4th of July celebrations from Weiser to Cambridge

It is the most significant event in American history, when John Hancock, then president of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
 Other delegates representing the 13 colonies, 55 of them, signed afterward, all but sealing our future as a country.
 For 246 years, the 4th of July has been celebrated in every corner of the United States.
 Of course, this year is no different, the city of Weiser once again planning its annual Veterans March and fireworks display. 
 The Veterans March, sponsored by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce, will take place on July 4, which is a Monday.
 Military veteran Steve Fenske, of Arrow-Heart Adventure Camps, is organizing the veterans taking part in the march. All veterans are asked to assemble, dressed in their uniforms if possible, at the Weiser Train Depot, located at 1 State Street, at 10:30 a.m., with step-off beginning at 11 a.m.
 The march will proceed north on State Street to Veterans Memorial Park, located on the corner of State and Park streets.
 March organizer Jim Grunke, of the Veterans of Washington County, said kids, families, and others are welcome to participate as well, and should march behind the veterans along the route.
 Color guard members include Charles Marvin, Randy Bergquist, Brad Attebery, and Dick Bergquist.
 Once at the park, the national anthem will be sung by Bailey Chandler and a brief public address made by Richard Coronado.
 Grunke, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1954 – he served 11 years enlisted and another 26 commissioned – helped found the march in 2007 along with then mayor John Walker, who was also a veteran.
 He is stepping back as the event’s chief organizer after this year.
 “I like Weiser and I think this is something that is very important to do for this small community, but it’s time to step down; I’ve done enough,” he said.
There will also be a breakfast, sponsored by the LDS Church at City Park from 7-9 a.m.
Weiser Fireworks
 The annual Weiser fireworks display will go off as usual, thanks to fundraising efforts headed by pyrotechnics Bill Taylor and Pete Ney, as well as Weiser Classic Candy owner Patrick Nauman.
 Nauman was compelled to spearhead an effort among Weiser’s business community after listening to Taylor explain during a city council meeting a couple months ago that the fireworks fund was short by about $6,000 at the time.
 Business owners stepped up, donating a portion of their sales or collecting donations for the cause on Saturday, June 18. The Elks Lodge sponsored a silent auction and breakfast that day, as well. Judy’s Restaurant, which is closed on Saturdays, held a carwash with all proceeds benefitting the fireworks fund.
 As is commonly the case in Weiser, there was plenty of support and it appears that there will be enough money to fund this year’s fireworks display.
 “We have the fireworks on hand, we just have to pay for the Fourth and Christmas fireworks still,” said Taylor who is the City of Weiser’s water department supervisor. “The city gave me the spending authority to spend the amount to buy the fireworks, so we bought them, and we are just raising the money to replace those coffers.”
 Nauman said a total of $7,099 was raised through the efforts. The Elks’ auction and breakfast alone brought in a total of about $4,200, with Judy’s raising $450, and $500 from Domino’s.
 The fireworks will be launched in a vacant field next to Hillcrest Cemetery. Every year, a large crowd assembles in the parking lot at Weiser High School to watch the display, with pockets of spectators gathering in various locations throughout the city.
Rock The Park 2:
 First held in 2021, this year’s event, billed as Rock The Park 2, is scheduled for Saturday, July 2 at Weiser City Park. The park opens at 11 a.m., with music starting at 12 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy music by seven different bands, including the Andrew Shepperd Band, Uncle Bob’s Band, Sunsmith, Steve Fulton Music, Red Light Challenge, Tejano Outlaw, and Generator Saints.
 Food vendors include, Smokin’ Franny’s, Bang on the Wall Burgers, The Rusty Dog, Tacos Papirringo Lozano, Big Fry, Curb Mobile Bar, Sterling Shaved Ice, Gelati Joy, Korny Kettle Korn, and the WHS Cheerleaders.
 Artisan vendors include Flutter Butter Face Painting, Sassy Women Boutique, Styles Hair Studio, Angel Wings, Gray’s Academy, Neck Coolers by Homestead Notions, Mirror Moonology, Hippie Chic Holistic Healing, the Rock Guy, and more.
 “We started RTP to kick off 4th of July celebrations, to celebrate our country, and to reignite some patriotism,” said event founder and organizer Narie Young, co-owner of Picker’s Paradise in Weiser. “All of our sponsors wanted to keep this event going. We are incredibly grateful for their support and commitment to this community.”
Midvale:
 The annual Old Fashioned Midvale 4th of July Celebration begins with a parade at 11:30 a.m. Line-up for all participants begins at 10:45 a.m. There will be kids’ bike and pet categories with prizes, along with adult farm equipment and motorized “toy” categories. A beef barbecue will follow after the parade. It will take place at the Midvale School from 12-3 p.m. and features barbecue beef, baked beans, salads, and desserts.
 Cost is $8 for individuals 12 and over, $5 for kids 4-11, and kids under 4 eat for free.
 Afternoon events, to be held at Agnes Keithley Memorial Park, include the Duck Race at 2 p.m. followed by adult and kids Tug-O-War at 3 p.m. There will also be face painting, a dunk tank, and water slides.
 When you are finished at the barbecue, head over to the pie eating contest, also at the park, which begins at 4 p.m. Cost to participate is $5.
 There will also be all-day free swimming at the Midvale Community Swimming pool.
 All proceeds from the event benefit the pool. 
 For those wishing to be a vendor, contact Angela Cardenas at (541) 610-8878.
Cambridge:
 The big event in Cambridge is always the town’s fireworks display, which begins at dusk, or between 10-10:30 p.m. The show is launched from the athletic field adjacent to Cambridge Elementary School, located at 455 W. Hopper Ave. Most spectators park in the school’s parking lot to view the display, which can be seen from any vantage point in the city.
 The show should last anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, according to Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Dean Page.
 “It depends on how quickly we can light them,” he said. “We don’t use electronics to shoot them off; We hand light them, so it depends how fast we can get to them.” Dean added that, like many small communities, the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department, which organizes the show, funds the fireworks completely by donation.
 “We would be happy to accept any donations to put toward the cost,” he said. “It cost us about $4,600 this year, almost double for the same size show. We got hammered on freight charges for the fireworks that come from China. It’s hard, coming from a small department with no income or revenue source. We work 100% on donations, both the fire and ambulance; no one gets paid.”
 Dean expressed gratitude for a donation this year by the Cambridge Commercial Club, which serves as the city’s chamber of commerce.
 “They stepped up this year to try to help us, which is a first and very much appreciated, but we are still trying to meet our costs,” Dean said.
Those wishing to donate to the fireworks fund can call Dean Page at (208) 707-5020.
 

Category:

Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

Connect with Us