Fourth of July activities are on tap for Sunday in Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks with in-person events slated in all towns.
The reopening of the state on Wednesday has allowed in-person gatherings for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, in contrast to the 2020 events during COVID-19 restrictions that were primarily live-streamed.
Port Angeles is offering an in-person concert and a lawnmower derby on Sunday — contrary to the erroneous listing for Port Angeles on Wednesday’s Page A1. This story corrects that error.
“It’s the first time in 16 months that we can officially gather together,” said Marc Abshire, Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce executive director, on Thursday.
“It’s definitely not what we’d like to do, but at least it’s something and is more than we did last year.”
The Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July began on Wednesday and continues with an event today and a full slate of holiday celebrations Saturday and Sunday.
The city of Sequim is offering its first fireworks show on Sunday, with residents able to gather in Carrie Blake Community Park to watch it if they don’t view it from elsewhere in the city.
Public fireworks are planned on the Fourth of July in Port Angeles and Sequim, but consumer fireworks are banned in those towns as well as in Forks and Port Townsend.
Forks Mayor Tim Fletcher, citing triple-digit temperatures in Forks this week, issued an emergency declaration imposing a ban on all open burning and fireworks within the city of Forks because of unusual fire danger caused by hot weather, low humidity and lack of rainfall.
In addition, the public fireworks show originally planned for Sunday in Forks has been canceled.
Fireworks can be discharged in unincorporated areas in both Clallam and Jefferson counties through 11 p.m. Monday, July 5, so long as the state’s risk assessment does not go higher. Both counties now are rated in moderate fire danger.
In Forks, additional tickets to Sunday’s demolition derby are being sold since the state reopened on Wednesday.
Tickets are $10, with children 2 and younger free, and can be purchased, cash only, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today at Tillicum Park at a ticket booth located by the horseshoe pits, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Forks Outfitters Patio, 950 S. Forks Ave., and on Sunday after the Grand Parade has ended at the ticket booth near the base of the Tillicum Park arena.
Here are schedules in each town:
Port Angeles
The Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce is providing downtown events on Sunday.
“Due to continued precautions resulting from the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, but recognizing the community’s successes and accomplishments in social distancing, masking, and vaccinations, events celebrating the Fourth of July will be lively but limited,” Abhsire said in a press release.
Per Washington state policy, unvaccinated participants are required to wear face coverings in all public spaces.
• Lawnmower Derby — 6 p.m. in the parking lot used for the Winter Ice Village ice rink, 121 W. Front St. The two-hour event will consist of two or more qualifying heats and a final heat.
• Black Diamond Junction concert — 8 p.m. in the parking lot just east of Barhop Brewing and Artisan Pizza, 120 W. Railroad Ave. Seating will be available, but participants may want to bring their own chairs, blankets and refreshments.
• Fireworks — About 10:15 p.m., the annual fireworks show will begin, accompanied by music played on radio station KONP 1450 AM, 107.3 FM, 101.3 FM. It is expected to be visible throughout much of the city. The launch point will be just west of the Valley Creek estuary, west of Pebble Beach Park. Spectators are asked to stay away from the launch area.
“We’re very excited to be able to have people gather together and enjoy the region’s favorite band, and then be right there in the perfect spot to watch the fireworks as well,” Abshire said.
Funding for the annual Port Angeles 4th of July Community Celebration is provided by WAVE Broadband, Kitsap Bank, Barhop Brewing and Artisan Pizza, and the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
• The Port Angeles Yacht Club will host its annual Fourth of July Boat Parade, with local pilots and club members providing a flyover.
All boats are welcome. Boat decorations are encouraged.
A captains’ meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Port Angeles Yacht Club, 1305 Marine Drive.
Boats will assemble on the water in front of the clubhouse between 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., travel to Hollywood Beach and the downtown pier before returning to the annual barbecue.
Forks
• 3 p.m. today — A Sacks Tournament is set at Tillicum Park. The entry fee is $40. Call 360-870-1100 to pre-register.
Saturday
• 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. — American Legion July Breakfast, suggested donation $6, dine-in or to-go options, 651 E. Division and Maple streets.
• 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. — Fun Run registration, walk or run 1 mile, 5K or 10K race begins at 9 a.m., entry fee $10. Meet in the parking lot behind Mocha Motion on Forks Avenue, 360-640-5333.
• 8:30 a.m. — Horseshoe tournament signups, tourney begins at 9 a.m., entry fee $10, Tillicum Park, 360-374-5323 after 3 p.m.
• 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Free archery demo and activity for youth, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 250 N. Blackberry Ave., 360-374-2531.
• 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Archery tag tournament, $25 per team or $5 per person, five-man teams, ages 12 and older, Tillicum Park Ball Fields, 360-640-3543.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Forks Open Aire Market, Umpqua Bank parking lot, 1020 S. Forks Avenue, 360-374-5724.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Vendors in the Park, Forks-area nonprofits in Tillicum Park. Contact 360-374-5412, ext. 237, to sign up.
• Noon — Youth Bag Tournament, entry fee $30 per team, 10 to 16 years old, prizes for top three places, Tillicum Park “Ben Dome” covered area, pre-register by calling 360-640-1985.
• Noon to 2 p.m. — Kiddies Play Day, Tillicum Park, 360-640-3123 or 360-780-2032.
• Noon to 4 p.m., Historic Quilt Display, Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — “Paddle Battle in Forks” Inaugural Pickleball Tournament, $10 entry fee (40 people maximum). Pre-register by calling 360-460-7424.
• 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Basketball Court grand opening at Tillicum Park. Drills and free basketballs for children in grades 3-12. Call 360-640-2301.
• 5 p.m. — Frog Jump, Tillicum Park, 360-640-8169.
• 6 p.m. — Cribbage Tournament, entry fee $6, Forks Congregational Church, 280 Spartan Ave., 360-374-9840.
Sunday
• 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. — Elks Annual Forks Fourth of July Breakfast, $10, takeaway option available, Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchant Road, 360-374-2524.
• 8 a.m. — “Stand for the Red, White and Blue” Garrison Flag Raising and Service Branch Plaque Dedication at Tillicum Park by the mayor and U.S. Coast Guard Station Quillayute River.
• 8 a.m. — Check-in for Grand Parade at Forks Outfitters parking lot.
• 10 a.m. — Sign-ups for Kiddies Parade begins, Peninsula College parking lot, 481 S. Forks Ave., 360-640-2143.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Historic Quilt Display, Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave. Closed during the parade.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Vendors in the Park. Call 360-374-5412, ext. 237, to sign up.
• 10:30 a.m. — Final entries and judging for Grand Parade begins.
• 11 a.m. — Judging (optional) and lineup for Kiddies Parade, Peninsula College parking lot, 481 S. Forks Ave.
• 11:45 a.m. — Kiddies Parade begins, Peninsula College.
• Noon — Forks Grand Parade begins from Forks Outfitters parking lot.
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Salmon Bake, sponsored by Forks Lions Club; cost TBA, “Ben Dome” at Tillicum Park, 360-640-2062.
• 3 p.m. — Demolition Derby gates open at 1 p.m., derby begins at 3 p.m., tickets $10, Tillicum Park arena. Strollers require a ticket. No wagons, animals, pop-up canopies or coolers inside the gates.
Sequim
This Fourth of July marks Sequim’s first fireworks display.
The 20-minute show by Western Display Fireworks of Canby, Ore., will begin about 10:15 p.m. on Sunday at Carrie Blake Community Park, 202 N. Blake Ave.
Fireworks will shoot from the Albert Haller Playfields in the northern end of the park and will be visible throughout the city.
Those not fully vaccinated from COVID-19 who come to park to watch must wear masks, city staff members said.
