This little gal is one of hundreds who enjoyed pancakes, ham, scrambled eggs, and fresh strawberries. Gini Davis/The Creswell Chronicle
Creswell’s 2019 Fourth of July Celebration theme was right on target: With daylong festivities on both sides of the freeway and a spectacular fireworks display at dusk, Independence Day in ”The Friendly City” was most definitely ”Out of This World.”
The ever-popular Creswell Chamber of Commerce Pancake Breakfast kicked off events in Holt Park. Spearheaded by Dr. Sheri Schlorman of Creswell Veterinary Hospital, volunteers served up pancakes, ham, scrambled eggs and fresh strawberries to hundreds of people from 7 to 10 a.m.
A variety of musical entertainment, ranging from contemporary and Americana to Hawaiian and more was featured all day on the park stage. Performers included Eli Stockman, Bradly Shepherd’s Perfect Flavor, the Oregon Tuba Ensemble, the One More Time Band, RichieG & MA Beat, David ”Elvis” Lomond and Tatiamo.
Around the park were food trucks and information and activity booths – including panning for real gold. In front of the basketball court, the Emerald Valley chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) – an international nonprofit club dedicated to empowering and supporting children who have been abused, helping them regain their voice, confidence and strength – set up a row of gleaming motorcycles that drew kids like magnets.
BACA members helped kids onto the motorcycles for pictures, answered questions, and gave out stickers, rub-on tattoos, balloons, pens, pencils, Band-Aids and more. For more information about BACA, visit https://bacaworld.org/mission/.
Across the freeway, about 35 vehicles and a steady stream of car enthusiasts enjoyed the second annual Firecracker Vintage Car Show at Emerald Valley Golf & Resort. With a variety of classic cars, music by Red Thunder and food onsite, ”all the feedback I received was positive,” said organizer Scott Olson, adding that he’s already thinking of things to add to the show next year to make it even better.
At Creswell Airport, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 31 pilots provided their annual Young Eagles flights to kids ages 8 to 17. After their thrilling introduction to the ”wide blue yonder” and the wonders of aviation, each Young Eagle received a signed commemorative certificate and a pilot’s logbook signed by their pilot.
But the highlight of the day was the annual Independence Parade at 11 a.m. An estimated 15,000 people lined the hour-long parade route, the children shrieking as water sprayed from some floats and scrambling after candy tossed gently from others.
Parade entrants were encouraged to creatively incorporate the celebration’s ”Out of This World” theme, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and some of the approximately 90 entries took up the challenge, sporting spacecraft props and dressing as astronauts or aliens – there was even a Classic Star Trek Captain Kirk, complete with shuttlecraft.
A flyover by EAA planes signaled the parade’s beginning, and a flyover by a pair of military jets at about 11:35 a.m. again directed observers’ attention skyward.
At dusk, crowds settled in at Creslane Elementary and Creswell High schools for a fireworks display that lit up the sky for a solid half hour. From exciting start through mid-show volley to its impressive final blast, the show featured brilliant colors and magnificent barrages, expertly executed by the family-operated Western Display Fireworks of Canby.
After an entire day of family-friendly fun, home-towners and out-of-towners alike no doubt went home convinced that Creswell’s 2019 Fourth of July Celebration truly was ”Out of This World.”
”I thought the event went wonderfully; my family from out of town loved it all,” said Creswell Chamber administrative assistant, Pamela Palmer. ”That is what we do it for, isn’t it?”
