Willamette Valley, Oregon Coast Independence Day Events and Fireworks

Police all over Oregon will be out in force this holiday weekend looking for impaired drivers. Remember: When in doubt, get a ride!

(SALEM, Ore. ) - From Salem, to the Oregon Coast there will be plenty of places you can catch some awesome Independence Day fireworks displays.

So get the family together, and head for the Oregon Coast, or to one of the local rodeo’s going on this holiday weekend, or catch some baseball as the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes play host to the Hillsboro Hops Friday night, there is something for everyone before the sunsets and the night skies over Oregon fill up with bright and colorful fireworks displays.

If you miss out on any of the action on Friday night, don’t worry, Detroit Lake east of Salem is having their fireworks spectacular Saturday night.

Police all over Oregon will be out in force this holiday weekend looking for impaired drivers. Remember: When in doubt, get a ride!

The City of Salem will be having one awesome fireworks show and Independence Day Celebration at Riverfront Park, on July 4th.

The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and runs through 11:00 p.m., with live music, food vendors, and of course the fireworks display.

Those planning on attending are welcome to bring blankets or low back chairs. Please remember that no alcohol or fireworks are permitted in the park.

Parking is available in the north end of Riverfront Park -- enter off Union Street NE -- Wallace Marine Park -- downtown Salem streets, and parking garages.

Also boaters please note, the Wallace Marine Boat Dock will close at 5:00 p.m. on July 4th, to allow for fireworks set-up.

A classic American experience is the celebration of our nation's independence over the Fourth of July.

With the backdrop of baseball at Volcanoes Stadium, it is only appropriate to also bring into the limelight those who have, continue to, and will ensure freedom lives on in the United States. Our country is great because of what makes us unique - and we pair those together once again this Independence Day Weekend with our 7th Annual Patriotic Tribute at Volcanoes Stadium.

Each year, the Volcanoes host our Annual Patriotic Tribute at Volcanoes Stadium. The event is well known for bringing excitement, emotion, and a memorable experience to every guest.

From Thanking, Honoring, and Saluting hundreds of Veterans, to two fantastic firework shows, Volcanoes Stadium has everything you could want to celebrate the 4th of July.

It all began in 2008, when Jerry Howard, current Senior Marketing Executive for the Volcanoes, wanted to create a patriotic promotion at the ballpark for the 4 of July.

"I chuckle now looking back to where the event began that year," Jerry said. "That year, four National Guard Soldiers who had just gotten back from Iraq attended the event. When the National Guard Soldiers were honored during the 7th inning stretch, they got a thunderous four minute standing ovation, I thought to myself, we might have something here."

The event grew to 35 Veterans in 2009, and blossomed into an educational event that saw 67 Veterans on the field in 2010. In 2011, the event had grown too large to hold on one night alone, and it was expanded to Patriotic Weekend at Volcanoes Stadium.

2011 was also the first year of the "Fallen Warrior" ceremony, a tradition that will continue for many years to come. For each Patriotic Weekend, Jerry contacts the family of an Oregon Fallen Warrior and invites them to the stadium for a very emotional ceremony. A memorial for the individual is set up at home plate where they are honored, followed by a heartfelt moment of silence for all Fallen and Missing Warriors. Both 2012 and 2013 also saw improvements, paving the way for an incredible 2014 Patriotic Weekend.

This year, the event has grown bigger than ever, in large part due to the very special news the Volcanoes received during this offseason.

"We were notified by The Office of the Secretary of Defense that we had been selected as the Oregon site for the 50-Year Vietnam War Commemoration," Jerry said. "We began extensive preparations immediately."

This commemoration will take place on the night of July 4th, where 200+ Vietnam Veterans will be thanked, honored, and saluted. Also, a drone from the Roswell Flight Center will be at the game entertaining fans, and delivering the game ball from the umpire to the starting pitcher's hand.

Also, the Fallen Warrior ceremony will take place on the night of the 4th. This year, the ceremony will be for Marine Corps Lance Corporal Bill Koho, of Bend, who was killed in Vietnam in 1967 at the age of 19. His family will be in attendance for this emotional ceremony.

Of course, because it is the 4th of July, the game will conclude with an epic firework show.

The night of July 5th will be the Oregon National Guard Appreciation Night. There will be 30 organizations that work with Military families on the concourse handing out helpful information and helping us thank, honor and salute the Oregon National Guard.

Just like the night before, an awesome firework show will bring this great night to a close.

The night of July 6th will be the All-Branch Armed Forces Appreciation Night along with Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America Appreciation Night. This night will be dedicated to honoring all those warriors from the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard who did not participate in the Vietnam War and are not members of the Oregon National Guard.

During all three games of the series, the Volcanoes team will be wearing their stars and stripes jerseys, and 176 American flags will decorate the ballpark.

Overall, hundreds upon hundreds of Veterans will be thanked, honored, and saluted during this years powerful and heartfelt Patriotic Weekend.

When asked what Patriotic Weekend means to him, Jerry responded, "As an Air Force Veteran, it means the wonderful opportunity to thank, honor and salute the many brave men and women of the Armed Forces - both past and present - for their service and in some cases 'Ultimate Sacrifice' for the United States of America."

This three day weekend will be filled with many heartfelt standing ovations, tears, and memories, as every member of the Salem-Keizer community has been impacted by the bravery and courage of these men and women.

Experience the smoke and thunder of an American Civil War battle. More than 700 reenactors will converge at Willamette Mission State Park July 4-6 to portray the realities of war in the 1860s.

Your family can visit the camps of soldiers and civilians and experience their lives during wartime.

Bring your lawn chairs or sit in the bleachers to watch artillery and cavalry demonstrations.

President Abraham Lincoln will visit the camps and review the troops, as well as hold a town hall meeting Saturday.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for seniors 55-plus and students through high school with student ID. Children under 6 years old receive free admission. Day-use parking is $5.

Looking for a great way to spend the 4th of July? Come see Golden Grill Concessions in Independence. It's the best firework show (and the best food) around. There will be fireworks on both Friday and Saturday nights. Bring your blankets and family.

The American Red Cross is hosting its annual Celebrate Freedom Blood Drive on the Fourth of July at participating blood centers in Oregon and Washington.

All presenting blood donors will receive a free T-shirt and a whole apple pie (while supplies last).

Celebrate Freedom - one of the most popular drives of the year - helps to bolster the community blood supply during a time of year when it can be difficult to collect blood.

Many families are on vacation during the summertime or busy with Fourth of July barbecues and parties. This event encourages people to make time to donate blood and gives the Red Cross an opportunity to "thank" donors for supporting patients in need throughout the year.

WHERE: Participating Red Cross blood centers include Bend, Medford, Portland, Richland, Roseburg, Salem, Vancouver and Yakima.

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Watch the sky light up over Yaquina Bay. The fireworks begin at dusk over Yaquina Bay. Enjoy the show from Newport’s Historic Bayfront, South Beach, or out on Yaquina Bay.

Boasting one of the finest fireworks shows anywhere on the West Coast, Seaside’s display is sure to cap off a memorable day for all the family. Big Fireworks Show takes place on the beach at the Turnaround. Starting at dark or about 10:00 p.m.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Lincoln City with a fireworks display over the Siletz Bay.

Every rodeo performance is topped off with a fireworks display set off on the west side of town.

The 91st Molalla Buckeroo rodeo will top off the night with a fireworks show after every evening performance.

Fireworks Over the Lake. This fireworks show is actually being held Saturday, beginning at 10:00 p.m.

Fireworks display at Roger Jordan Community Park, as the city partners with the Falls City Fire Dept. Fireworks show will begin at around 10:00 p.m.