Oregon City officials announced that the start of the city’s popular “Concerts in the Park” series will coincide with a brand new Fourth of July celebration, creating a “one-of-a-kind experience for the community.”
The event at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is centered on a concert followed by a laser lights show when the sun goes down. Food and beverages will also be available on site.
The concert will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., followed by the laser light show at dark. Onsite parking is available for $5 (cash only). Food and beverage sales will start at 5 p.m.
“This celebration is a long-awaited return of Independence Day festivities after many years,” said Oregon City events and rental coordinator Taylor Miller, the driving force behind the event, in a press release. “The free community event is set to be an evening of patriotic fun for the whole family.”
Commissioner Adam Marl was another leader in the effort to bring a July 4 celebration back for Oregon City residents. He said this event and the efforts behind it mean a lot to him.
“As someone who came to this country at a young age, I know we are blessed to call America home,” Marl said in the release. “People have been asking for things to do in Oregon City on Independence Day for years, and the only options have been in neighboring communities. I’m grateful to my colleagues on the City Commission for supporting my vision for a community-wide celebration of our nation’s independence. I also want to thank our incredible parks staff for their work in making this vision a reality.”
The night kicks off with live music from the CJ Mickens band. Mickens is a popular act in the Portland region, having won the 2012 Portland Idol contest after appearing on the second season of American Idol.
After the concert, Mayor Denyse McGriff and Commissioner Marl will address the crowd, leading into the National Anthem. A glow stick party will follow as attendees wait for a dark sky so the city can light up the night in what officials promise to be a “dazzling Red, LIGHT and Blue Laser Spectacular.”
A diverse range of local food cart vendors, including OC Brewing Company’s Beer Garden, will add to the festive atmosphere. Residents are encouraged to bring their blankets, lawn chairs and patriotic spirit for an unforgettable evening of music, community and celebration.
The celebration is a new addition to the city’s already popular free Concerts in the Park series, which attracts large crowds each Thursday in July and much of August for the diverse variety of music acts.
“The concerts are a true community event,” said Miller. “We can put these concerts together and keep them free thanks to the support of local sponsors, many of whom come back every year.”
Presenting Sponsors this year include: Oregon City Subaru, Hillside Chapel & Funeral Services, South Ridge Center, and OnPoint Community Credit Union. Event sponsors are Oregon City Counseling, Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, Embold Credit Union, Country Financial, Floyd Family Orthodontics, and Holman-Hankins-Bowker & Waud Funeral Service. Special appreciation goes to our Friends of the Concerts: Citizens Bank, Commissioner Mike Mitchell, Oregon City Optimist Club, and McLoughlin Neighborhood Association.
The full schedule for the 2024 Summer Concert Series is as follows:
July 4: CJ Mickens Band
July 11: Beat Division – Hits of the New Wave
July 18: Barracuda – Heart Tribute Band
July 25: Hit Machine – Top 40’s and Pop Cover
Aug. 1: Taken by the Sky – Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band
Aug. 8: Jennifer Batten and Full Steam Band – 80’s Rock and Pop (former guitarist for Michael Jackson)
Aug. 15: Brewer’s Grade – Grammy award-winning Country music artist
More information, including maps and park rules, can be found at www.orcity.org/concertsinthepark.
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