Document text
July 12, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels July 1, 2004 Fantastic 4th The theme for this year's Fourth of July parade is "Soar and Roar in 2004," selected by the Chamber of Commerce in hopes that it will act as a catalyst and encourage groups and individuals to use their imaginations in how they interpret the theme. Traditionally, once the theme is chosen, a T-shirt design competition is announced, asking for submissions. According to Mary Pat Parker, Tourism Marketing Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, 81 designs submitted this year, "ranging from planes, to dragons, to magic carpets ... It was quite fun to see how people interpreted the idea. That is why the parade is so fun. People take the theme and bring their imaginations to their entries, so each year is so very different." This year's winner of the T-shirt competition is Eileen Hoadley, a mother of three, employed by a local insurance company, and an amateur artist in her spare time. The winning design - a brilliantly blue biplane with two aviators on board, one throwing fireworks over the side - has been silk-screened on white all-cotton T-shirts which are currently on sale at the Chamber of Commerce, the Plaza Information Booth, Paddington Station and Small Change for Children's Store. They sell for $15; One dollar from each purchase will go to the Ashland Schools Foundation. If past years are any guide people will also take great latitude in interpreting this year's parade theme. It is estimated that there will be between 100-130 groups marching, including bands, cars, individuals, families and local dignitaries. To participate in the parade applications (plus entry fee) are required and can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office. The parade will begin this year at 10:15 a.m., later than in previous years to accommodate those who wish to attend church. The starting point is Triangle Park, proceeding along Siskiyou Boulevard to East Main, through downtown Ashland, to East Main and Water Street. Parker estimates that the turnout for the parade "should be about 20,000, lots of locals with visiting friends and relatives and of course our visitors that are already here to see plays. The Parade every year reflects exactly what the 4th is about. It's about a small town expressing beliefs and opinions, having fun and enjoying our friends and families on a day that's about freedom. The parade makes me think, feel and laugh every year." After the parade, people are encouraged to gather in Lithia Park where there will be some 76 booths (and counting) featuring handcrafted beaded jewelry, stoneware and porcelain pottery, table wares, birdhouses, hand decorated house numbers, terra cotta garden plaques and markers, grass baskets, stained glass window lamps hand blown glass, hats, fine art photography, copper and glass garden art, soap and candles, and handmade didjeridoos (an Australian instrument). A special attraction in the parade this year will be a bevy of "art cars," 13 in all, painted and decorated by artists and brought in from all over he United States. One car, its reported, will be a red high heel shoe. After the parade, the cars will be on display in the gravel lot near the city offices. There will also be a white pickup truck available to be painted, and children are encouraged to participate. The "art car" artists will have a booth nearby to sell samples of their work. As well there will be food booths, many offering old fashioned Fourth of July fare such as hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, cotton candy and sno cones. There will also be booths featuring Mexican fruit pops, called paletas, Vietnamese food, and for the first time Temple Emek Shalom will offer kosher hot-dogs, sandwiches and potato salad. Headwaters environmental group will be serving burritos and nachos, and Boy Scout Troop 103 will prepare fried bread with toppings and sno cones. As in years past, the Lions Club will do their annual Barbecue preparing chicken, baked beans and rolls. For the first time, food and crafts booths will be open early for a special preview from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. There will also be booths run by local organizations offering information about their activities and membership. Signed up this year are the League of Women Voters, the Native Plant Society, Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library, Ashland Rowing Club, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team.), Kagyu Sukha Choling, and others. This year there will be two dunk tanks sponsored by the First United Methodist Church and the Hillman Elementary School PTA. The tanks will be located in the parking lot next to Nutley Street. Participants are invited to bring on some heat. Ashland's Old Fashioned 4th of July o 7:45 a.m. 4th of July Six Mile Run, starting at the Ashland Library - Gresham and East Main. o 7:50 a.m. 4th of July Two Mile Run, starting at the Ashland Library - Gresham and East Main. o 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free Shuttle Bus Service (Courtesy of RVTD)- Route 1: From Bear Creek Center (next to Butler Ford) to Downtown, every 20 minutes. Route 2: From Tolman Creek Plaza (Albertson's) to Downtown every 20 minutes There will be a limited number of special parking passes available for the physically challenged, available at the Chamber of Commerce. Those with passes can park at the Wells Fargo Parking Lot. o 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. there will be shuttle service every 20 minutes from North Main and Granite to the steps behind the band shell. o 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. the Native Plant Society of Oregon will feature a Siskiyou Center Irene Hollenbeck Memorial Wildflower Show at Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way (across from Lithia Park). o 10:15 a.m. 4th of July Parade begins at Triangle Park, proceeding down Siskiyou Blvd. to East Main, finishing at Water Street. o 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Food and Games and Information Booths and Craft Fair in Lithia Park. o 1:15 p.m. Mayor Alan DeBoer Welcome Address at the Band Shell in Lithia Park o 1:20 p.m. Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Barry Kraft at the Band Shell in Lithia Park o 1:30-5 p.m. Musical Performances at the Band Shell, to include: Gypsy Soul, Ashland City Band, Rogue Valley Peace Choir, Jon Galfano, Wakiti African Drum and Dance Group. o 8 p.m. American Band College Fireworks Concert, Ashland High School Stadium o 10 p.m. Firework Display presented by Ashland Chamber of Commerce DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams