America 250 comes alive in Redmond, OR.
This July 4th, America is turning 250 years old and Redmond is having quite the birthday party. Our country was founded upon the freedom and independence to pursue your own happiness. To that end, you’ll find there’s no better place to do that than among the wide open skies of the High Desert. We welcome you to come celebrate with us.
Our town is just like any other in the United States. Flags line the streets. The people are friendly. A community block party makes you feel right at home, and a spectacular parade winds through the heart of town. But that “purple mountain majesty” on the horizon…that’s where this place is different. Come see our quaint corner of Oregon and use it as your basecamp for our country’s celebration. There’s plenty of fun to be discovered here, and you needn’t look far to find it.
A Block Party That Ignites the Weekend
Bands play. Dogs prance around in patriotic costumes. And the crowd stirs as participants in the pie-baking contest lay the results of all their hard work on the table. These flaky, fruit-filled delights, some the size of small villages, wait to be judged. It’s a hard job but somebody’s got to do it. The victor remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: everyone who’s here will share a lasting memory.
The block party kicks off a weekend of celebration in Centennial Park on July 3rd from 4-8 p.m. It’s the perfect way to get energized for the holiday. Come watch your kids get their faces painted. Learn a bit about how Redmond served as a gateway to Central Oregon. This is how you celebrate our country Redmond-style, where it feels like everyone is gathering for a giant backyard barbecue. The event is complete with free corn dogs, Sno Cones and other Americana staples. There are also food trucks for those with more discerning tastes. Best of all, you don’t have to lift a finger to enjoy any of it.
Happiness Parades Through Town
You start seeing people trickle in around 8 a.m. They’re unfolding their lawn chairs and spreading out their blankets along 7th Avenue in an effort to claim their turf. This is no surprise; the 4th of July Parade is one of the most popular events of the holiday weekend. It’s a time when Redmond, and its people, come out in full display. As the floats begin to line up, the anticipation builds. If you’ve ever wanted to come to a parade where you truly feel like a part of it, this one can’t be beat.
Our small town is an incredibly welcoming one. When the mayor encourages those on the sidelines to join in the festivities, they take him up on it, literally. Many rise up from their chairs and feel compelled to walk the parade route as it unwinds through the streets in all its glory. The only people who are happier? The kids who are picking up all the candy being thrown.
Thunder and Lights in the Big Sky
The expansive High Desert sky provides the perfect backdrop for the main event. While the fireworks show doesn’t start until 10 p.m., you can feel the excitement long before that. Families gather on the lawn of the Juniper Golf course where you’ll find plenty of space. Or see if you can grab one of the coveted spots at the top of the SCP Hotel deck. You can view the spectacular show from pretty much anywhere in town, you just need to look up. There’s nothing blocking the big open sky.
As you watch the streaks of light paint the horizon like a canvas, you get wrapped up in the moment. This isn’t just a celebration of America; it’s a glow you feel inside. This is the first time you’ve felt completely relaxed in a long while and you’re hoping the experience won’t end. As the show comes to a close, rest assured, you can still feel this exact sense of relaxation on any summer day in Redmond.
Learn more about the dates, times and places to celebrate our America 250 celebration.
