Big party in Othello for nation’s birthday

OTHELLO — The nation’s 249th birthday will be celebrated in Othello with games and a parade and tournaments and fireworks, just like tradition.  

“I love the Fourth of July. It’s the biggest party in Othello,” said Jackie Wilhelm, president of the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce.  

Most of the activities will be in Lions Park.

“We’re definitely utilizing the entire park,” Wilhelm said.  

Activities start at 8:30 a.m. with a three-on-three youth soccer tournament. The tournament was so successful in 2024 that the venue is expanded to include additional fields at Hiawatha Elementary School as well as Lions Park. The Chamber is partnering with Othello United FC as sponsors. It’s the third year for the soccer tournament.  

The annual parade rolls – and walks – down Main Street at 10 a.m. Everything from tricycles to fire trucks to floats to the Othello High School cheer squad will line up along 14th Avenue beginning at 8:30 a.m.  

The Chamber is sponsoring a youth and adult coed volleyball tournament, limited to players 14 years of age and older. Check-in is at 10:30 a.m. with games starting at 11 a.m.  

Check-in for the three-on-three basketball tournament is at 11 a.m., with tipoff for the first games at 11:30 a.m. It’s for players 13 years of age and older.  The basketball tournament dropped off the program for a few years but was revived in 2024.  

A beanbag toss tournament will be going on throughout the day, Wilhelm said, with the championship showdown at 5 p.m. 

“That’s one of the favorite parts of the day,” Wilhelm said.  

Activity stops at noon for the raising of the American flag, and again at 7 p.m. when the flag is lowered. 

“My favorite part of the day is flag raising and the flag lowering,” Wilhelm said. “We shut the park down for that.” 

Judging for the annual car show is at 1 p.m. The car show always attracts all kinds of rides – classic cars, contemporary cars, tricked-out vehicles, straight restorations. Their owners have some things in common, which is that they love to show off their cars and love to tell their stories. 

Live music and performances are scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening, with a fireworks show at about 10 p.m. 

    Othello Police Department officers salute the flag at Independence Day 2024.
  

    The coed volleyball tournament returns to Othello for the 2025 July 4 celebration.
  

    The three-on-three basketball tournament returns to Othello’s July 4 celebration for the second year Friday.