Central Oregon is the place to be during the summer, but celebrating the Fourth of July here is a unique experience that can't be beat! From fun runs and pet parades to fireworks and live music, there is something for everyone who loves celebrating Independence Day.
Bend
The annual Pet Parade takes place downtown and is exactly as the name describes - register your dog, miniature horse or stuffed lion and parade through downtown with hundreds of other pets and humans. The parade begins at 10am and can get crowded, so if you plan to watch it's recommended to arrive with plenty of time to navigate the streets. After the parade, head over to Drake park for the annual Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration complete with a pancake breakfast, three legged races, live music, and tons of family games.
If family fun in the park is a little too tame, then grab your bicycle and boombox and head over to the Bunk + Brew downtown for the annual Freedom Ride. With thousands in attendance, this isn't your grandmas bike ride (and it is 21+ only), so be prepared for a bit of a rowdy crowd complete with beer, bikinis and a lot of bike traffic to navigate.
Finally, end the day with your family and friends watching the fireworks from Pilot Butte (and subsequently watching the Butte catch fire). You can watch from one of your favorite Bend Breweries/pubs (such as OnTap or Worthy) or find any spot in town where you can see the Butte like Lava Lanes or a friends backyard. Fireworks kick off at 10pm. Side Note: The city closes Pilot Butte to road and foot traffic on July 3, so if you plan to check out the views, you'll have to wait until after the 4th.
Photo Credit: Bend Bulletin
Sunriver
Small but mighty, Sunriver knows how to do Independence day right! Kicking the day off early is the annual 4th of July Fun Run followed by the Sunriver Resort Bike Parade. After the bike parade, be sure to stick around for the 4th of July Festival at Sunriver Village. This family friendly event has it all including live music, a BBQ and a watermelon eating contest!
Redmond
The City of Redmond puts on a spectacular parade through the streets of downtown followed by an old fashioned 4th of July Celebration. This free event features a petting zoo, pony rides and tons of games and fun for the whole family! After a fun-filled day, be sure to check out the fireworks display at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds.
For a full calendar of July 4th events around the area, check out the Visit Central Oregon Calendar.
Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year, which means you'll have extra days to explore our hiking trails, golf courses, lakes and rivers. And, if you're here scouting out our beautiful city as a place to call home (or your second home), let me know! I'd be happy to chat with you about finding an amazing home in Central Oregon!