While many communities in the area do not hold major Fourth of July parades, Lake Oswego goes all out for its patriotic festivities.
The city of Lake Oswego will host a two-day extravaganza that includes a performance from the Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 at Millennium Plaza Park, a Star Spangled Parade & Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 4 in downtown and a concert and laser light show from 8-10:30 p.m. that night at Foothills Park.
“I think it’s a way for us to come together as a community and celebrate why we live where we do,” said Jamie Inglis, the community events supervisor for Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation.
The millennium concert will honor veterans and include military and marching compositions dedicated to each branch of the military. Inglis said the concert “gives me goosebumps every year.”
The parade, which attracts thousands of attendees annually, will include a fire engine, scouts, the White Lotus Dragon & Lion Dance group, bagpipe bands and more. They will meander down A Avenue to Millennium Plaza Park via Second Street. Further, Bon Bon Vivant will perform live music, the Oregon SenateAires will sing the national anthem, Mayor Joe Buck will emcee the pie-eating contest and deliver some remarks, vendors will serve food and attendees can pet goats from Portland Goat Parties.
“It’s really an all-American Fourth of July celebration. There will be face-painting, balloon animals, music, everything you love about the USA,” Inglis said.
One goal of the laser light show and concert, parks and recreation events and farmers’ market manager Emily Liu said, is to provide an entertainment alternative to fireworks, particularly for people with pets or those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Along with the lights spectacular, which will begin around 10:15 p.m., Earth Wind and Fire tribute band Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth Wind & Fire will perform.
For more information about the events, visit the city of Lake Oswego website.
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