Community

July 4 events in Creswell slowly take shape

EMMA ROUTLEY/CHRONICLE PHOTO

Gene Lord, officer of the day, places the green wreath at the Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 31. Lord said the wreath represents the “life of our country, our soldiers and our citizens. It is green because the country is still growing.”

CRESWELL – With only a month left before July 4 festivities kick off in Creswell, many of the plans are still in flux.

City manager Michelle Amberg said that the City is in preliminary stages of planning its Fourth of July activities. She said they are likely to mirror much of what the City organized during last year’s pandemic-style celebration. Those plans include patriotic-themed house-decorating, pet costumes, sidewalk chalk art and lawn-chair display contests.

Amberg said judges are being sought to participate in the contest. There are also events being planned at the Hobby Field Airport, including a static aircraft display and the singing of the National Anthem.

Last year, the City paid for vouchers for free shaved ice to be given out to all Creswell residents, but Amberg said the company it partnered with is unavailable to do so again this year. 

Meanwhile, it appears state health guidelines won’t interfere with any events. Lane County is in the High Risk range, and, as of May 21, would reach the Low Risk level after 2,863 more vaccine shots.

The county’s recent 91-case increase in Covid reflects the Memorial Day holiday weekend festivities, said Devon Ashbridge, Public Information Officer for Lane County, noting the spike occurred over the three-day weekend.

Those Creswell residents and visitors who will be in attendance aren’t assured of the traditional military flyover just yet. City officials said they have not yet received a confirmation from the U.S. Air Force regarding the F-15 fighter plane to make a pass over Creswell. 

“They said that they couldn’t guarantee it at this time,” Amberg said, noting that last year the Air Force officials said the same thing but did end up making an appearance.

Bob Jensen, who is in the process of buying TJ’s Restaurant, picked up an application last week for a special-events permit to host an event in the vicinity of the restaurant, and had also planned to file a request to use the traditional parade route through town. 

No applications for the Fourth of July have been filed with the City yet, Amberg said. Jensen also plans to file an application for a “day-pass” liquor license for the event, and if filed in time, the permit will be up for review at the next city council meeting, she said.

Once filed, the special-events application would go through several departments within the City, including planning, public works and the sheriff’s office. Each department will determine whether Jensen is taking all the precautions necessary to ensure a safe and successful event, Amberg said. 

Jensen did not respond to requests for comment. 

Emma Routley contributed to this report.

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