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Light up the day, the night, the Fourth

Independence Day in Clark County is filled with family-friendly festivities

By Sue Vorenberg
Published: July 4, 2014, 12:00am
9 Photos
Fireworks at the Independence Day at Fort Vancouver celebration at the Fort Vancouver National Site, Thursday, July 4, 2013.
Fireworks at the Independence Day at Fort Vancouver celebration at the Fort Vancouver National Site, Thursday, July 4, 2013. Photo Gallery

o 20 Length in minutes of the 2014 fireworks show, same as 2013.

o 12,122 Individual fireworks shots in the 2014 show, compared with 11,751 in 2013.

o 5,865 Pounds of fireworks to be launched in the 2014 show, compared with 6,125 in 2013.

o 1,567 Pounds of explosives used to launch those fireworks, compared with 1,654 in 2013.

o 450 Height in feet of tallest fireworks.

o 30K-35K People expected to attend (the same as in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.)

o 1855 Year of Vancouver’s first Fourth of July celebration.

o 1963 Year the fort fireworks display began (it started in 1962 at the Clark County Fairgrounds). There was no show in 2009.

Swimming fish, flashing thunder and white strobes will decorate the skies over Clark County tonight as part of the annual Independence Day at Fort Vancouver celebration.

The all-day festivities at the Fort are undeniably the biggest show in town, but they are just one option during a day chock-full of holiday parades, music, pie-eating contests, sack races, history and other activities across the county.

o 20 Length in minutes of the 2014 fireworks show, same as 2013.

o 12,122 Individual fireworks shots in the 2014 show, compared with 11,751 in 2013.

o 5,865 Pounds of fireworks to be launched in the 2014 show, compared with 6,125 in 2013.

o 1,567 Pounds of explosives used to launch those fireworks, compared with 1,654 in 2013.

o 450 Height in feet of tallest fireworks.

o 30K-35K People expected to attend (the same as in 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.)

o 1855 Year of Vancouver's first Fourth of July celebration.

o 1963 Year the fort fireworks display began (it started in 1962 at the Clark County Fairgrounds). There was no show in 2009.

Other big events include the July 4th Felida Children’s Parade from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; the Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the Port of Camas-Washougal’s Fourth of July Celebration from 4 to 11 p.m.

But if it’s a big fireworks display you’re looking for, the show at the fort, which starts booming at 10:05 p.m., remains your best bet.

“Every year, we try to design a unique and distinctive show and opening sequence, and this year, the music really lent itself well to dramatic salutes,” said Heather Gobet, marketing director of Western Display, which runs the fort’s display.

The opening music, “Ignition” by Hans Zimmer from the film “Man of Steel,” worked well with the company’s salute fireworks — intense booms with white titanium flashes and silver strobes — Gobet said.

Other parts of the show will include shells called crossettes, which have stars that break into secondary comets in silver, gold, red, blue, green and purple.

Another new shell is the silver silk fish, which breaks “and each star looks like a swimming fish,” Gobet said.

Another will include a rapid firing of gold with blue butterflies decorating the sky.

Before that, the fort has a long lineup of entertainment that kicks off at noon with the annual Sing Fourth Teen Vocal Competition among 10 Clark County high school students.

“The talent pool is incredibly high this year,” said Cara Cantonwine, programs director for the Fort Vancouver National Trust, which organizes the show. “It’s going to be amazing to watch.”

The Fort also will host hands-on history activities with black-powder exhibitions and the first walking tours of the Infantry Barracks building at the West Barracks. On the parade grounds, there will be a live archaeology dig to uncover the former site of the grand flagpole.

Other entertainment includes Radio Disney at the Kids Zone; performances by 5 Guys Named Moe, Britnee Kellogg and Hit Machine; and a special concert at 6:30 p.m. by Rock Steady, the U.S. Army rock band.


Ready to go?

Here’s a list of events for your own skyrocketing Fourth of July fun:

Independence Day at Fort Vancouver

The annual all-day celebration culminates with a fireworks show at 10:05 p.m. Entertainment and activities on the historic grounds begin at noon, with the Sing Fourth Teen Vocal Competition, three-legged races, egg tosses, the Kids’ Patriotic Parade at 4 p.m., the history tent with costumed interpreters, and local musical acts.


When:
Gates open 8 a.m. today; entertainment starts at noon; the fireworks show is at 10:05 p.m.


Where:
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.


Admission:
$5 to $7, free for ages 12 and younger. Prime fireworks viewing area: $50, $25 for those 21 and younger, free for ages 5 and younger.


Telephone:
360-992-1804.


Web:
4th.fortvan.org


Port of Camas-Washougal’s Fourth of July Celebration

The 13th annual celebration includes a patriotic Children’s Bike Parade for ages 3 to 11, sack races, music by the Jacob Merlin Band, and Big Night Out from 6 to 10 p.m., with a fireworks celebration starting at 10 p.m.


When:
4 to 11 p.m. today.


Where:
Port of Camas-Washougal, 24 S. A St., Washougal.


Admission:
Free.


Telephone:
360-835-2196.


Web:
www.portcw.com



Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration

For more than 100 years, Ridgefield has shown its patriotism with a celebration. Festivities begin at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, and 5K and 10K fun runs. The parade is at 11 a.m., followed by local entertainment from noon to 6 p.m.: coaster derby, pie-eating contest at 4 p.m., and dancing in the park at 6 p.m. Fireworks appear over the marina around 10 p.m.


When:
7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today.


Where:
Ridgefield, North Main Avenue and Pioneer Street.


Admission:
Free, $5 for entertainment activities, $20 to $40 for fun runs.


Telephone:
360-887-0329.


Web:
www.ridgefield4th.com


Felida Children’s Parade

“Chiefs for a Day” Cole Merle and Chase Getch will be co-grand marshals of the Felida Neighborhood Association’s annual Children’s Parade through Felida Community Park. Children are encouraged to decorate bikes, trikes or wagons, and participate. The Vancouver Community Concert Band will perform, and there will be games, activities, hot dogs and fire engine rides after the parade.


When:
10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today.


Where:
Felida Community Park, Northwest 39th Avenue and 127th Street, Vancouver.


Admission:
Free.


Telephone:
360-573-4030 or 503-348-5492.


More information:
Felida’s fun Fourth.

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