July 4 celebrations planned around Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — The nation’s birthday will be celebrated with a lot of flash and all kinds of events throughout the Columbia Basin, tomorrow in Moses Lake and Tuesday in Othello and George.

The Moses Lake Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every summer Saturday and July 1 is no exception; it’s in McCosh Park, which also hosts a scavenger hunt from noon to 2 p.m. Festivities move to West Third Avenue from 2 to 5 p.m. with games and an open mike at Sinkiuse Square. Bilingual Storytime is scheduled for 3 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 4:40 p.m. at the Obra Project building, 205 S. Division St. Sinkiuse Square also will host a street taco contest, with judging from 4 to 5 p.m.

The action then moves back to McCosh Park at 5 p.m. for games and activities with the help of the mobile recreation program operated by Moses Lake Parks and Recreation. There’s an open beanbag toss game as well, and food vendors will set up in the park through 10 p.m.

A free concert is scheduled from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled for about 10 p.m.

Othello residents will be busy all day July 4, with events ranging from a fun run to the parade, breakfast to a fireworks show.

Runners and walkers start early at 7 a.m. with the Let Freedom Run race. Courses range from one mile to 10 kilometers. The Othello Rotary chapter will be serving breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m.

The annual July 4 parade starts down Main Street at 10 a.m.; traditionally it features fire trucks, farm equipment, horses, floats, cars and children, among many other things.

Activities shift to the park after the parade. The American flag will be raised at 11 a.m. A coed volleyball tournament follows at 11:15 a.m., which is when the car show starts too. The bean bag toss tournament starts at 4 p.m.

Music also is scheduled for the park, as well as food vendors. The fireworks will wrap up the festivities at dusk.

July 4 is always a big deal in George and will include the traditional signature attraction, a cherry pie that the town claims is the biggest in the world.

There will be plenty to do before the pie and ice cream, including the annual Cherry Bomb Run at 8:30 a.m. Food and market vendors will be in the park throughout the day.

The July 4 parade rolls through town at 10 a.m. A ceremony to remember the day’s purpose is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the park.

The Georgettes community group start working on the pie at about 7 a.m., and pie is served at noon. Traditionally the pie poses for pictures - actually there’s a setup where people can get pictures - after the parade. Live music is scheduled for the park stage throughout the afternoon. The fireworks end the day at dusk.

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