Herald photo Stewart’s Roadhouse Band followed the Cramer Brothers in the afternoon by keeping the crowd tapping their feet until it got dark.
By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor — It was if the day was made for an outdoor celebration of our nation’s birthday.
Though the temperature was in the 90’s, it didn’t feel that hot. It had to help that there are so many big beautiful trees providing shade and that the Willamette River runs nearby.
GWP was awash in a sea of visitors
Herald photo These two young celebrants sat just long enough for a picture for mom and me.
Greenwaters Park at the east end of Oakridge provided the setting for Oakridge’s 4th of July community event. Food and craft vendors created a semicircle around the Banner Amphitheater which was center stage for music that entertained the crowd well into the night.
Blankets were laid out on the lawn. Many folks brought beach chairs and pop-up shade structures. Some just lazed in the green grass. The youngsters were kept busy trying to catch bubbles being generated by the bubble machines. Teenagers wandered in groups with their friends, seemingly going nowhere, as they often do.
A well-run production
Oakridge City Councilor Christina Hollett was the primary organizer of the day’s event. She recognized the sponsors and contributors from the stage with the help of local active volunteer Chelsi Rhule. The two generally emceed the festivities throughout the day, as well. Transient Room Tax and Rural Tourism Marketing Plan dollars were also spent to help facilitate the occasion.
Herald photo This couple arrived early on for the festivities. The Needs have settled in Oakridge after years of wandering about. They call Oakridge “their little slice of heaven”.
Several hundred people were in attendance on Tuesday. Many came early to relax, listen to the Cramer Boys and Stewart’s Roadhouse Band, and visit with friends.
The old red, white, and blue was everywhere. Scarves, dresses, hats, and even face paint reflected the colors of our national emblem. “Happy fourth!” was the usual greeting of the day.
Herald photo One could see Priscilla Davidson’s brightly colored tie dye booth from the west end of Oakridge if there was a clear shot. Business was booming according to Priscilla.
Several people interviewed had arrived at the park earlier that day to get a good spot to settle into to watch the day’s events unfold. Some had arrived, left, and returned again.
Kids could easily run around, as kids do, in the spacious park. Parents didn’t have to worry about traffic or other hazards that children seem to ignore as they play.
Sales were brisk according to a couple of the craft vendors I spoke with. Vendors were not charged a fee to set up their pop-ups or their trailers.
There was something for everybody
Two blowup water slides were set up at the east end of the park. They were a real treat for the younger set. These days, corn hole toss game is very popular. It can be set up anywhere and there were several boards scattered around the grounds. Some people seemed to be seriously concentrating on their game. Others, not so much; they were just having fun.
Face painting always attracts kids of all ages (some adults, too!) Chainsaw carved bears,
Herald photo Very few children had not visited Joy Fine’s “Color Me Glad Face Painting” by the looks of the crowd.
clothing, jewelry, and lotions and potions were available.
One of the highlights of the day were drawings sponsored by the local Moose Lodge. Several drawings were announced during the day. However, the grand prize was a set of virtual reality goggles. The lucky recipient was Atticus Hays.
Herald photo Atticus Hays won the grand prize of an Occulus VR set.
As a prelude to the fireworks, a mother and daughter duet sang a beautiful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
Greenwaters Park is, and I’ve said this before, one of Oakridge’s best treasures. It’s one more reason why we all love our “little slice of heaven”, as put forth by one of the star-spangled couples in attendance.
Herald photo Only a small portion of the crowd that turned for Tuesday’s 4th of July celebration at Greenwaters Park.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
