Around Town Woodland

An Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

With the high price of gasoline these days, there is no need to travel out of town to enjoy the 4th of July holiday. Woodland has a lot of activities taking place to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, so no matter what your plans are for that day, you and your family have the opportunity to enjoy some, if not all, of them.

The City of Woodland Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department will kickoff the 4th of July Holiday with their Annual Fun Run/Walk. This family oriented event will start and finish at Pioneer Park located at 1925 Branigan Avenue. The run has been part of the City’s 4th of July celebration for over 15 years. Registration will be held at Pioneer Park from 7 to 7:45 a.m. The run will follow shortly after, around 8 a.m. Fees are $10 per person, which include a commemorative 2008 4th of July t-shirt. Participants interested in registering early can do so at the recreation office (2001 East St.) through June 30. Proceeds will go to the Woodland Recreation Foundation for next year’s 4th of July events. For further information, please contact Hector Lopez at 661-5880. Volunteers wanting to help out at this event are also urged to call.

Joining in as part of the community activities, local firefighters are sponsoring their annual pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at Woodland Fire Station #3, located at 1550 Springlake Court. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, and a whole lot of community spirit. The cost is only $3 per person, and children under 5 are free. The firefighters are also holding an Open House at the station, which continues until 12 noon.

After a hearty breakfast, the public is invited to the Stars and Stripes Scooter and Bike Parade from 9:15 until 11 a.m. starting at Heritage Plaza, on Second and Main Streets. Decorating begins at 9:15, with judging taking place at 10:15. The parade begins at 10:45 at Heritage Plaza and ends at Freeman Park, 1001 Main Street. Following the parade, Freeman Park hosts the Family Funfest from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

No hometown 4th of July celebration would be complete without ice cream, so make plans to attend the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social at the Woodland Community & Senior Center. The social event runs from 1 to 3 p.m., and cost is only $2 per person. The center is located at 2001 East Street.

For those seeking relief from the sizzling hot temperatures, a free Swimfest is being held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Charles Brooks Community Swim Center at 155 N. West Street. The event features swimming music and a giant waterslide, offering a chance to cool off and have fun.

The Woodland High School Stadium at Beamer and California Streets offers a myriad of pre-show activities from 6 to 9:15. Visitors there can enjoy music, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, and games, all free of charge. Donations for next year’s event will be gratefully accepted, and BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers will be available for purchase.

The 4th of July festivities wrap up in a very traditional way, with the 16th Annual Fireworks Display from 9:30 to 10 p.m., featuring Brianne Wilson performing the National Anthem.