Parade, fireworks, lots of activities at Othello Independence Day celebration

OTHELLO — After a year off, Othello will celebrate the nation’s birthday on July 3, with a parade, volleyball and basketball tournaments, a new bike ride, a car show and plenty of other activities.

The Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the Othello Chamber of Commerce.

The day begins bright and early, with the first runners in the Let Freedom Run taking off at 7 a.m. Registration opens at 6:15 a.m. at the gazebo in Lions Park, 815 E. Pine St.

Runners have their choice of the 1-mile, 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer courses. The 1-mile run begins first, with the 5K and 10K participants taking off at 7:15 a.m.

All races start at the Lions Park gazebo and end at the Othello Community Pool parking lot, 325 N. 12th Ave. Entry is $10 per person for the 1-mile and $15 per person for the 5K and 10K.

A new event, a 5-mile or 20-mile bike ride, has been added for 2021. The Freedom Farmland Ride is sponsored by the chamber of commerce.

Registration is from 6:15 to 7 a.m., with riders taking off immediately afterward. For 2021, the event is free.

Othello Rotary members will serve breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Menu includes pancakes, bacon, coffee and juice, among others.

The annual parade starts down Main Street at 10 a.m., with a special bicycle and tricycle parade as part of the big parade. Bike and trike riders line up at the intersection of 13th and Main streets at 9:30 a.m.

Actually all parade participants check in and line up at 13th and Main. For all other participants, lineup begins at 8:30 a.m. The parade route goes down Main Street to Third Street.

Most other activities take place in Lions Park. The skateboard tournament is at 11 a.m. at Dan Dever Memorial Skatepark, in Lions Park.

Registration opens at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best run and best trick.

The three-on-three basketball tournament also starts at 11 a.m. in the park. It’s sponsored by the city of Othello.

Basketball competitions include a three-point contest and a basketball skills contest, starting at noon. Participants can enter one or both. The fee is $10 to enter one and $15 to enter both.

The volleyball tournament also starts at 11 a.m. Both the volleyball tournament and the basketball skills contests are sponsored by the Othello Chamber.

Registration for the car show opens at 11 a.m., with the show starting at noon. Cars will line up at the Hamlet Street entrance, near the skatepark.

Entry is $15. Awards include the people’s choice, as well as first and second in the low rider, import, antique (1900-49), classic (1950-80) and modern (1980-present) categories.

Games and entertainment are scheduled for the park during the afternoon, including kids games at 3 p.m. and a cornhole tournament at 4 p.m.

The fireworks show ends the day at dusk, about 10 p.m.