Lake Oswego is decked out in red white and blue for all of the 4th of July festivities.

Lake Oswego pulls out all the stops when it comes to celebrating the 4th of July. From pancakes in the park to a pie-eating contest, to a parade down main street as well as one on the lake, it’s not to be missed. And this year the city is adding an Illumination Drone show in Millennium Plaza Park to its lineup. It’s no wonder that residents don’t schedule vacation getaways until after the 4th and visitors make it a point to show up just in time for the festivities to begin.

Here’s a schedule of this year’s events:

1. Millennium Concert Band. Get in the flag-waving mood with your patriotic favorites on Wednesday, July 3, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Millennium Plaza Park. (In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at Lakeridge High School auditorium).
2. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast. This is the one time of the year my wife eats pancakes so they must be good (and hers are gluten-free)! Early birds make sure they get the marionberry syrup. Line starts forming at 7:00 a.m. and grows until closing time at 12:00 noon. George Rogers Park, 611 S. State Street. $9/Adults; $6/Kids 12 and under. All proceeds go towards supporting the Lions Club’s charitable efforts throughout the year.
3. Star Spangled Parade and Celebration. What kid doesn’t love a parade? Apparently none in Lake Oswego as it seems every child under the age of 10 is either walking down A Avenue or cheering those on who are. Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and finishes at Millennium Plaza Park with a Star Spangled Celebration complete with face painting, music, food trucks, and a pie eating contest at 12:00 noon. Things wrap up at 1:30.
4. Lake Oswego Corporation Boat Parade. Where else can you see one parade on land and one on water all in the same day?! Boats will leave from Lake Grove Swim Park at 3800 Lakeview Boulevard at 12:00 noon. While you’re there, reserve your spot for fireworks viewing later that night.
5. Independence Day Illumination: A Light Show in the Sky. Catch the inaugural illumination drone show over Millennium Plaza Park. Festivities include DJ Danny Dwyer, balloon animals, face painting, and cuisine from Dogs & Fries, Koi Fusion, Kona ice and MexiRican. Bring your blankets, pillows, and low sand chairs and get comfortable for a fun night. 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. First and Evergreen.
6. Fireworks Show on the Lake. The show begins around 9:45 p.m. on the west end of Oswego Lake so best to be at the Lake Grove Swim Park, on the Oswego Canal bridge, in a boat on the lake, or at a lakefront party if you can get an invite.
7. Skiboard and Wakeboard Show. Grab a viewing spot of the action in Lakewood Bay at Sundeleaf Plaza, Stickmen’s Brewery & Skewery, the Lake Theatre and Café, or Millennium Plaza Park on Saturday, July 6 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Lakewood Bay.
8. Author Book Signing at Bridgeport Barnes & Noble. My daughter will be signing copies of her book, Waiting at Hayden’s, on Saturday, July 6 at 12:00 noon at the Bridgeport Barnes & Noble, 7227 SW Bridgeport Road. It was recently named one of this season’s “best beach reads” so is a perfect pick for our hot summer weather.

Lake Oswego has a lot more going for it than just its 4th of July celebrations. If you’re thinking about moving here, let me show you around and explain our local housing market. I’ve been a Realtor® in Lake Oswego for over 25 years and would love to put that experience to work for you in finding you a home (or helping you sell one if you already live here and want to move up, down, or on). Give me a call at 503.939.9801 and/or check out my website.