Enjoy “Hometown” Fourth

Waitsburg Celebrates with Veterans' March

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg residents are invited to join the Veteran's March on Main Street at noon on July 4, followed by a potluck in the park . A brief ceremony will take place in front of the Waitsburg Hardware Store before the march. All are welcome to participate - just grab a flag and join the parade.

A potluck lunch will take place at Preston Park following the parade. Bring lawn chairs and a side dish, chips or dessert to share. Waitsburg Hardware Store will provide hot dogs and beverages.

Laurette McCaw is credited with instigating the event which began several years back. Reliable sources shared with The Times that Laurette bet that husband Jack and Tom Baker wouldn't walk down Main Street wearing shorts and carrying a flag. "There was a hundred dollar bill at stake, so we did it," said Jack. The pair won the bill and immediately handed it over to Black Dog Rescue.

Marilyn Stellwagon said husband John had been prepared with 24 hot dogs for the post-event picnic but had to run to the store for more. "People were lined all up the street just to see them walk by!" The event has grown over the years with 140 people attending last year's potluck. However, the shorts were never seen again. "That was a one time deal," said Jack.

Starbuck Celebrates Redneck Style

STARBUCK - Starbuck will be celebrating the Fourth of July "down home" style with a Redneck Games Fourth of July Celebration. A community yard sale, flea market and farmer's market will take place on the jailhouse lawn from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional yard sales will be held around town.

The Rawhide Bar & Grill will host Redneck games, including Outhouse Races and Chicken Poop Squares, staring at 12 p.m. The band Bandit will be performing live in the Rawhide from 6-9 p.m. Fireworks will take place at dusk, weather permitting.

Walla Walla Celebrates "4th in the Park"

WALLA WALLA -- Walla Walla will celebrate the Fourth with its 22nd annual 4th of July in the Park celebration at Pioneer Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park will be filled with arts and crafts, food booths, nonstop entertainment and activities for children. Worship leader, songwriter and artist Tim Timmons will perform a free concert at the gazebo at noon.

A fireworks display, launched from the Walla Walla Community College athletic field, will begin at dusk.