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What to do on the 4th and where to go for fireworks this year for free or cheap
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The “largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi” at Fort Vancouver, Washington has been cancelled for 2009 as have many other annual small-town displays, due to lack of funding. So, short of lighting off the only-legal and somewhat boring Piccolo Petes and Ground Bloomers or roofing-it to try and catch a glimpse of far-away displays, where can you go this year to view the large, patriotic shows without spending a lot?
To stay near-in the Portland Metro area, your best bet will be the following:
Waterfront Blues Festival, Downtown – An old favorite that hopefully will not be going away anytime soon. Fireworks start around 10 pm, and can be seen for free pretty much anywhere up and down the west or eastside waterfronts. Or, to watch them from inside the festival, a donation of $10 plus two cans of food is suggested. Either way, get there early to reserve a spot! For more information, visit the festival’s website here.
Sunset Speedway, Banks – About 30 minutes west of Portland on Hwy 26. Come for the races at 5 pm for $14 per person or just for the fireworks afterwards (dusk) for free! If you plan to do the latter, be sure to get there a little early to nab parking and a spot to sit on the field. Also, in true 4th of July fashion, be prepared for a hell of a traffic jam getting out! For directions and more information, you can visit the speedway’s website here.
PGE Park – It’s Beavers vs. Colorado Springs in most-likely their last 4th of July game at PGE Park and perhaps in Portland alltogether! The first 1903 fans get a collectable patriotic hat and fireworks will be let off the field after the game. For tickets and more information visit PGE Park’s site here.
Blue Lake Regional Park, Fairview – The perfect place for a holiday picnic. The park offers fireworks, music and water fountain fun. Gates open at 8 am and admission is $10 per car. For location and directions, please visit Metro’s site here.
Big Bang Fireworks, Estacada – A parade kicks off the festivities at 12 pm, followed by live entertainment, carnival, food vendors and beer garden until midnight. Fireworks begin at dusk and best of all, the entire event is FREE! For directions and more information, visit the Big Bang website here.
Tigard High School, Corner of Hall and Durham Rd – Gates open at 6 pm for a free family-friendly event featuring clowns, live music, police and fire vehicles and concession stands. Fireworks at dusk. No alcohol, personal fireworks or smoking allowed.
For a little farther out and possibly an excuse for a weekend stay, try these:
Corbett FunFest, Corbett – This old fashioned, small-town festival has it all! Parade at 11 am, all-day festival - including a pie eating contest! And of course, there will be fireworks at dusk. The schedule is so packed; it is too much to list here. Go to their website here for all the details, just be sure to get there EARLY, otherwise you cannot reach the town by I-84 until after the parade!
St. Paul Rodeo, St. Paul – It is the 74th year of bucking broncos 4th of July fun in this little country town! The PRCA Pro Rodeo and PBR circuit stop includes all the usual rodeo fun, plus carnival rides, a beer garden, lots of food vendors and a western showcase featuring arts and crafts for sale. The action starts on June 30 and continues through the 4th with fireworks every night. If you want to be there just for the 4th, a parade begins at 10 am. For more info and directions visit St. Paul's site here.
100th Anniversary Celebration, Rockaway Beach – A weekend-long event, beginning on Friday, July 3 and going through Sunday the 5th. Saturday-only events include a 5K Fun Run at 9 am, Parade at 11, followed by children’s festivities on the beach and finally Fireworks at 10 pm. Best of all, it’s free!
Seaside – Parade and old fashioned social begins at 11 am, fireworks on the beach after dark. Admission is free here too!
Nahelem Bay, Manzanita – Parade at 1 pm, followed by a FREE BBQ at the Nehalem Bay Winery and finally, fireworks on the beach at 10 pm.
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