July Fourth: Where to look for fun today across Mid-Columbia

From barbecues and parades to the requisite fireworks shows, plenty of family-friendly fun is planned around the Mid-Columbia to mark the Fourth of July.

The annual River of Fire Festival will draw crowds to Columbia Park in Kennewick.

Pasco’s Grand Old Fourth parade and fireworks show will light up the day and night.

Festivities also are planned in Prosser, Sunnyside, Hermiston and Boardman.

Pasco

Pasco’s Fourth of July activities kick off with a Kiwanis pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at Memorial Park, 1520 W. Shoshone St. Cost is $5.

A Camp Patriot Fun Run is at 8 a.m. at Gesa Stadium, 6200 Burden Blvd. Cost is $35 for adults and $25 for kids.

HAPO Community Credit Union’s Grand Old Fourth Parade takes off from North Fourth Avenue and West Sylvester Street at 10 a.m., with a preparade kids street dance at 9:15 a.m. at Memorial Park.

A cardboard regatta is at noon at Memorial Pool. Cost to compete is $5 per boat for kids and $6 per boat for adults. Participants fashion their own boats out of cardboard, recyclables and duct tape. Pre-registration is required. More information: 509-545-3456.

The Grand Old Fourth fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. at Gesa Stadium. Gates open at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Kennewick

The 2016 Tri-Cities River of Fire Festival will take over Columbia Park in Kennewick on July 4.

Gates open at 6:30 a.m., and kids games, vendors and the Dreamland Express train will start up at noon. The train is sponsored by Tri-Cities Battery Tire Pros; kids ride for free.

An opening ceremony is at 4 p.m. on a stage set up along the river. Keith Deaton will take part, performing as President Abraham Lincoln.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution and Tri-City Genealogical Society are coordinating a Patriotic Heritage booth, and members will dress as historical figures and pose for photos. Northwest Paddleboarding will be on hand with rentals.

Tri-City rockers Night Argent will headline the festival, beginning at 8:45 p.m. The bands Groove Principle and 7 Wheel Drive will take the stage earlier in the evening.

Western Display is coordinating the fireworks show, which will start about 10 p.m.

Cost is $8 a carload.

Townsquare Media produces the event for the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce. HAPO is the sponsor.

Prosser

Prosser’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration includes games, a parade, a car show and a Little Miss Prosser pageant, capped off with fireworks at dusk.

Events are at Prosser City Park at Seventh and Sommers streets, except for the fireworks show at Art Fiker Stadium.

The day begins with a car show. Registration is at 8 a.m. The kiddie parade is at 11 a.m. and the pageant is at 11:30 a.m.

Admission is free.

Mini-hydroplane races also are planned July 2-3 on the Yakima River at Crawford Park.

Sunnyside

The Sunnyside Lions Club plans a Fourth of July celebration in the stadium at Sunnyside High School, 1801 E. Edison Ave.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Food will be served and games and contests are planned, from a watermelon eating event to a patriotic costume contest.

A color guard ceremony is at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks are at dusk.

Admission is free, with donations accepted.

Hermiston

Hermiston’s celebration includes live music, food, entertainment, a watermelon-smashing contest and fireworks.

Hours are from 1 to 10:30 p.m. at Butte Park, 1245 NW Seventh St. Admission is free.

A Stars & Stripes pool party also is planned. It runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center, 879 W. Elm Ave.

Cost is $14 for people age 15 and older and $10 for kids ages 2 to 14. Tickets are available at the aquatic center.

Boardman

Fourth of July festivities kick off July 3 with a Glow 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 p.m. at Marina Park, 1 Marine Drive NW. Registration starts at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $25 for a T-shirt or $15 without. A family rate also is available.

On July 4, activities begin with a Scout breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at Marina Park, followed by a parade downtown at 11 a.m. and horseshoe, soccer and three-on-three basketball tournaments. Kids’ games, live entertainment and vendors will be set up at Marina Park starting at 5 p.m., with fireworks at dusk.

Admission is free.

For more information, call the Boardman Chamber of Commerce at 541-481-3014.

This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 5:55 PM with the headline "July Fourth: Where to look for fun today across Mid-Columbia."