Photos: 4th of July celebrations

Despite the heat, residents and visitors in St. Helens and Clatskanie celebrated Independence Day with the spirit of the July 4 holiday.

In Clatskanie, hundreds lined the street leading from Clatskanie Elementary School to the city park to watch the annual Heritage Day’s Parade.

This is probably my fifty-third time watching the parade,” long-time Clatskanie resident Elsa Wooley said. “Some years, there are more log trucks and horses than other years. It’s a small-town tradition. I just love it because I see a lot of people that I know. It’s celebrating the horses, the pool, and the little things that make our hometown special.”

Wooley added that the Heritage Days celebration and the parade are a true signature for Clatskanie.

“It is representing our heritage,” she said. “We all straighten up and clean up really good for this big event snd it makes us vey very proud. Generations come back jut for the parade and to let their children experience this small-town parade.”

Food and other booths greeted folks at the city park following the parade. At night, a traditional fireworks demonstration was conducted.

St. Helens

In St. Helens, the city’s traditional riverfront firework show was not held due to downtown redevelopment construction. Organizers moved the Independence Day celebration to McCormick Park to honor America, its military services, and veterans.

The theme of the event was “Tour of Duty,” and is a collaboration with the American Legion, VFW, Elks Veteran Bunker, and the City of St. Helens.

“The significance of this event is that we don’t forget,” Volunteer Coordinator Judy Thompson said.

The St. Helens event included the 10th annual Ringing of the Bells and the dedication of the Branch of Service Podiums and Flags by Gene Hester. Hester is Judge Advocate with VFW Post 1440 and is a Veteran U.S. Army Special Ops Airborne Pathfinder who served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.