Fireworks, live music, family fun planned for July Fourth holiday

Looking for a fun, local way to celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday? The Port of Camas-Washougal has your answer. Port employees have been planning the annual July Fourth festivities since April, and Port spokesperson Angelina Anderson says this year's event will be "a fun and exciting day, filled with good people, great music and awesome food." Previously held in Washougal's Marina Park, this year's local Fourth of July festival is moving to Washougal Waterfront Park and kicks off at 4 p.m., Tuesday, July 4. The festivities run until 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night, have no admission charge and are open to the public. "We have this event down to a science and work efficiently as a team to get everything ready to go early in the day," Anderson said. "This way, everyone's evening goes smoothly." An estimated 6,000 people attended the local Fourth of July celebration in 2016, and Port Facilities Manager Jeramy Wilcox said plenty of pre-planning -- including traffic plans, ordering portable restrooms, getting electricity set up for vendors and bands, installing light towers in the parking area -- help make the local July Fourth event a fun, safe and enjoyable time for everyone. To ensure that the event stays safe and family friendly, the Port has hired Phoenix Protective Corporation, of Vancouver, to provide security services. Wilcox said personnel from the contracted security company will walk the event site and keep an eye out for fights, illegal fireworks and people who have had too much to drink. Anderson said Washougal and Camas police officers and firefighters also will be making the rounds on Tuesday night. Port staff will provide tractor rides from the parking area to the event. The July Fourth festivities include the following: Children's activities Children in costumes will ride decorated bikes and walk around the park, accompanied by patriotic music, during a bike parade at 4 p.m. Participants should line up for the bike parade by the public restrooms, at 3:45 p.m. Anderson said there will be a short ride and prizes awarded for the top three "best/most patriotic dressed or decorated bike." More activities and games will keep the children engaged until 5:30 p.m. Food and drink vendors Food vendors will sell tacos, gyros, hamburgers, chicken strips, fruit, ice cream and cotton candy. There will be a beer garden for ages 21 and older, hosted by the Camas Lions and 54-40 Brewing Company, of Washougal. Live music and fireworks display At 6 p.m., the music begins with We Three, followed by 5 Guys Named Moe at 8:30 p.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m. The fireworks were purchased with Washougal lodging tax money. Attendees are advised to bring blankets and folding chairs. Anderson said the Port is always looking for sponsorships and would love for more businesses in Camas and Washougal to get involved with this community event. For more information about the festivities on the Fourth of July, call 360-835-2196 or visit www.portcw.com. American Legion to host parade and community festival The sixth annual American Legion Post 122 and Auxiliary Fourth of July parade and community festival will begin with a parade at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 4, in the Cape Horn-Skye Elementary/Canyon Creek Middle School parking lot, 9731 Washougal River Road, Washougal. Parade participants are advised to arrive at 10:30 a.m. Skamania County Fire District 4 firefighters and other local residents will walk in the parade, which will end at Legion Hall, 10221 Washougal River Road. The day's celebration will include children's games, hot dogs and raffle tickets to purchase. Event proceeds will benefit the American Legion. For more information, call 360-837-2006 or visit www.facebook.com/americanlegioncapehornpost122. "Special Celebrations" to hold Independence Day Festival Saturday, July 1 A sensory-friendly event, with no booms or fireworks for families who have special needs, will include a potluck style picnic, games, crafts and face painting, from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 1, at The Arc Of Southwest Washington, 6511 N.E. 18th St., Vancouver. "Special Celebrations" will host its second annual Independence Day festival, which also will include an "inclusion for all celebrators" parade and guest performances by a super hero squad and others. Special Celebrations offers help finding resources, positive parenting ideas and creative ways to celebrate, welcomes all abilities and hosts themed events for all to join. For more information or to sign up for the parade, call 360-433-1235 or email specialcelebrations@outlook.com. Fort Vancouver will celebrate freedom with fireworks July 4 The general public will be able to "Celebrate Freedom for Free" this year on Tuesday, July 4, with a free Independence Day celebration at Fort Vancouver, presented by Bank of America. Vendors and live music starts at 6 p.m., with the fireworks show starting at 10 p.m. There will be a ticketed, prime-viewing area, where people will have a dinner buffet and an unobstructed front-row view of the fireworks. Prime-viewing tickets cost $50 for guests 18 and older, $25 for those younger than 18, and are free for ages 5 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at fortvan.org/fourth. Program Manager Natalie Hantho said vehicle access will be restricted beginning at 8 a.m., and entry gates will be in place. Bags will be checked all day. "We encourage people to come after 6 p.m.," Hantho said. The Fort Vancouver National Trust is implementing a "$5 for the Fireworks" campaign. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected at the gates from those who wish to contribute to the cost of the show. C-Tran will provide free shuttles every 15 minutes, between 6 and 8:30 p.m., from the north side of the Vancouver Mall to the Fort Vancouver celebration. Return service will be available immediately following the fireworks show. Paid parking lots will be available to the east and west of Fort Vancouver, and all downtown metered parking is free for the holiday. Individuals, service organizations and corporate groups are encouraged to volunteer. Find out more or download the volunteer application at fortvan.org/volunteer. The deadline to sign up as a volunteer is noon on Friday, June 30. For more information about the event or to volunteer, email events@fortvan.org or call 360-992-1804. Fourth will be celebrated in the Columbia River Gorge A celebration will begin with a performance by "The Big River Blues Band" will entertain, at 7 p.m., at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, 650 S.W. Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson. Event admission will be free, and popcorn and cotton candy will be available for purchase. The traditional family day concludes with a fireworks show, scheduled to start around 10 p.m. For more information, call Skamania County Chamber of Commerce at 800-989-9178, e-mail info@skamania.org or visit www.skamania.org. "Back a Hero" races to benefit veterans and military families Runners, walkers and bikers will have five challenges to choose from to honor heroes on the Fourth of July in Washougal. The Heroes Challenge starts and finishes Tuesday, at Cape Horn Skye Elementary School, 9731 Washougal River Road. A half marathon kicks off the festivities at 7:30 a.m., a 24-mile bike ride begins at 8:30 a.m., and a 5K run and walk follows at 9:30 a.m. Each event costs $25. Sign up by Friday, June 30, and receive an American flag. Day of event registration increases to $40 per event. All proceeds benefit local military members, both past and present, and their families. Register at www.BackaHero.Today. Post-Record reporter Dan Trujillo contributed to this article.

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