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Traditional old-time Fourth of July celebration lifts the spirits of many at Greenwaters Park in Oakridge

by Doug Bates | Jul 5, 2021 | Arts, Entertainment and Events, Communities, Front Page, Oakridge/Westfir

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Ilissa Fredrickson-Barlow,Greenwaters park,fourth of july,face paintingDoug Bates/The Herald

Six-year-old Ilissa Fredrickson-Barlow of Oakridge was all smiles as her sister Ciara begins her turn with face-painting artist Joy Fine at Sunday’s Fourth of July celebration at Greenwaters Park.

By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — Oakridge-Westfir residents were treated to an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration Sunday at Greenwaters Park, complete with live music, ice cream, children’s games, a vintage car show and fireworks.

Greenwaters Park,fireworks show,fourth of julyDoug Bates/The Herald

As the wildfire risk remained at ‘high,’ rather than ‘extreme,’ the fireworks show was allowed to take place Sunday evening at Greenwaters Park.

Several hundred people turned out under sunny skies in 90-degree-plus temperatures for a full day of activities starting at 11 a.m. Organizers ran sprinklers most of the day for those who wanted to cool off, and plenty of cold, non-alcoholic beverages were on sale by local vendors offering fare ranging from cotton candy to tacos.

About a dozen vintage vehicles were lined up at the park entrance in a “red-white-and-blue car show” that included green and black ones, too. No one seemed to object.

There was a pie-eating contest, water-balloon toss, face=painting booth and egg-relay race.

Four bands took turns on the Banner Bank Amphitheater stage: Paradise Awaits, The Muddy Souls, Crestview and Micky Wickd (yes, that’s how they spell it).

Vendors under the shade of pop-up tents sold everything from crafts and paintings to tie-dyed T-shirts.

Greenwaters Park,fireworks show,fourth of julyDoug Bates/The Herald

Joy Fine’s face-painting booth had children lined up waiting their turn for much of the day Sunday. Here, Ciara Fredrickson-Barlow of Oakridge gets the final touches.

The pyrotechnics show at dusk seemed to celebrate more than the Fourth of July this year. Some in the crowd agreed they were also celebrating the end of a year and a half of public health restrictions because of COVID-19, which canceled last year’s Independence Day events all across the nation.

Not everyone in the community supported having fireworks this July Fourth, given the horrendous wildfires that ravaged the McKenzie River corridor last year. Sunday night’s fiery show had been approved by a split Oakridge City Council in a resolution that stipulated there would be no pyrotechnics if the Oregon Forestry Department’s fire-risk rating reached “extreme” Sunday.

It did not. The official risk level remained at “high” and the event took place as planned.

Last week, however, the Oakridge council voted unanimously to ban all fireworks in the city this summer. State law already forbids firecrackers, rockets and other such hazardous fireworks. The city’s ban added the tamer variety that celebrants can purchase legally at retail stores and parking-lot sales.

The city’s ban was effective, at least at the Greenwaters Park celebration, where authorities reported almost zero enforcement problems.

Greenwaters Park,fireworks show,fourth of julyDoug Bates/The Herald

Hundreds showed up at Greenwaters Park to enjoy live music, a vintage car show and a rousing Independence Day celebration.

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Written by Doug Bates

July 5, 2021

Alpine Stream Construction Highway 58 Oakridge Oregon

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