As Independence Day approaches, communities throughout Lewis and South Thurston counties are preparing patriotic parades, celebrations and fireworks shows. Here’s when and where upcoming events will be held this Fourth of July.
If there are any events in the area coming up this Independence Day weekend not listed below, please email news@chronline.com with event details.
Free Fourth of July Meals For Those In Need
Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, at the Tower Avenue Chevron in Centralia, anyone who wants a Fourth of July meal is invited to the gas station on South Tower Avenue where store manager and Lewis County Drug Court graduate Leah Rader will be cooking and handing out free food.
The barbecue will be fired up and burgers and hot dogs will be served along with potato salad and drinks. Tamales will also be available. The event will go on until the food runs out. Chevron is located at 520 S. Tower Ave. in Centralia.
Packwood Fourth Of July Firework Display
Beginning at dusk on Saturday, July 1, at the Packwood Improvement Club community center and Lewis County Fire District (LCFD) 10 fire station in Packwood, visitors are welcome to watch Packwood’s fireworks display free of charge. Those attending are advised to bring their own blankets and chairs.
Donations for the fire department, which is putting on the fireworks show, will be accepted at both the LCFD 10 fire station and Chevron gas station in Packwood, located at 12974 U.S. Highway 12.
The Packwood Improvement Club community center is located at 13096 U.S. Highway 12, and LCFD 10 is located at 12835 U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood. For more information, call the Packwood Improvement Club at 360-508-0470 or visit https://www.facebook.com/PackwoodPIC.
Retro Rainier Independence Day
From noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, at Wilkowski Park in Rainier, We Love Rainier and local veteran-owned Allstate branch Red White Blue Agency will be hosting a Fourth of July celebration with free activities for the whole family. Visitors can check out classic hot rods at a car show. For the kids, face painting, rock painting, balloon animals, carnival games and more will be available. Additionally, attendees are invited to dress in their finest patriotic outfits for a best dressed contest.
Local vendors selling crafts and local food trucks selling meals will also be on-hand at the celebration. Wilkowski Park is located at 102 Rochester St. E. in Rainier. For more information, visit https://retrorainier.com/.
Mineral Lake Freedom and Fishing
From 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, at the Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground in Mineral, enjoy a free community event hosted by the campground featuring live music, food and, of course, fishing.
“Fish on! This is a youth fishing activity created to introduce children to the joys of fishing,” read a Mineral Lake Lions Club Facebook post.
Once it is dark, a fireworks show will begin. Attendees are reminded to bring chairs and blankets to sit on. The Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground is located at 113 W. Front St. in Mineral. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/MineralLakeLions.
Mossyrock Independence Day 5K & 8K Walk/Run
Starting at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 2, runners and walkers are invited to participate in the Mossyrock Independence Day 5K and 8K Walk and Run starting near the Mossyrock Dam. Those participating will have the opportunity to explore trails on Tacoma Power Utilities property near Mossyrock Park and will also get to run or walk across the dam itself. Online registration will be available until noon on June 29 and is free for children under 12, $25 for children ages 12 to 17 and $30 for anyone 18 and up.
Once online registration is closed, on-site registration will still be available the day of but will cost $35. Those registering on site are advised to get there by 7:30 a.m. on July 2 to ensure the race can still start on time. The first 200 registered runners who finish will receive a medal, and the top finishers will be given winner medals.
To register and get more information, including the route map and directions on how to get to the starting point, visit https://www.myarborhealth.org/mossyrun/.
Jesus Name Pentecostal Church Freedom Celebration
Starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, Jesus Name Pentecostal Church in Chehalis invites everyone to attend its free Fourth of July celebration featuring live music, free barbecue food, bounce houses for kids and a fireworks show at the end of the night.
Additionally, attendees are invited to try out a 100-foot-long obstacle course. Jesus Name Pentecostal Church is located at 1582 Bishop Road in Chehalis. For more information, visit https://jnpc.org/freedom-celebration.
