We’re just a few days shy of America’s 250th anniversary of Independence Day, and if you want to get out of the house and go celebrate with the community, here are the places you can go.
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Fireworks, Food, and 4th of July Fun
From a Declaration of Independence signing reenactment in Sunnyside, a rodeo, a Mullet contest and more, the Yakima Valley has no shortage of ways to mark this fun Fourth of July.
I plan to either stay home and snuggle with the cat, stay home and clean off my patio, or head to some pre-planned activities listening to live music on the lawn.
Prosser
Prosser Chamber of Commerce: Old Fashioned Fourth of July
1301 Sommers Ave, City Park and Prosser High School Soccer Field. Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids Parade: 10 a.m. Classic Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All-ages Bingo: 11 a.m. Founding Fathers Skit: 11:15 a.m. Little Miss Prosser Pageant: 12:45 p.m. More fun throughout the day and night. Fireworks at dusk.
Toppenish
Toppenish Rodeo Grounds, 600 S Division St. Pancake Breakfast, parade, Slack competition, Mutton Bustin, rodeo, beer garden, and live music entertainment from Hunter Stiles.
Naches
20800 State Route 410, 7 to 10 p.m. Come jam out to music from Jim Basnight.
Wapato
451 Windy Point Drive, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with food from JJ’s Baja Hot Dog.
Selah
300 E Goodlander Rd, 6 to 9:45 p.m. with a beer garden, Kids zone, vendors, food, and fireworks. Music from AphrodisYaks. Fireworks start at 10 p.m., held on the Selah Middle School track. Seating is on the lawn; bring your lawn chairs and ear plugs!
Sunnyside
Includes two public swim sessions (free) at the Community Pool at Central Park, an honor guard with military opening ceremony and Declaration of Independence signing reenactment, at Clem Senn Stadium, and culminating in fireworks at dusk.
Yakima
1401 Arboretum Dr, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. This is a Members-only party (If you’re not a member of the Arboretum, you can join starting at the $40 level). The party includes an ice cream social, nature walk, music, and a “spectacular view of the State Fair Park fireworks across from the Arboretum.”
1301 S Fair Ave, 3 to 10 p.m. Live music and entertainment, food vendors, watermelon eating contest, hot dog eating contest, wagon & stroller parade, Miss Liberty Bell contest, Most Magnificent Mullet contest, and carnival rides. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs!
102 Wilridge Way, 5 to 8 p.m., with music from Genevieve Band and food from Mia’s Catering Creations. Bring lawn chairs and a sun shade umbrella.
511 N 44th Ave, Englewood Christian Church, 7 p.m. Come hear a mix of “marches, Disney tunes, and patriotic songs.” Bring your own lawn chairs. Live music entertainment from the band made up of “junior high school students up to retirees, including members of the Yakima Symphony, music educators and amateur musicians.”
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Gallery Credit: Reesha Cosby