Fourth of July events span Clallam County today

PORT ANGELES — A slew of events are planned for the Fourth of July in Clallam County communities from Sequim to Neah Bay.

In Forks, the Fourth of July is celebrated for a week. Activities began Monday and continue through Sunday, with a special Grand Parade and fireworks today.

The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a day-long festival that will include concerts at City Pier, games for all ages, a hot dog eating contest, a July Fourth parade and a professional fireworks display.

Neah Bay also plans a fireworks show today.

Meanwhile, the Sequim City Band will present its annual “Patriotic 4th” concert at 3 p.m. today at the James Center for the Performing Arts, 350 N. Blake Ave. in Sequim.

This free event is set just north of Carrie Blake Community Park.

The traditional Independence Day concert will include such favorites as “America the Beautiful,” classic marches, a compilation of 10 American folk songs from the Civil War era and an honoring of military veterans and current service members with the “Armed Forces Salute.”

The Sequim City Band typically has its largest summer audience for its Fourth of July concert.

Rain or shine, the Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July is a week-long celebration.

The traditional event includes a Grand Parade in downtown Forks at noon today and a Fourth of July fireworks display at Tillicum Park at dusk.

The theme for this year’s Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July is “Raise the Flag.”

A traditional garrison flag raising will take place at 6 a.m. today at Tillicum Park.

A first-year dodge ball tournament will be held at Tillicum Park at 1 p.m. today to raise money for the Forks High School wrestling team.

Other events today include a salmon bake at 1 p.m. and a demolition derby at 3 p.m.

The Forks Old Fashioned 4th will continue through the weekend with multiple activities at Tillicum Park, including a horseshoe tournament, archery tag and children’s play day.

For a complete schedule, visit the www.ForksWa.com/events.

Neah Bay’s annual fourth of July celebration will include a parade, fishing derby, quilt and fiber arts show and fireworks display, according to the Neah Bay Chamber of Commerce website.

The Port Angeles Independence Day celebration will take place at City Pier, the Gateway Transit Center, The Landing mall and Pebble Beach Park.

New events for this year’s festival including Habitat for Humanity-sponsored golf chipping and putting contests, a Port Angeles Lefties beer garden and a Cedars at Dungeness food tent at Pebble Beach Park.

A new hot dog eating contest and Lefties home run derby will be held at City Pier.

The Grand Parade through downtown will begin at 6 p.m. and has about 75 entries.

Freddy Pink, a premier Northwest rock and soul band, will perform.

Sponsored by Wave Broadband and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the fireworks will be lit from a barge at a safe distance in Port Angeles Harbor.

For more on the Port Angeles celebration, visit www.celebrate4th.com.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen contributed to this report.