Every year, Wallowa County is a popular destination for the Fourth of July holiday. And with Independence Day falling on Friday this year, a three-day weekend makes it the perfect place to celebrate. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a leisurely time camping, fishing, boating or hiking during the weekend, and still have plenty of time to catch a parade, a barbecue, a flea market and spectacular fireworks.

Wallowa parade

To get the full flavor of the holiday, start with Wallowa’s Old-Time Fourth of July Parade, which gets underway at 11 a.m. July 4, and shows small-town America at its best.

There are always plentiful red-white-and-blue floats, children’s bike brigades, costumed horseback riders, clowns on foot and a personal appearance by Smokey the Bear, as well as an impressive procession of old and antique tractors from area farms, all bedecked in American flags.

Following the Main Street parade is an outdoor barbecue, hosted by Wallowa churches and other organizations, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and more. This year, kids’ carnival games and a crafts fair are also planned, and a bus has also been reserved for those who’d like a ride up to see the fireworks at Wallowa Lake. For a $10 fare, you can take the bus from Wallowa at 7 p.m. and return at midnight.

A softball tournament during the weekend is also a Wallowa tradition.

At press time, a Wallowa organizing committee was still making plans, so other activities also may be on the holiday schedule. Call parade coordinator Kathy Shoemaker at 541-886-8000 for more information.

Lostine flea market

Wallowa County’s smallest incorporated town turns into a huge outdoor market the first weekend in July every year during the Lostine Flea Market. This year it will open Friday, July 4, and run through Sunday, July 6.

The flea market was inaugurated by the City of Lostine in 1974, when it featured three dozen booths. Afterwards, it was reported that the biggest crowd in Lostine’s history had descended into town for the market.

In the decades since, up to 100 vendors from all over the country have made Lostine a don’t-miss shopping site for one weekend every summer.

Customers looking for a bargain, or unusual new and old wares, will be able to find antiques, collectibles, tack, household goods, plants, books, jewelry, CDs, old and new furniture, tools, toys, camping equipment, lemonade, fry bread, hamburgers, hot dogs and much, much more. For more athletic visitors, there is the 28th annual Lostine River Run, sponsored by the Wallowa County Rotary Club. The race offers five courses ranging from a 10-kilometer run to a one-mile walk.

For more information, contact Lostine City Hall at 541-569-2415.

Wallowa Lake fireworks

The perfect way to end a perfect Fourth of July in the Wallowa County is to watch the fireworks display over Wallowa Lake as darkness falls (about 9:30 p.m. at this time of year).

To avoid the traffic and enjoy the lake while it’s still light, many locals and visitors arrive at its north end (closest to Joseph) to spread blankets and set up chairs, socialize and light off sparklers before the professional display.

The Wallowa County Park area at the foot of the lake is also a good place to barbecue and picnic earlier in the day. Boaters often make sure they are on the water after dark to watch the show.

The fireworks display is always a first-class show, orchestrated by professional pyrotechnicians shooting off hundreds of fireworks shells from barges on the lake.

Last year’s show cost about $9,000 (which also covered portable toilets, platform materials and housing for the fireworks crew), raised by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce. The show depends on donations from generous local organizations, businesses and individuals, and visitors are, of course, more than welcome to pitch in if they enjoy the show. Call the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce at 541-426-4622 to find out more.