Parade participants weave through town, hoisting their flags and flashing a smile. ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLE
CRESWELL — This year’s Fourth of July in Creswell is like no other — celebrating patriotism in a pandemic. Coronavirus restrictions have limited gathering sizes and halted traditional events, but have not hindered the city’s spirit.
The rumbles could be felt from above, but due to overcast skies, you may have had to use your imagination to see the jet flyover. The ceremony at Hobby Field Airport this morning was led by city leaders and local scouts, who ushered in the day in proper patriotic form as people perused the planes and chatted with pilots.
Regan Humble sings the Star-Spangled Banner at Creswell Hobby Field Airport on July 4.
As part of the City’s initiative, houses, pets and sidewalks are being decorated in hopes of winning prizes to a local gas station or restaurants.
And in lieu of celebrating with the annual Chamber-sponsored parade, locals organized their own homemade parade this year, causing little issue for deputies.
“The parade participants did everything we asked them to do,” Lane County Sheriff Scott Denham said. There were about 30 parade vehicles, plus horses, Denham estimates.
That’ll make you wanna look up! Local pilots put on a show for those waiting for the makeshift parade on Oregon Avenue.
There wasn’t much of a crowd, Denham said, noting a cluster of about 50 people downtown outside of City Hall, but he said most dipped in just to watch the parade and didn’t set up lawn chairs or linger.
With no roads blocked off, the makeshift parade came through town in bursts, trailed through neighborhoods, partially down Oregon Avenue and up to Creswell Health & Rehabilitation Center, where residents could watch the action unfold just outside their windows.
“There were not any major traffic control issues and the sheriff’s office received zero traffic complaints,” Denham said. “They turned the horses at First Street and didn’t take the horses all the way down Oregon Avenue. People were being gracious by pulling off the side of the road to let traffic go by.”
The only issue, Denham said, was that candy was being thrown out into two-way traffic lanes. “Normally there is traffic control during the parade, but when there is traffic going both ways and kids running out into two-way streets — that can’t happen,” he said, so deputies let participants know and stopped the activity.
“Those who participated in the parade with, all their cars gussied up going through town, they followed all the rules and have been so generous with their kindness,” Creswell city manager Michelle Amberg said. “It’s been really neat to see.”
And all-in-all, Denham said he couldn’t have asked for the event to have gone better.
The activities today “didn’t hurt anyone in the community,” Denham said. “This was a totally harmless deal and it is better than people throwing a protest, smashing windows and getting in people’s faces.”
Amberg agrees. “I am really proud of our little town; people have stepped up, have been respectful and have done it right,” Amberg said. “It’s so joyful to see people getting out in red, white and blue and celebrating the Fourth — appropriately.”
Enjoying the parade … from a distance!
Firework calls this weekend so far have been typical. Denham said he expects a possible uptick in calls beginning around 9:30 p.m. tonight and reminds people that it is all about keeping it legal and safe when it comes to fireworks.
Check out the City of Creswell’s Facebook page for updates on today’s contests, and read up on the legal use of fireworks in Oregon and in the City.
Crowds gather, perhaps partially out of muscle memory, to watch the makeshift community-organized July 4 parade. The parade include about 30 participants, in addition to horses. ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLE
