Made plans for the Fourth of July?
Published 8:38 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2014
- Bulletin file photo
Whether you want to eat pancakes, run a footrace, ride a train, view pets on parade, gawk at roller derby athletes, search the shelves for that gem of a used book or “just” marvel at modern fireworks choreography, the Fourth of July in Central Oregon is ready to oblige.
Below, we’ve broken down Independence Day highlights around the region. For a comprehensive listing of holiday offerings, see our events calendar or GO! Magazine on Friday.
Bend
The fun starts early Friday with the annual Bend Pet Parade getting underway at 10 a.m. (Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. by the Bend-La Pine Schools administration building at 520 NW Wall St.). Leashed pets are welcome, unless they’re cats, rabbits or aggressive dogs. Some 8,000 or more spectators and participants are expected. You could be one of them!
The parade starts at Louisiana Avenue, heads north on Wall Street, east on Oregon Avenue, south on Bond Street, east on Minnesota Avenue, south on Lava Road, west on Franklin Avenue and then south again on Bond. Or you could just follow all the other people. Free; 10 a.m.; downtown Bend; 541-389-7275 or www.bendparksandrec.org.
Wait! While you’re downtown, the Summer Book Sale will be going on in the basement of the Deschutes Library Administration Building. Because nothing says America like books! Free; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; 507 NW Wall St.; www.fobl.org or 541-617-7047.
Elsewhere, the Des Chutes Historical Museum will host Fourth of July Free Day , opening its doors at no cost on the 34th anniversary of its grand opening. There’s ice cream and birthday cake even! Free; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 129 NW Idaho Ave.; 541-389-1813 or www.deschuteshistory.org.
Old Fashioned July Fourth Festival, anybody? Yes? Great! After the Pet Parade, there’s going to be games, music, food and more going on in Drake Park; free admission; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Drive; 541-389-7275 or www.bendparksandrec.org
Once it gets good and dark, the fireworks begin. The annual Fireworks Spectacular will light up the sky over Bend — and possibly set fire to plant life on the butte. Find a friend whose house has a view, a street corner or a park (just not the top of Pilot Butte State Park, naturally), and look up! Free; 10 p.m.
Redmond
Redmond’s Fourth of July Parade is Friday, running along Sixth Street between Dogwood and Forest avenues. More than 70 entries are expected, and the theme is “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.” Free; 10 a.m.; www.visitredmondoregon.com.
After the parade, you might find yourself at the annual Freedom Fest at The Garden on SW Glacier Avenue. There, you’ll find activities for kids, hot dogs, chili, live music and more. Free; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; The Garden, 837 SW Glacier Ave.; 541-923-8614 or www.calvarychapelredmond.com.
Redmond’s own Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration will go down Friday at the Deschutes County fairgrounds. Expect pony and train rides, bouncy houses, a petting zoo and more. Free; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way; 541-548-7275 or www.redmondjuly4th.org.
Also at the fairgrounds, the Lava City Roller Dolls will host the Stars and Skates Forever bout, at which veterans and military service members will be honored. $5, $15 for families of six or fewer, free with military ID; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way; www.lavacityrollerdolls.com or info@lavacityrollerdolls.com.
Finally, Redmond’s fireworks display will fire off from the fairgrounds once it’s dark. Free. 10 p.m.
Prineville
Want to begin your Fourth with a train ride? Head to Prineville for the Mt. Emily Shay Steam Locomotive Ride, running hourly early Friday. Free; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; 1521 NW Lamonta Road; ohs.org/visit-ohs/events.cfm#july
The Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 4th of July Jubilee at Crooked River Park. The event starts at 4 p.m., featuring a burger cook-off (5 p.m.), music by Countryfied (7:30 p.m.), inflatables for kids, a watermelon-eating contest and more until 10 p.m., when the fireworks go off. Free; 4-10 p.m.; 1037 S. Main St.; 541-447-6304.Madras
Madras, celebrating its 100th year, will hold its 4th of July Celebration with a number of events, starting with the Todd Beamer 10K Run (registration opens at 6 a.m.), the Elks Breakfast in the Park (7-10 a.m.), a parade (11 a.m.), and a variety of other offerings; some events free; 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sahalee Park, Seventh and B streets; office@madraschamber.com or 541-475-2350.
The Madras Sparklers’ Fireworks display gets going at 10 p.m. and is visible in downtown Madras, around Madras High School and the Madras Aquatic Center, according to the Madras Pioneer.
La Pine
The 12th annual La Pine Rodeo starts Friday with the Buck n’ Boom event, featuring bull riding (the buck) and fireworks (the boom). It continues through Sunday. $10-$12; 6:15 Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday; Walker and Third streets; www.lapinerodeo.org.
The Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade will be held at 10:30 a.m., beginning at Memorial and Huntington streets. The fireworks display will be held in the meadow west of U.S. Highway 97, Third and Walker at 10 p.m.Sisters
Runners, lace up for some holiday exercise with Sisters Habitat for Humanity 5K and 8K Recycle Run, which starts at Sisters Athletic Club, then heads on Peterson Ridge Trail, ending at Creekside City Park. $25; 8 a.m. race, 7 a.m. registration; Sisters Athletic Club, 1001 Desperado Trail; 541-549-1193 or www.sistershabitat.org.
— Reporter: 541-383-0349, djasper@bendbulletin.com