THE RIDGEFIELD FOURTH of July Celebration Parade is well attended each year, with hundreds of spectators, young and old, lining the streets to catch a glimpse of their favorite float or parade participant. This year’s parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. on July 4.
PARADE PARTICIPANTS during last year’s Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration Parade walk the parade route carrying a larger-than-life version of the American flag.
THE PIE-EATING CONTEST is a popular event each year during the Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration. This year’s contest will be held on July 4 at 2:15 p.m. on the stage in Overlook Park. Participation is free to those younger than 18 years of age.
THE PET & KID PRE-PARADE kicks off the parade portion of the Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration each year. This parade will begin at 10:15 a.m., along the parade route, followed by the main parade at 11 a.m.
DURING LAST YEAR’S Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration Kids Day, young participants were treated to a creature feature, and were able to visit with a variety of critters.
THE ANNUAL Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration Parade includes a variety of participants that can be seen walking the parade route, including organizations, businesses, politicians, pets, children, horses and more.
RIDGEFIELD — Among the Clark County cities and towns that each year hold a variety of events and activities for the Fourth of July, the city of Ridgefield will once again hold their own annual Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration.
This year, the Fourth of July falls on a Monday, and the day and evening in Ridgefield will be filled with a variety of activities, including a parade, Fun Runs, Pancake Breakfast, entertainment and more.
For more than 100 years, the small community of Ridgefield has celebrated the nation’s independence in a “big way.” The celebration has grown over the years into what the festival is today. It’s estimated around 5,000 people come to participate in the festivities in Ridgefield each year.
The Ridgefield Fourth of July Committee strives to keep the focus of the festival on honoring the nation’s birthday with a little fun thrown in. The Ridgefield Fourth of July Committee is an incorporated nonprofit organization that promotes a spirit of patriotism through the annual Independence Day Celebration in Ridgefield.
The committee is organized and operated solely by volunteers in the community; no committee member is paid.
There is always something for everyone to enjoy while in Ridgefield for the Fourth of July Celebration — free outdoor entertainment, Fun Runs, contests and games, food and beverages, arts and crafts, Street Dance, the parade and more.
Funding for these activities is raised through private and business donations, vendor fees and other application fees. Numerous volunteers all blend together each year to successfully this large Independence Day celebration in Ridgefield.
The Ridgefield Fourth of July celebration will kick off on Monday, July 4, with a Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Firefighters Association, starting at 7 a.m., at the Ridgefield Community Center, located at 210 N. Main Ave. The breakfast continues until 10 a.m.
The annual Fun Runs, a 5K and a 10K, will be held starting at 8 a.m. The Fun Runs will start at North Main Avenue and Simons Street, and both are an out-and-back course on rolling rural roads starting and finishing in downtown Ridgefield.
There will also be a Kids Dash at 7:50 a.m.
Race day registration begins at 7 a.m. Cost to participate in the 5K is $30 with a tech shirt or $20 without; cost to participate in the 10K is $40 with a tech shirt and $30 without. Cost to register on the day of the race is an additional $5. Proceeds will go to benefit the Ridgefield High School cross country team.
There is a limited number of shirts and sizes available to those registering on the day of the race; sign up prior to race day to ensure receiving a shirt. To register, go to http://www.runridgefield.com/july4th.html and click on the link on the bottom of the page.
Following the Fun Runs, the parade festivities will kick off with with the Pet & Kid Pre-Parade at 10:15 a.m., which will go along the parade route. Participants should gather at the corner of Pioneer Street and Main Avenue. Admission is free and no registration is required.
The Pet & Kid Pre-Parade will be followed by the main parade at 11 a.m. The theme of this year’s parade, sponsored by Corwin Distributing, is “Go for the Gold — Team Ridgefield.” Staging will be held in Abrams, and the parade will begin at 11 a.m., starting at Main Avenue and Division Street, and continuing to North Eighth Street and Pioneer Street. Grand marshal of this year’s parade is John Burroughs.
Once the parade has concluded, hungry attendees can head over to the Community Center at Main and Mill Street for the Salmon BBQ, put on by the Lions Club. The BBQ lunch will be going on from noon-3 p.m.
Kids Day, sponsored by UNFI and Dollar Tree, will also begin following the parade at about noon and will continue until 6 p.m. The Kids Day will be held in Ridgefield Refuge Overlook Park, located at Pioneer and Main.
Activities going on as a part of Kids Day will include face painting, a magician, children’s inflatables and more. Entertainment will be provided by Tony Starlight from noon-2 p.m., and The Strange Tones from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wristbands can be purchased for $5 and that price includes activities for the entire day.
A pie-eating contest will be held at 2:15 p.m. at the event stage in Overlook Park. Participation is free to those younger than 18 years of age. Participants can sign up at the souvenir booth.
Also from noon-6 p.m., a variety of food, drink and craft vendors will be selling items in and around Overlook Park.
From 5:3-9:30 p.m., the Dancing in the Park event will be held in Overlook Park. Sponsored by High Fidelity Entertainment, people of all ages are invited to participate in this free dancing event.
The usual fireworks display will not occur this year. Attendees are encouraged to check back the following year for updates.
More information on the Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration can be found online at www.ridgefield4th.com.
2016 Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration
Schedule of Events
7-10 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Firefighters Association, Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main Ave.
8 a.m. — Fun Runs, North Main Avenue and Simons Street. Cost is the 10K is $40 with a tech shirt, $30 without; cost for the 5K is $30 with a tech shirt, $20 without (cost for both is $5 more on the day of the race).
10:15 a.m. — Pet & Kid Pre-Parade, along the parade route, gather at the corner of Pioneer Street and Main Avenue, free admission and no registration is required.
11 a.m. — Fourth of July Parade, theme is “Go for the Gold — Team Ridgefield,” sponsored by Corwin Distributing, Main and Division to North Eighth Street and Pioneer, staging in Abrams Park.
Noon-3 p.m. — Salmon BBQ, sponsored by the Lions Club, Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N. Main Ave.
Noon-6 p.m. — Kids Day (following the parade), sponsored by UNFI and Dollar Tree, Ridgefield Refuge Overlook Park (Pioneer and Main). Face painting, magician, children’s inflatables and more. Entertainment provided provided by Tony Starlight from noon- 2 p.m. and The Strange Tones from 3:30-5:30 p.m., $5 wristbands, includes all activities for all day.
2:15 p.m. — Pie-eating Contest, free to those younger than 18 years of age, at the stage in Overlook Park, sign up at the souvenir booth.
Noon-6 p.m. — Food, drink and craft vendors, in and around Ridgefield Refuge Overlook Park.
5:30-9:30 p.m. — Dancing in the Park, presented by High Fidelity Entertainment, Ridgefield Refuge Overlook Park, all ages invited, free admission.
*There will be no fireworks display this year.
