Where to celebrate America’s birthday, watch Portland-area fireworks on Fourth of July 2023

Published 12:15 am Friday, June 30, 2023

Here’s a quick look at Fourth of July 2023 festivities. Check PortlandTribune.com for updates:

Fireworks

Bombs, aka specially crafted fireworks, burst in air on Tuesday, July 4, as Portland-area folks and America celebrates birthday No. 247.

With the Vancouver fireworks having gone away a few years ago, the best fireworks will be above Waterfront Park at the conclusion of the Waterfront Blues Festival, somewhere around 10 p.m. Check out a good vantage point in Portland to watch the big display, perhaps Mount Tabor, Eastbank Esplanade and International Rose Test Garden. (Waterfront Blues Festival fireworks will be done again by Western Fireworks of Canby, celebrating its 75th year in business.)

More: waterfrontbluesfest.com.

Other fireworks displays are set for Oaks Amusement Park, Hillsboro (after a Hops’ baseball game) and Sandy, as well as locales such as Astoria and Hood River. There’ll be a laser light display at Lake Oswego’s Foothills Park.

Other events

Some other events, of note, in the Portland area: Oaks Amusement Park 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, starting at noon ($37 advance tickets required, oakspark.com); Summer Fest July 4th Celebration, Fort Vancouver, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; parades in Eastmoreland (11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., starting at Duniway Elementary School), Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Estacada and Sandy.

Go cruisin’

The Portland Spirit offers a July 4 cruise, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($158), where people can watch Waterfront Blues Festival fireworks and visit the Historic Milwaukie Waterfront. There’ll be a three-course dinner and live piano music, as well as historical narration on the outer decks.

More: portlandspirit.com/cruise/4thofjuly.

Rodeos

The St. Paul Rodeo draws big crowds and features fireworks each night, June 30 through Fourth of July.

More: stpaulrodeo.com/events.

The Molalla Buckeroo takes place July 1-4 at Molalla Buckeroo Grounds.

More: molallabuckeroon.com.

Oregon State Fair

Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center and city of Salem are teaming up for a Fourth of July party at the state fairgrounds in Salem, starting at 3 p.m. There’ll be a carnival, food and beverage, a concert by Alabama and fireworks at dusk.

More: oregonstatefair.org/spectacular.

TV fireworks

The annual “A Capitol Fourth” fireworks display will be shown on PBS at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Alfonso Ribiero hosts the concert and fireworks from Washington D.C.

Performers include Chicago, Boyz II Men, Belinda Carlisle, Babyface, Renee Fleming and Maddie & Tae.

More: pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth. You can always watch the live stream online on the PBS website or on Facebook.

In addition, the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular show in New York City will start at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, on KGW (8) and Peacock streaming service. Musical performers include Jelly Roll, Bebe Rexha, Ashanti, Lainey Wilson, LL Cool J and others.