the Pet Parade is a tradition that dates back to the 1930s. Children are invited to dress in costume with a pet or stuffed animal on wagons, floats, bicycles and tricycles. Pets must be on leashes and no rabbits, cats or aggressive dogs are allowed. A decorating party and lineup for the parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in front of the Bend-La Pine Schools Administration Building, at 520 N.W. Wall St. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the Old-Fashioned July 4th Festival will take place in Drake Park. The event will run until 4 p.m.
Later in the day, America's pastime will be in full swing as the Bend Elks take on the Kelowna Falcons at 6:35 p.m.at Vince Genna Stadium. A portion of the proceeds from the game will benefit Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon, which takes World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the National World War II Memorial. After the game, fans can sit in the outfield to watch the fireworks over Pilot Butte.
Other Independence Day celebrations are taking place around Central Oregon.
Redmond's parade begins at 10 a.m. at Northwest Sixth Street and Dogwood Avenue.
The Redmond Area Park and Recreation District will present an Old-Fashioned 4th of July, at 1 p.m. at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. The event will feature games and contests.
Prineville's parade will begin at 10 a.m., assembling at the corner of Northwest Deer and Fourth streets. The city will also have two race events and a family event beginning at 11 a.m. in Stryker Park.
Madras's Independence Day parade will begin at 11 a.m.