Cloneapalooza Presents: The Tad Hatter Music Festival In Tenino
Rock and metal music lovers are invited to attend the three-day Tad Hatter live music, camping and fireworks extravaganza presented by Cloneapalooza Events & Entertainment at Tad’s in Tenino. Gates open at noon on Sunday, July 2, with live music daily on July 2, 3 and 4 from 4:45 to 10:30 p.m. Three-day tickets are $50 per person or $100 for vendors, which includes parking and camping space, though spaces are first-come, first-served. The event is for those 21 and older only.
Additionally, attendees are instructed to leave pets at home. As the event is hosted on private property, only ticket holders and event guests will be allowed in. Day-of passes will be for sale for $25 per person if room is still available. Those interested are advised to purchase tickets early. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cloneapalooza-presents-the-tad-hatter-in-tenino-tickets-631841213077.
The bands scheduled to perform over the three days include Lust For Glory, Lungduster, Felix: The Band, Fifteen Stitches, I Don’t Know, Juliet Tango, Dogger, Sid Sidian, Tremor Cats and Prince O’Darkness: A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.
Tad’s is located at 3135 184th Ave. SE in Tenino. For more information, visit https://www.experienceolympia.com/events/the-annual-tad-hatter-4th-of-july-music-festival-presented-by-cloneapalooza-events-entertainment/.
Mossyrock 2023 Freedom Fest
Starting at 2 p.m. July 4 in downtown Mossyrock, the city will host its 2023 Freedom Fest with street dancing, live music, local vendors and games. Admission is free. A parade through town will begin at 3 p.m. Free hot dogs will be available as well. Music will be performed by Brian Green and Monty Ray.
Then, at around 10 p.m., the fireworks show will begin. For more information, including directions and where to park, visit https://mossyrockfestivals.org/freedom-festival/.
Pe Ell Fourth of July Annual Parade And Fireworks Show
Starting at noon on Tuesday, July 4, at the Willapa Hills Trailhead in Pe Ell, the city’s Fourth of July Parade will begin.
According to event organizer Jennifer Holland, the parade is free to attend and the streets in downtown Pe Ell will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the parade and accompanying live music and vendors. Parade entrants will be throwing out free candy as well.
Nearly 30 vendors will be on-hand and firefighters from Lewis County Fire District 11 will be cooking burgers at the Security State Bank on 118 Main St. in Pe Ell. Balloon animals and face painting will be available for kids and vendors will be between the Pe Ell Pub and the location of the old Tin Snug in downtown Pe Ell.
The Willapa Hills Trailhead is located at E. 104th Ave. in Pe Ell.
Later in the evening starting at 10 p.m., the city will host its free fireworks show at the Pe Ell School, located at 509 N. Second St. in Pe Ell. For more information, call Holland at 360-291-2607 or visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064507729942.
Fun, Family, Fourth of July With Fireworks In Vader
Starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, at the Vader pre-k property on D Street, the City of Vader’s Fun, Family, Fourth of July with Fireworks celebration will begin. Admission is free and food vendors will be on hand selling hot dogs, cotton candy and more.
The city’s fireworks show will begin at sundown. For more information, visit https://www.vaderwa.org/.
Centralia “Red, White And Retro” Summerfest
Starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, Centralia’s Fourth of July Summerfest returns to downtown Centralia featuring a day-long celebration including a fun run starting at Pine Street Plaza, afternoon field games including cornhole at Centralia College’s Peters Field starting at 11 a.m., and a parade starting at 4 p.m. going through downtown Centralia.
Later in the evening starting a 7 p.m., a demolition derby will be held at the Southwest Washington Fairground, followed by the City of Centralia’s fireworks display at the fairgrounds starting at 10:20 p.m. Admission is free for all events except the demolition derby, which costs $12 for adults and $10 for kids. For more information, visit https://downtowncentralia.org/events/summerfest-2023 or https://southwestwashingtonfairgrounds.org/events/4th-of-july-derby-fireworks/.
