July 4: Welcome to two communities celebrating the day

A cool morning gave way to a much warmer afternoon, but that didn’t deter folks in Canby and Molalla from enjoying a little Independence Day cheer.

In fact, for many, the weather was secondary to simply getting out, saluting America and letting the July 4 spirit wash over everyone and everything.

“It’s just pretty special to be out here today and enjoying some holiday magic,” said Stephen Hanson, of Canby. “I bring my children down to the parade, then all the activities, to remind them that for all this country’s shortcomings, there’s plenty to be proud of. And there’s shave ice, which I love.”

A few miles away, folks at the Molalla Buckeroo were dialing into that Independence Day Spirit as well.

“It’s a July 4 tradition for my family,” said Alex Stillman, whose family is from the Molalla area. “I live in Lake Oswego, but I like to bring the family to Molalla each year so my kids get to experience what I experienced growing up — small-town patriotic events. There’s something special about small-town celebrations like this that a town like LO doesn’t really capture.

“We’re not who we could be as a people, particularly politically, but something like this (Buckeroo) offers a glimpse into not only the past, but what would be right about the future,” Stillman added.

So, from parades to food booths to simply celebrating July 4 on a day the temperature decided to start climbing, folks in Canby and Molalla enjoyed the day, place and moment that their respective communities provided.

“It’s good to be an American and recognize and respect what it means to be an American,” Hanson said. “Sometimes that requires a little soul-searching and a little honesty about how we got to this point, which most people are loathe to do. But America’s creation is something pretty special in the annals of history and I’m happy to share that with my family.”