Here’s how Portland area celebrates Fourth of July — America’s 248th birthday

Published 12:15 am Friday, June 28, 2024

It’s one of the best holidays of the year, when people can go out and gather and celebrate our nation’s 248th birthday.

The Portland area won’t lack for fun things to do and see on Thursday, July 4, including the big fireworks show over Waterfront Blues Festival and Willamette River.

Here’s a rundown of celebrations:

Drone show

The city of Tigard has done it — going for a 21st-century demonstration in the sky rather than traditional fireworks.

The city’s first-ever Fourth of July aerial drone show is set for Thursday, July 4.

Sky Elements Drone Shows will launch 200 of the unmanned aircraft high into the sky above Tigard High School at 9:30 p.m. It’ll be about 13 minutes long.

What drone-viewers can expect is a, “visually stunning Tigard-centric experience,” Tigard Mayor Heidi Lueb said.

“With this change we are able to address some of the concerns that we’ve heard about a traditional fireworks show and provide a celebration that can include everyone. Drone shows are a safer and environmentally friendly alternative where we can create a more enjoyable atmosphere and reduce our fire risk, noise pollution, and produces less debris,” Lueb said. “I am excited for the community to join me in embracing the start of a new July 4th tradition.”

The best viewing areas for the $80,000 show — if you want to hear the accompanying music — are at the Tigard High School football field and adjacent field.

It’ll take only one pilot, said Tyler Kubicz, production manager for Sky Elements Drone Shows.

“Basically, that one pilot is doing checks throughout the day, like pretty much calibrating the drones, making sure that the drones know exactly where they are in formation on the program,” Kubicz said. The event is pre-programed ahead of time by Sky Elements’ animation team.

Read more about the drone show in Ray Pitz’s story (see link to the left).

Waterfront Blues Festival

The 36th annual Waterfront Blues Festival, July 4-7 at Waterfront Park, will have 100 acts and four stages of music, with highlights including St. Paul & Broken Bones, Diggin Dirt, Jackie Venson, MarchFourth (July 4); Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Say She She, Bombino, Leyla McCalla, Jee MacRae, Kirk Fletcher, Lachy Doley (July 5); Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Bobby Rush & North Mississippi Allstars, Charlie Hunter with Jubu Smith, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble (July 6); Greensky Bluegrass, Charlie Hunter, Curtis Salgado, Dustbowl Revival, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Cris Jacobs, The Rumble (July 7).

Tickets are $25 for one-day passes and $125 for four-day passes. Hours are 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. each day.

More: waterfrontbluesfest.com.

Fireworks

There are smaller displays around the Portland area, but fireworks above the Waterfront Blues Festival are the de facto big show for the city of Portland. They take place around 10 p.m. July 4.

Great vantage points for the Waterfront Blues Festival fireworks — along with the festival itself and downtown Portland — are Mt. Tabor Park, Eastbank Esplanade, Sellwood Park and the International Rose Test Garden.

Oaks Park

The 4th of July Spectacular includes a full day of rides, access to picnic areas and fireworks at dusk (about 9:45 p.m.) at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way. Gates open at 11 a.m., and rides operate from noon to midnight and will be included in event admission ($38, available online at oakspark.com).

Other events

There will be parades on July 4 in most Portland-area communities, including Molalla, Canby, Lake Oswego (10:30 a.m.), Corbett, Hillsboro (11 a.m.) and Eastmoreland at Duniway Elementary School in Portland (11 a.m.).

In Beaverton, there’ll be a celebration and concert with fireworks at 10 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. The city’s neighborhood, Oaks Park, will also have fireworks.

In St. Helens, McCormick Park will host a Fourth of July event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Estacada Fire Department will host Fourth of July fireworks at 10 p.m. Corbett, Sandy, Woodburn, Happy Valley will also have fireworks.

Lake Oswego will also feature a concert from Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire, followed by a laser light show at 10:15 p.m. at Foothills Park. Wilsonville will also have a laser light show.

Vancouver’s party is Summerfest Picnic in the Park at Fort Vancouver, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 6.

The website PDX Pipeline has a good roundup with links of suburban and Oregon Fourth of July and weekend (July 4-7) events: pdxpipeline.com/portland-july-4th-fireworks.

Rodeos

The St. Paul Rodeo and Molalla Buckeroo are great places to celebrate the holiday.

The St. Paul Rodeo, being held since 1935, includes: Hall of Fame induction barbecue, 5 p.m..-8:30 p.m. Monday, July 1; slack and timed events, 9 a.m., evening performances, 7:30 p.m.-10:15 p.m., Tuesday andWednesday, July 2-3; matinee performance, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m., evening performance, 7:30 p.m.-10:15 p.m., Thursday, July 4; evening performance, 7:30 to 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 5; evening performance, 7:30 p.m.-10:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6.

More: stpaulrodeo.com.

The annual Molalla Buckeroo will run through Thursday, July 4 at the Molalla rodeo grounds. Events include Giant Street Parade (July 4), Firecracker 5K run (July 4), and fireworks and music after the rodeo each night.

More: molallabuckeroo.com.

Beer fest

Socializing and partying are two big parts of Fourth of July fun, and you can do it at Portland Craft Beer Festival at Elizabeth Caruthers Park, 3508 S. Moody Ave. (South Waterfront), noon to midnight Thursday-Saturday, July 4-6. Ticket prices are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. Transportation options to get there include bicycle and Portland Streetcar.

More: portlandcraftbeerfestival.com.

Go cruisin’

The Portland Spirit offers a July 4 cruise, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., where people can watch Waterfront Blues Festival fireworks. The Willamette Star and Crystal Dolphin vessels will also be taking people out on the Willamette River.

More: portlandspirit.com/cruise/4thofjuly.

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, demolition derby, Bounce N’ Battle Fun Zone for kids, food and beverage, concerts and fireworks at dusk.

More: oregonstatefair.org/spectacular.

TV fireworks

The annual “A Capitol Fourth” fireworks display will be shown on PBS/OPB at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Alfonso Ribeiro once again hosts the concert and fireworks from Washington D.C.

Performers include Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Sheila E., Fitz & Noelle (from Fitz and the Tantrums), Chloe Flower, Sister Sledge (featuring Sledgendary), Loren Allred, dancer Britt Stewart and more.

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. Thursday, July 4 on KGW (8) and Peacock streaming service. Performers include Amber Mark, Brandy Clark, Lainey Wilson, Luis Fonsi, Mickey Guyton The War and Treaty and Alex Newell.

More: macys.com/s/fireworks.