An Americana Day with Fireworks

The meaning of Independence Day differs from person to person, but there’s no mistaking the fact that the holiday offers a wide array of events for Eugene and Lane County residents to choose from to celebrate July 4. For instance, there’s the solemn. Wall of Honor, a traveling tribute to the fallen U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be on display at the Harrisburg Fire Department (5 pm to 8 pm Wednesday, July 3, 6 am to 6 pm Thursday, July 4, and 8 am to 2 pm Friday, July 5, at the Harrisburg Fire Department, 440 Smith Street in Harrisburg. FREE). On July 3, the Eugene Emeralds baseball club will partner with the Oregon Bach Festival for the Big Brass and Boom concert. The Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band, based in New Orleans, will be at its jazz-beat best at PK Park, with fireworks to follow ($15, tickets at MiLB). The Eugene Pro Rodeo (July 3 through 6 at Oregon Horse Center, 90751 Prairie Road. Tickets are $15-40 per night at EugeneProRodeo.com) has “American Celebration Night” July 4 at 7 pm, with fireworks to follow. Florence has the Independence Day Celebration at the Coast on July 4 (FlorenceFun.com), an all-day event ending at night with fireworks. In Eugene, July 4 events start early with the annual Butte to Butte road run from south Eugene to downtown. (course information at ButteToButte.com). Creswell’s annual 4th of July Celebration starts with an early morning pancake breakfast, followed by the parade of parades in Lane County at 11 am with two hours of politicians, animals and fun before a throng of people that might exceed the town’s population of 5,600-plus. The parade also has a military flyover. The celebration ends at dusk with fireworks (information at CreswellChamber.com). Live History: Fourth of July (2 pm to 8 pm July 4 at Oakshire Public House, 207 Madison Street) is hosted by historian and author Ray Brown, dressed in period costume. The presentation includes a rare five-piece collection of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The party continues at night with the Light of Liberty Presented by SUB gathering (4:30 pm to 10 pm, Island Park, 200 West B Street, Springfield. $5-10). Of course, there will be fireworks. If baseball — as well as a hot dog and beer — is more to your liking, the Eugene Emeralds and Springfield Drifters have you covered on Independence Day. The Ems host the Hillsboro Hops at PK Park (6:30 pm, tickets at MiLB.com), and the Drifters host the Sawtooth Sockeyes at Hamlin Middle School (6:35 pm, 326 Centennial Boulevard, Springfield. $7-10).

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!