Independence Day celebrations in the Tigard and King City area are getting a major shakeup this Saturday, July 4, marked by the return of a traditional favorite and a new cross-city marketing partnership.
Headlining the holiday is the return of the Tigard High School fireworks show, a decades-old tradition that draws several thousand spectators annually. For the past two years, the city experimented with drone light shows, but organizers are bringing back live fireworks for this year’s event, which also coincides with America’s 250th anniversary.
To encourage daylong local attendance, volunteer organizers in both cities have teamed up under the banner “One Big Fourth,” co-marketing a slate of three distinct events stretching from morning until night. Attendees who take photos at specially marked posters at both the daytime and nighttime events can redeem them for a free popsicle at the evening fireworks show.
Here is the schedule of events for Saturday, July 4:
King City Morning Parade and Festival (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
The day begins in King City, which typically draws a crowd of several hundred residents for its tight-knit community traditions.
The King City Community Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. at the King City Civic Association, 15245 SW 116th Ave. Community members of all ages are invited to participate by decorating vintage cars, golf carts, bicycles and strollers in patriotic themes. A children’s bicycle decorating contest will also be held.
The parade route winds through residential streets, ending at King City Community Park, 17470 SW Montague Way. While walkers and cyclists will finish at the park, vintage cars and golf carts will loop back to the civic association to maximize viewing opportunities for residents.
Following the parade, a park festival will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at King City Community Park. The event features live music, lawn games, a bounce house, food trucks and booths from local businesses and artisans. More details can be found at theenloegroup.com/4thofJuly.
Tigard ‘Middle of Millen’ Parade (4 p.m. – 5 p.m.)
Festivities shift to Tigard in the late afternoon with the neighborhood-focused Middle of Millen Parade.
Staged near Tigard High School, the parade kicks off on Millen Drive between SW 92nd and SW 93rd avenues. Neighbors and visitors are invited to decorate wagons, strollers, bicycles and classic cars, or gather along the street to watch. Additional information is available on the City of Tigard website.
Tigard High School Fireworks (6 p.m. – 10:20 p.m.)
The region’s main attraction begins at 6 p.m. on the grounds of Tigard High School.
The evening kicks off with family-friendly activities, including children’s games, DJ entertainment, food trucks and character appearances. At 8 p.m., the Tualatin Valley Community Band will perform a live concert as the crowd gathers on the lower fields.
The 20-minute live fireworks display is scheduled to begin at approximately 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
