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--> --> Committee: Jet flyover will happen, but when? By Maggie McGehee Ashland Daily Tidings Only a week remains before Ashland joins other cities across the nation celebrating 225 years of American independence, and about a dozen residents are working to ensure this year's celebration goes off without a hitch. The Ashland Fourth of July Committee met today for the final time before the celebration. They discussed everything from security to publicity, and a few topics raised some concern. The jet fighter flyover that in the past has kicked off the parade could end up closing the celebration along Main Street due to the time constraints faced by the Air Force, according to committee member Don Dedrick. The committee had requested a 9:30 a.m. flyover on July 4, but discovered today that 10 a.m. is the earliest they can expect to see a jet rocketing above the city. Kingsley Air Force Base officials in Klamath Falls could only promise that a jet fly-by would occur sometime between 10 a.m. and noon, according to Dedrick. This year's theme is "2001: An Ashland Odyssey," and features running races preceding the downtown parade. The runs begins at 8:15 and 8:20 a.m. on the Fourth at the Ashland Public Library. Bands will be playing all day at the Lithia Park Butler Bandshell, and at 4:30 p.m. the King and Queen baby contest is set to begin. The day will culminate at 10 p.m. with a fireworks show that will be accompanied by an 8 p.m. band concert at Ashland High's Phillips Field. For those not wanting to suffer through downtown detours and never-ending searches for parking spaces, they can take advantage of a shuttle service that will allow spectators to park at Butler Ford, 1977 Hwy. 99 or Albertsons, 2301 Ashland St., and ride to downtown. The shuttle will run at regular intervals from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. courtesy of the Rogue Valley Transit District. A lost-and-found booth will be located at the Ashland Community Center. Any lost children found by downtown parks patrol police officers will be brought to the Community Center and announcements will be made there and at the Lithia Park bandshell to reunite parents and children. Officials are looking for residents with vintage automobiles to drive in the parade. Vehicles built before 1970 are preferred. The cars will carry parade dignitaries, such as Grand Marshal Dana Welsh or Mayor Alan DeBoer. Anyone with a vehicle they'd like to drive in the parade can call Rick Nagel at 488-1551 for more information. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing