BEND, OR -- Independence Day celebrations in Bend start at 7 am Thursday, with the Bend Heroes Foundation installing 275 flags downtown.
The Bend Pet Parade starts at 10 am at Harmon Park.
Bend Parks and Rec’s Julie Brown says with warm weather forecasted they’re trying to keep animals comfortable. “We’re going to be looking out for those things and we want everybody who is planning to come to the parade to do the same. ...Making sure that they’re hydrated, and being careful of their paws and not having them too hot on the asphalt. Certainly, we will keep an eye on that and make sure that we have all the precautions in there for pets in particular.”
This is the 100th anniversary of the Pet Parade, but is not the 100th edition; it’s been cancelled three times. “Once during WW2 and twice during the COVID pandemic years,” Brown says.
Line-up at Harmon Park starts at 9 am.
Precautions are also taken on Pilot Butte, to fight fires sparked by the fireworks display.
“We have extra crews helping us out from the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the U.S. Forest Service. We will be up there providing firefighting services if anything catches on fire,” Bend Fire and Rescue’s Dan Derlacki tells KBND News a local construction contractor also pitches in, “We’re having Taylor Northwest come in and they’re going to spray the top of the butte with water leading right up to the fireworks show.”
The road and trail up the butte are closed to the public on the Fourth and will re-open Friday afternoon, once clean-up is finished.
Other Central Oregon Independence Day events:
Redmond 4th of July Parade 10 am - Noon Downtown Redmond.
La Pine Frontier Days festival through Saturday
Madras 4th of July breakfast at 7 am, parade at 10 am followed by a celebration and flag ceremony in Sahalee Park. Live music till 2 pm.
Prineville 4th of July events in Pioneer Park: 10 am -2 pm. Parade, Splash n Dash, music, local vendors, kids’ activities!
Munch & Music starts in Drake Park July 4th 5:30-9pm: Free Concert with Ron Artis II
The Deschutes Historical Museum offers free admission on 4th of July 10 am - 4 pm to celebrate the 44th anniversary of the museum, which opened on July 4, 1980.
KBND File Photo: Pilot Butte Fireworks Show
