Erica Barr/The Creswell Chronicle
Standing in the middle of Holt Park in the early hours of July 4, I was excited to witness this year’s event – my first Fourth in Creswell. The theme, ”Out of This World,” commemorated the 50th anniversary of the U.S. moon landing.
I have never experienced this type of community before. Standing in line for the pancake breakfast, I overheard locals talking to each other about their families. Neighbors knew each other’s names. It reminded me of the movie ”Pleasantville.”
I had my breakfast, snapped some photos and walked over to the music stage. Eli Stockman asked for requests and people shout out suggestions; he went with The Beatles’ classic tune ”Let it Be.”
Meanwhile, the line for breakfast grew with locals and out-of-towners.
There was a couple from Pennsylvania that was particularly interesting. Their son moved to Creswell a few months ago, so this, too, was their first Fourth of July Celebration in Creswell. The couple said the people in town were friendly and caring.
As the parade start time neared, crowds grew and migrated toward the streets. I speculate there were over 15,000 people in the community for this event. Mayor Richard Zettervall kicked off the parade route, floats followed and onlookers cheered. There were people dressed as spaceships and planets to commemorate the theme.
After the parade, crowds went back to the park to grab some food and I sat at The Creswell Chronicle booth to pass out newspapers and talk to the public.
I never could have imagined moving to Creswell and experiencing an event like this in a 5,000-population town. It was like something out of a movie.
