Let freedom ring: Othello gathers for nation’s birthday celebration

OTHELLO — A sunny day, the nation’s birthday, a real chance to get out for the first time in 15 months – there were plenty of reasons to celebrate. And the Othello Independence Day commemoration drew a crowd.

All of the events actually were on July 3, from the parade and skateboard competition, to the car show, volleyball and basketball tournaments. Fireworks filled the sky Saturday night, the parade route was packed Saturday morning and Lions Park, at 815 E. Pine St., was full Saturday afternoon.

Martin Mendoza brought not one, but two cars from his home in Burbank to the car show, the first car show in a long time.

“Finally being able to do this, it’s a huge blessing,” Mendoza said.

“This is so great,” said Connie Agenbroad, who is, among other things, chief executive officer at Othello Community Hospital. “It’s just nice to be out and about.”

Even the weather cooperated. Temperatures topped out in the mid-90s, a hot day, but a long way from the 115-degree weather earlier in the week.

Parade organizer Tiffany Cutforth said she had 32 entries. They ranged from massive farm machinery to the Othello High School cheerleaders, kids on bikes and scooters, classic cars, church groups, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Posse on horseback and muleback.

“Wonderful turnout,” Cutforth said.

The day started with the annual Let Freedom Run, which drew about 55 entries, Cutforth said. About 40 skateboarders showed off their skills. Co-organizer Alicia Mohs said the competition drew boarders from Spokane, Ellensburg and Idaho, among other places.

“People from all over,” she said.

The car show brought out about 75 cars of every make and model. A restored hearse came complete with a skeleton in the driver’s seat. Drivers entered classic cars and trucks, a bright orange street rod, muscle cars and modern vehicles polished to within an inch of their lives.

It was the first car show of the year for Mendoza, who brought a candy-apple red 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass and a 1993 Cadillac with a hydraulic package and a burgundy paint job, accented with silver striping.

Restoring a car takes quite a bit of work, he said, although it’s easier if the owner has some experience. As for how much it costs, he declined to say.

“You don’t want to ask that in front of my wife,” he said.

Businesses and non-profit groups did a land-office business at the food court and people came and went from the park throughout the day, with the fireworks show ending the festivities at dusk.

More photos from Othello's Independence Day celebration can be found here.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.