Bend
A popular annual tradition continues in downtown Bend with the July 4 Pet Parade. It started in 1924 with only three cancellations for World War II and the Covid-19 pandemic. Pet owners are encouraged to dress their furry friends in patriotic costumes to walk a loop starting at Harmon Park. The parade heads east on Newport Avenue, onto Wall Street, finishing at Drake Park. While dogs are the most common pet in the parade, other animals have included lizards, pigs, horses and goldfish. Rabbits, cats and aggressive animals are not allowed. No registration is required. One big change for the parade is an early start time. This year it will begin at 9:30am.
The Summer Music Festival happening at 5pm every Friday evening at Seventh Mountain Resort won’t skip the holiday. The Rusty Frets reggae band will perform at the outdoor rink. The free concert wraps up at 8pm, leaving plenty of time to watch fireworks. The Friday music series continues through August 29.
The fireworks in Bend will launch off the top of Pilot Butte State Park beginning at 10pm on July 4. The show is expected to last 20 minutes. The display can be seen from multiple locations throughout the city.
La Pine
La Pine’s holiday kicks off with the 15th annual Woodcutter’s Chop & Eggs Breakfast. The feast begins at 7am in Frontier Heritage Park. It’s $13 for adults. Kids, seniors and veterans are $11. Frontier Days is a four-day event, ending on July 5. It’s history dates back to the early 20th Century, starting as a community gathering with a large feast.
On July 4 a parade is scheduled for 10:30am, followed by the Woodcutter’s Jamboree at 1pm. Free entertainment on the main stage begins at 1pm with line dancers, followed by live music until the fireworks display at 10pm. That’s expected to last a half hour.
In addition, the kids fishing pond will be open during the day, along with a kiddie train starting at 10am, along with a bounce house, petting zoo, mountain man demos and The “Big Sling” mountain man catapult. All of those activities are free. There will also be arts and crafts vendors as well as food carts.
The La Pine Rodeo also has a performance at 6:30pm followed by a concert and fireworks.
Sisters
The Sisters July 4 celebration is billed as a “good ol’ fashion Independence Day.” The schedule features a list of different activities for the entire family. Pre-1974 classic cars will be on display from 7:30-10:30am at Village Green Park. The morning also begins with a pancake breakfast at 7:30am put on by the Rotary Club of Sisters. A red, white and blue three-mile fun run kicks off at 7:45. A “Kids on Wheels” mini-parade is at 9:30am. No registration is needed. Kids can show up with bikes, scooters, strollers and wagons. There will also be a kid zone set up with a variety of activities. Live music by Dry Canyon Stampede will fill the air from 10am to noon. Guided line dancing kicks off at 10:30am with a pie eating contest at 11am.
Redmond
The annual Independence Day celebration in Redmond includes a patriotic parade downtown with about 80 entries. It’ll run along Sixth Street from NW Dogwood Avenue to SW Forest Avenue beginning at 10am. The flag city will be decorated with nearly 2,000 U.S. flags between 6am and 4pm. Those will line the main city streets of Fifth, Sixth, Highland, Glacier and Evergreen.
A fireworks show will be held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond. No parking is allowed at the fairgrounds. The public can park legally on nearby streets or make reservations at Juniper Golf Course which will have a BBQ and beverages available. The show begins at dark which is usually around 10pm and will last 20 minutes.
Prineville
Central Oregon’s oldest city will celebrate the Fourth with a Splash N Dash race at 8am, which includes swimming, cycling, kayaking and running. Money raised supports the Crook County High School Track and Field team. A free pancake breakfast at City Square is from 7-10am with donations going to The Kiwanis Club of Prineville.
The parade begins at 10am. It heads down Fourth Street from Deer to Elm Streets. Afterward, the Band of Brothers will hold opening ceremonies. A festival, from 11am-3pm, includes live music with Matt Martin & the 45’s, a rock wall, dunk tank benefitting the Prineville Music Theater, local vendors, food and free kid game stations.
The Flashback Cruz featuring vintage cars, retail vendors, food and a beer garden starts at noon at Ochoco Creek Park. A poker run and cruz to Bowman Dam is from 1-4pm. A car show is scheduled on July 5 from 9am-3pm.
The fireworks display at 10pm is launched from Ochoco Wayside State Park.
Sunriver
The Village at Sunriver is hosting a July 4 festival! Carnival-style games, pony rides, a rock wall and balloon creations are just some of the activities. The cost for each activity varies, but proceeds benefit local charities. Police and fire vehicles will also be on display for the public to check out. Festivities include live entertainment and food vendors. There’s a bike parade from the Sharc to the Village at 11am. A family of four can register for $30. A single rider is $10. Money raised from the ride will benefit Three Rivers Elementary school.
This article appears in Source Weekly June 26, 2025.
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