>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

FEATURED MUSIC: Standard Deviation is Scott Arnson, John Evans, Joel Goldstein and Mike Gregory. - Submitted photo

“We’re looking for good weather and a good show. We’re excited,” said La Grande Fire Chief Bruce Weimer, a member of the committee.

The blazing fireworks extravaganza will take place at 10 p.m. Friday, topping a full evening of family entertainment at the stadium on the Eastern Oregon University campus.

The alcohol-free gathering gets underway at 7 p.m., with the local band “Standard Deviation” cranking up some rock tunes.

As the music plays on, kids will have the chance to ride antique fire trucks from the Eastern Oregon Fire Museum and Learning Center, and play water games with members of the fire department.

The La Grande Parks and Recreation Division will be selling hamburgers, with proceeds going toward parks and recreation activities.

The fireworks display itself will be lit by Western Display Fireworks from Canby. Dave Johnson of La Grande works for the company and is in charge of the show.

“They’re really pretty good. There will be 25 minutes to a half hour of fireworks in the air,” Weimer said.

No admission is charged. The fireworks committee pays for the celebration each year through corporate sponsorships and a prize raffle.

Weimer said businesses and organizations from throughout Union County donate to the event. Boise Cascade and Eastern Oregon University are major sponsors.

The more than 40 prizes up for grabs in the raffle include include a car from Goss Motors, a $1,000 shopping spree at Don’s Jewelry, and a $100 gas giveaway from Waldrop Oil Company.

Raffle tickets are being sold by the La Grande Philly Group (963-9721), Kids Club (963-3186), La Grande High School Seniors (963-3038), the Union County Chamber of Commerce (963-8588), Hought’s 24 Flavors (962-7856), Ed Staub (963-8711) and Weimer (963-3123, 786-3450).

Drawing for the raffle will take place July 12 as part of the La Grande Crazy Days event.

Weimer said he and the committee are proud to support the July 4 celebration, a community tradition that once was in danger of going away.

At one time, the fireworks were lit on July 4 at the La Grande Drive-in. Later, the event was moved to Pioneer Park.

For many years, a local chapter of the Kiwanis Club put on the fireworks display. The Kiwanis eventually quit and for several years there was no Independence Day event in La Grande.

Then, in the early 1990s,  Observer Publisher Bob Moody, local businessmen Bob Goss and Rich Cabe, firefighter Don Keeling and others formed the Union County Fireworks Action Committee, which survives today and ensures that the party goes on.

ANNUAL JULY FOURTH PARADE RETURNS TO IMBLER

For people who love a parade, Imbler is the place to be Friday.

At noon, the annual July Fourth parade comes down Main Street, entertaining throngs of Independence Day revelers from throughout Union County.

Imbler City Recorder Ruth Zemke said this year’s procession promises to be one of the biggest yet.

“It seems it gets to be a longer parade every year,” she said.

Zemke said parade participants will start lining up at Imbler High School at 11 a.m. A parade director will be on hand to organize the line-up.

Anyone is welcome to join in the parade, Zemke said. No pre-registration is required.

“Just show up and be part of the celebration,” Zemke said.

The Grand Marshals for the current edition are long-time Summerville residents Ron and Barbara Caswell.

The parade starts at the high school and marches south along the city’s main thoroughfare, Ruckman Avenue. It returns to the high school via Esther Avenue.

To avoid congestion and confusion, spectators are asked to not use Esther Avenue until the parade returns to the school, Zemke said.