Othello turns out for the Fourth
Brixley and Josie Phillips, ages 4 and 2, wait for the next rain of candy from a float in Othello's Fourth of July parade.
Othello — It seemed like the entire population of Othello, all 7,000-plus, had turned up at Lions Park for the city’s Fourth of July celebration.
The day began with the Freedom Fun Run, which let participants take to their running shoes for a 5k, 10k or 1-mile run. That was followed by breakfast served by the Othello Rotary Club.
The parade began a little after 10 a.m. It began at Lions Park and made its way down Main Street before returning to the park. Floats from area businesses and organizations tossed candy to the crowds lining the street. The Othello High School cheerleaders kicked and chanted their way down the street, and Othello’s Distinguished Young Women rode in a horse-drawn carriage that Cinderella would have felt at home in.
After the parade, the flag was raised at Lions Park, followed by a stirring National Anthem from Abby Christensen, a 2016 graduate of Othello High School.
The park was ringed with food vendors and local businesses catering to the crowds. Games for kids began about 1 p.m. with musical entertainment following.
— Staff report