Independence Day festivities are planned

America's Independence Day will be celebrated Monday at several sites in the Camas-Washougal area, as well as in Vancouver and Skamania County. Port of Camas-Washougal The port's festivities will get underway Monday, with a children's patriotic bicycle parade at 4 p.m., at Marina Park, 24 S. "A" St., Washougal. The parade participants will line up at 3:45 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the "most patriotic" first- and second-place winners. There will be a coloring contest, face painting and a wheel of fun at the children's booth. Sack races will be held from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Food options will include tacos, gyros, French dip sandwiches, buttered popcorn, churros, cotton candy, shave ice and ice cream sundaes. The Camas Lions will have a beer garden for ages 21 and older. They will also sell hamburgers, hot dogs, corn, coleslaw, soda and bottled water. The Tracey Fordice Band will perform rock and roll and country rock music from 6 to 7:30 p.m., followed by 5 Guys Named Moe (a dance and show band) from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. The City of Washougal is providing the fireworks with $16,500 in lodging tax money, along with four employees to help with the festivities. Admission is free. Complimentary parking and hay rides will be available at the site of the future Washougal Waterfront Park and Trail, 335 S. "A" St. The park is not open. For more information about the festivities on the Fourth of July, call the port office at 835-2196 or visit www.portcw.com. American Legion Post 122 and Auxiliary The ninth annual American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 community celebration will be held Monday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The children's parade, sponsored by the Legion and Skamania County Fire District 4, will begin at 11 a.m. Participants are invited to dress in red, white and blue, or patriotic costumes, decorate their bikes, wagons and pets, wave streamers or flags and walk with their friends. All entries must be non-motorized. Parade participants will assemble by 10:45 a.m., in the Cape Horn-Skye Elementary/Canyon Creek Middle School parking lot, 9731 Washougal River Road, Washougal. The parade route will be along Washougal River Road, ending at the American Legion Hall, 10221 Washougal River Road. A community celebration will occur at Legion Hall, where there will be hot dogs available to purchase and games for all ages. There will also be raffle prizes. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/americanlegioncapehornpost122. Fort Vancouver The gates will open Monday, at 8 a.m., at Evergreen Boulevard and Fort Vancouver Way, Mill Plain and Fort Vancouver Way, East Reserve Street and Evergreen Boulevard, and East Reserve and East Fifth streets. The Fort Vancouver Visitor Center is located at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd. Admission will be $7 per person for adults at the gate. There will be no charge for children age 12 and younger to attend. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at www.fortvan.org/fourth and at Fred Meyer stores in Southwest Washington. Entertainment will kick off at noon, with the "Sing Fourth Teen Vocal Competition." The 10 finalists include Samara Davis, of Camas High School, and Sydney Valaer, from Washougal High School. Throughout the day, the main stage will feature entertainers such as the Rock Steady 234th Army Band, Andy Stokes Band and The Nu Wavers. The children's patriotic parade will begin at 4 p.m. During the day, there will be guided walking tours of the Vancouver Barracks and tours of the historic Marshall House on Officers Row. A children's area will have three-legged races, egg tosses, water balloon fights and prizes. There will be a hands-on-history area to learn traditional games. An adult beverage pavilion will feature beer and wine. Visitors can see the reconstructed Fort Vancouver, for $5 per person. There is no charge for people age 15 and younger. Bi-plane rides will be available for a fee at Pearson Airport. There are also aviation-related exhibits and vintage aircraft to view. The fireworks show will launch at 10:05 p.m. Prime Viewing tickets are $60 per guest 21 and older, $30 for those younger than 21, and free for ages 5 and younger. Those tickets include catered picnic dinners, live entertainment from 5 to 10 p.m., and unobstructed front row seats to the fireworks show. For more information about the Fourth of July at Fort Vancouver, call 992-1808 or visit www.fortvan.org/fourth. Skamania County Fairgrounds The festivities will begin Monday, with live music by Kenny Lee and the Sundowners on the midway at 7 p.m. Corn dogs, popcorn and homemade baked goods will be available to purchase. Fireworks will begin at approximately 10 p.m. Admission is free. The Skamania County Fairgrounds is located at 650 Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson. For more information, call the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce at (509) 427-8911 or visit www.skamania.org.

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