4th of July events in Weiser, Midvale and Cambridge abound

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:05am

The annual Weiser Veterans’ March will take place on the Fourth of July at 11 a.m. Line-up begins at the Weiser Train Depot at 10:30 a.m. The march will proceed north on State Street and end at Veterans Memorial Park where Lyndon Haines, pictured far left, will offer up a prayer. Also on tap is Claire Woodruff who will sing the National Anthem and speaker Kenneth Dewlen, a U.S. military veteran and newly hired Weiser School District Superintendent. Photo by Philip A. Janquart
By: 
Philip A. Janquart
 There is no lack of Fourth of July activities this year for those living in Washington County.
 From Weiser to Cambridge, there is plenty to do if you are so inclined to get out and experience the many events taking place in the area.
 The following is a breakdown of events and where they are happening:
Weiser
 Rock the Park 3, presented by Pickers Paradise, is set to rock Weiser Friday and Saturday, June 30-July 1.
 The much-anticipated, free event will feature several bands, including The Fabulous Chancellors, crowd favorite Tejano Outlaw, and local band Wrench Monkeys, just to name a few. 
 Festivities begin Friday, June 30 at Weiser City Park from 6-10 p.m., with bands and food trucks. Music on Saturday, July 1 begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs to 10 p.m., with a wide array of vendors and food trucks.
 A community breakfast will be held at Weiser City Park from 8-10 a.m.
 The annual Veterans’ March will take place on Tuesday, July 4. All veterans are encouraged to participate. Staging takes place at the Weiser Train Depot at 10:30 a.m., with the march beginning at 11 a.m. It will be led by a colorguard and proceed north on State Street to Veterans Memorial Park, located at State and E. First Streets. 
 Veterans who want to participate but don’t feel comfortable walking will be provided a special ride to the park.
 Though the march focuses on area veterans, everyone is welcome to participate. People are encouraged to walk, ride a bike, a horse, or even a tractor. Many participants are typically inspired to dress in festive red, white, and blue attire.
 A welcome and introduction will be given by Joe Malay, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Claire Woodruff. Lyndon Haines, of Weiser Christian Church, will offer up a prayer followed by U.S. military veteran and Weiser School District superintendent Kenneth Dewlen who will give a speech on the meaning of the holiday.
 The annual fireworks display will go off as usual at dusk from the vacant field next to Hillcrest Cemetery. 
 Every year, a large crowd assembles in the parking lot at Weiser High School to watch the impressive display, with pockets of spectators gathering in various locations throughout the city.
Cambridge
 The big event in Cambridge is always the town’s fireworks display, which begins at dusk. The show is typically 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.
Midvale
 Midvale is the smallest of the three towns, but has the most going on.
 The community’s annual Fourth of July celebration is meant to bring folks together in recognition of the country’s most important date, but also serves as a fundraiser, benefiting the Midvale Swimming Pool.
 Proceeds from the celebration go toward the maintenance and operation of the heated pool, which was built in the 1960s and costs a minimum of $10,000 per year to keep running. It is not owned by the city, but is rather a 501c3 nonprofit entity overseen by a board of directors consisting of community members, according to board president, Angela Dodson.
 “Every year we have maintenance issues,” she told the Signal American. “This year we had to replace the sand and some inner parts for our sand filters. Last year, we needed a new heater, so it costs anywhere between $4,000 and $5,000 to open the pool and another $4,000 to $5,000 for maintenance, employees, and things like that throughout the year.”
 Costs are covered solely by donations and fundraising, which includes the annual Fourth of July event. 
 To that end, organizers have planned a fun-filled day of activities, beginning with free swim day at the pool, which opens to the public at 1 p.m.
 There will also be a bouncy house and water slides at Midvale Community Park, goat roping, and live musical entertainment provided by country/blue grass band Scotty Mac and The Nugs. There won’t be any pig wrestling this year, Dodson explaining that the board couldn’t find the appropriately sized pigs.
 “We couldn’t find the right size and age, but we want to bring that back next year,” she said.
 The public should take note that the parade time has changed.
 In previous years, it started at 11 a.m. This year, however, the parade will start at Midvale School at 4 p.m., with line-up by 3:30 p.m. It will end at the Midvale Community Park near the corner of Bridge and Depot Streets.
 Prizes will be awarded for the top three best decorated entries.
 Immediately following the parade is an old-fashioned barbecue in the park. On the menu is smoked brisket, baked beans, salads, and desserts.
 “It’s a potluck-type of situation,” Dodson said. “The pool board provides the meat, baked beans, and garlic bread, and we all make pies and fruit salad, but the community brings in salads and desserts to serve with our meal, so everybody pitches in. Our husbands get together and pit-smoke the meat overnight; they cook the meat all night long.”
 Topping off the day is the big fireworks show that will begin around dusk.
Midvale Pool
 The pool was originally built after a local child drowned while swimming in the river, according to Dodson.
 “Back in the '60s, everyone would go swimming in the river; that’s just what they did,” she said. “After a kid drowned, the community came together and decided they needed a safer way for kids to enjoy swimming. They did some major fund raising and got some major donations and built our pool. It’s been going ever since.”
 Bathrooms and showers were added in the '90s and, just this year, Dodson and a group consisting of board members and volunteers built the pool’s first Snack Shack, which is open from 2-6 p.m.
 “Us girls got together and built it,” she said. “We have candy, chips, ice cream, drinks, and baked goods. All of us girls bake something once a week.”
 The 55,000-gallon pool is 28-feet wide and 63-feet long, with public swimming from 1-7 p.m., followed by adult family swim time 7-9 p.m. 
 The pool holds two swimming instruction sessions, one in July and another in June. Both are two weeks long and are held from 8 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The second session will run July 10-21.
 General daily admission is $3 per individual, but you can buy a family season pass for $100 or an individual season pass for $40. 
 For more information, call Angela Dodson at (541) 610-8878, or the pool at (208) 506-8993.
 

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Signal American

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

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