NEONOW FILE PHOTO
“Small Town Feel with Big Time Fun” is the tagline for the Stanfield Fourth of July this year, and the 2014 celebration has all the indications it will live up to its name.
The Umatilla County town has activities scheduled from sunup to sundown.
The day begins at 7 a.m. with the Fireman’s Breakfast at the Stanfield Community Center, Fun Run registration and vendor registration in Bard Park.
The Fun Run, a fundraiser for the Stanfield Cross Country Team, begins at 8 a.m., followed by registration for the Stanfield Slam 3 on 3 tournament, which begins at 9 a.m. and helps support Stanfield’s basketball programs.
Meanwhile, anyone interested in signing up for the Stanfield 4th of July Parade can register that morning on North Sherman and line up for the parade judging at 9 a.m.
Registration forms for the parade and all competitions can be picked up at Stanfield City Hall, Main Street Market or the Stanfield Public Library.
The parade steps out at 10 a.m. and travels from North Sherman down Highway 395 to East Wood Street, right on North Wayne, right on East Coe, left on Glendenning, right on Taft, right on Highway 395, left on Coe Avenue and ends back at North Sherman.
This year’s grand marshal is Eldon Marcum. The Stanfield 4th of July Committee chose Marcum for his 40-year career with the fire department and his support of community charities and organizations. In announcing Marcum as the grand marshal, the committee said:
“From helping host the Annual Steak Feed to baking goodies for someone in the community, he never turns down those in need, even if it’s holding a pig down for shots, chasing a runaway steer or whipping up a batch of his famous baked beans. Eldon Marcum is often found in the background at community events but do not go unnoticed. We are honored to have you in our community.”
After the parade, the main celebration kicks off at Bard Park, including vendors, children’s games, and the Home Depot Kids Workshop. Also at 11 a.m. is the Pie Baking Contest – entries must be on the table before 11 a.m.
At noon, a raft of plastic, yellow ducks will be released from the bridge in Bard Park for the annual duck race. The aquatic fundraiser benefits local youth programs, and ducks can be purchased at the Stanfield Public Library or Main Street Market for $5, and the “owners” of the first three ducks to float past the finish line win a prize.
The competitive spirit continues with the hot dog eating contest at 1 p.m. – register in advance or on site – and the drawing for this year’s raffle winners at 2 p.m.
Among the raffle prizes are:
• The Civil War Basket, including four Oregon State University vs. University of Oregon game tickets and other team items
• A Great Wolf Lodge prize pack: a one-night’s stay for a family of four and $360 gift certificate
• A Wildhorse Getaway package
• Backyard Getaway package
Raffle tickets are $5 each or eight for $20. Tickets are available at Stanfield’s Main Street Market. A kids raffle will also take place. Tickets for that raffle are $1 and include items such as squirt guns and toys with characters from the movie Frozen.
Power Explosion 2014 with The Freedom Team starts at 8 a.m. Sponsored by Stanfield area churches, organizers describe the event as a “dynamic exhibition of power, inspiration and hope.” The event will also take place Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
The 2014 Fourth of July Light Show will illuminate Bard Park at dusk with hundreds of lights choreographed to music, and the evening ends with the fireworks lighting up the sky.
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