Community, Creswell

Patriotic spirit could not be dampened by heat wave

CRESWELL — Fourth of July brings a four-decade-old tradition of celebration to Creswell including a parade, live music, and a fireworks show. Creswell didn’t hesitate to keep their extravagant festivities continuing for their community and anyone traveling to see this year. The Fourth of July celebration is the largest event each year for the city, according to Kelly Makinson, Creswell Chamber of Commerce vice president. In the town of just over 5,600 people, the event brought in over 10,000 this year.

In the morning, New Hope Baptist Church helped the Chamber host a pancake breakfast for the town until the community saw the organized flyover that signaled the start of the parade at 11 a.m.. Cory Page, a new resident of Creswell, decided to volunteer with his fiance at the breakfast to acquaint himself with his new town. It was his first time at the Creswell Fourth of July celebrations, and he said he loved the town’s culture.

Makinson, who was in charge of the parade event, said there were just five people including herself who volunteered to manage the parade with 136 floats. The floats included a diverse range of businesses, organizations, and horses. The South Lane County Fire Department kicked off the parade followed by floats like One More Time Marching Band, Miss Lane County, and more that sprayed the crowd with squirt guns or tossed candy and popsicles.

According to Makinson, Fourth of July is a day that starts around 7 a.m. for most Chamber volunteers and doesn’t end until the fireworks show around 10 p.m.

“It’s a long, hot day, but it’s such a great day to see the community,” Makinson said. 

Creswell native Gredel Wells said she loves to see the community out and about every July 4. Wells’ family has three generations of Creswellians, with her daughter Samara Fernandez and granddaughter Lylah celebrating with her.

“It’s almost like a city reunion,” she said “You see people that never come out of their house except once a year and this is it.”

CHRONICLE PHOTOGRAPHER Kallie Hansel-Tennes

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