Here’s our 2012 4th of July festivities and fireworks round-up for Portland.  If you’re feeling up for some adventure, we’ve also included locations within an hour or so driving distance (listed alphabetically).  If it’s fireworks you’re after, there are plenty of those listed here.  But it’s more than just fireworks around here – there are rodeos, carnivals, music concerts, hikes, and lots more to keep you and your family entertained this Independence Day!

As always, help everyone out by letting us know what we’ve missed by posting a comment below.  And let us know your favorite viewing spots for the Portland firework displays.  Mt. Tabor?  Oaks Park?  Southwest Waterfront?  (Or your favorite tricks for getting your kids to sleep through the noise.)

Happy Fourth!

What: East Portland Community Center 15th annual Independence Day parade. With pre-parade activities like face painting, hot dogs, a climbing wall, and crafts.
Where: Where: East Portland Community Center Pool, 740 SE 106th
When: Tuesday, July 3, 10:30-12:30
Cost: Free!

What: Oregon City 3rd of July Celebration at Fireworks. he event begins at 2pm with family activities including bounce houses, a dunk tank, birds, reptiles, carnival games and a hard cider tasting. A concert featuring Pickwick, The Portland Cello Project and Ben Rue starts at 6pm and a spectacular fireworks display begins at 10pm.
Where: Oregon Garden, 879 W. Main St., Silverton
When: Tuesday, July 3, 2-10
Cost: Regular garden admission applies (free under 5; $5 children; $8 ages 12-17; $9 seniors; $11 adults)

What: Take a cab ride on the No. 100 Locomotive by Oaks Park, run by the Oregon Pacific Railroad.
Where:Just across Oaks Park in Sellwood
When: Wednesday, July 4, 12-5
Cost: $5-10

What: Traditionally there’s a  Ladd’s Addition Annual 4th of July Parader. Get our your dolled up bikes, wagons, strollers, scotters and outfits to join in the red, white & blue parade down Elliott Avenue, around Ladds Circle, and ending at Abernethy School for a cool treat.
Where: Meet at 1821 SE Elliott
When: Last year’s was July 4th, 11 AM
Cost: Free!

What: Traditionally there’s also an Eastmoreland Annual Fourth of July Parade. Kids decorate bikes and wagons and dress in costume. Pets welcome! The parade is led by a police car and fire engine. Afterwards everyone is welcome to free Otto’s hot dogs, ice cream, and soda.
Where: Starts at Duniway School, 7700 Reed College Place
When: Last year’s was, July 4, 11 AM
Cost: Free!

What: 4th of July Parade and BBQ at the Hillside Community Center. Join for a parade, and then a BBQ with hot dogs, chips, and drinks – and bring your own for potluck sharing. Neighbors with last names A-L bring desserts; M-Z bring salads.
Where: Parade starts at Cumberland and Powhattan.
When: Wednesday, July 4, 11 AM
Cost: Free!

What: Waterfront Blues Festival PLUS fireworks. Come for the music, stay for the fireworks (or hey, vice versa!)
Where: Tom McCall Waterfront Park
When: The festival goes on July 4-8. On the 4th, fireworks begin at 10
Cost: Admission to the festival is $10 per person per day, plus 2 cans of nonperishable food for the Oregon Food Bank

What: Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Oaks Park Amusement Park PLUS Fireworks
Where: Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way
When: Wednesday, July 4. Park opens at 10 AM; fireworks begin at dusk
Cost: $5 ages 16 and over; $3 under 15; $3 seniors 62 and up

What: Fourth of July celebration in Corbett, Oregon. Events include a pancake breakfast, parade, music, fun zone inflatables, vendors, clowns, balloons, and – of course –fireworks.
Where: 35800 East Historic Columbia Rvr, Corbett, OR
When: Wednesday, July 4, all day
Cost: $5 entrance fee

What: Estacada 4th of July Big Bang Fun Festival. Carnival, parade, fireworks, live music – sounds like it’s worth the trip!
Where: 30700 SE Eagle Creek Road, Estacada OR
When: Carnival goes on July 3-7. On the 4th, carnival opens at 12; fireworks start at 10
Cost: Free!

What: Festivities at Blue Lake Regional Park in Fariview, OR. Note: no fireworks this year.
Where: Blue Lake Regional Park, Fairview OR
When: Wednesday, July 4
Cost: $10 per car

What: Happy Valley 4th of July Fireworks and celebration. Enjoy an independence hike, carnival rides and games, and live entertainment.
Where: Happy Valley Park, 13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd., Happy Valley, OR
When: Wednesday, July 4, 9 AM – 11 PM
Cost: Free!

What: Hillsboro hosts its annual parade this July 4th.
Where: Map available here, Hillsboro, OR
When: Wednesday, July 4
Cost: Free!

What: 4th of July Celebration in Hood River. Celebrate Independence Day with and old-fashioned parade, a BBQ festival at Jackson Park, live music, and games. The day ends with fireworks over the Columbia River.
Where: Hood River Heights, Hood River
When: Wednesday, July 4, 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Cost: Free!

What: Lake Oswego’s 4th of July celebration, pancake breakfast, parade, face painting, BBQ, pie eating contest, and fireworks display
Where: Millennium Plaza Park (parade) and Lake Grove Swim Center (fireworks) Lake Oswego
When: Wednesday, July 4. Festivities begin at 11; BBQ at noon; Fireworks at 9:45
Cost: Free!

What: Molalla Buckeroo festival, carnival, rodeo, parade AND fireworks display. Phew!
Where: 815 Shirley Street, Molalla, OR
When: The festival starts June 30. On the 4th, the parade begins at 9:30 AM and the rodeo starts at 8, with fireworks, music, and dancing to follow
Cost: Rodeo tickets are $13/$15

What: City of Tigard Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. Includes clowns, live music, kids’ games, police and fire vehicles, concession stand, and FIREWORKS!
Where: Tigard High School, 9000 SW Durham Rd.
When: Wednesday, July 4. Gates open at 6, fireworks at dusk
Cost: Free!

What: Independence Day at Fort Vancouver. Enjoy traditional family fun games and entertainment all day, a parade, and a fireworks display.
Where: Fort Vancouver, Vancouver WA
When: Wednesday, July 4. Gates open at 8; entertainment starts at noon; fireworks at 10:05 PM
Cost: $5 general admission in advance; $7 at the door. Kids 12 and under are free

And these PP&R’s swimming pools are open for business on the 4th:

• East Portland: 11:30-1 family swim; 1-5 open play swim
• Grant: 12-1 parent-preschool swim; 1:10-4:25 open swim; 4:30-6 family play swim
• Mt Scott: 12-1 family swim; 1-3:30 open play swim
• Pier:  1-5 open play swim
• Sellwood: 1-5 open play swim
• Southwest: 11:30-1 family swim; 1-5:30 open play
• Wilson: 12-6 open play