Free Fireworks on the Columbia River 30 minutes from Portland
Are you a bit intimidated by the 4th of July crowds around Portland?  Perhaps, it’s time to try something different this 4th of July.  Here is a note from our friends in St. Helens, Oregon.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Saint Helens Olde Towne on the majestic Columbia River, just 30 minutes from Portland.

The St. Helens Foundation puts on a free fireworks show every year from the south end of Sand Island, a 42-acre island in the Columbia River.
Enjoy the display from Columbia View Park or out on the water. Tour Twilight movie locations and do the Twilight Scavenger Hunt.

Festivities all day in Olde Towne include the Rapture of Scrapture competition. Show it, see it, sell it or buy it.
Enter the day of by bringing your sculpture made from salvaged material. Sculptures must be in Columbia View Park by 10 a.m. and are on display until 3 p.m.
$100 awarded in each of three categories.

Special Guest Anita Wheeler, a Traditional Quileute storyteller presents at 1:00 p.m. as the Experience Twilight Eclipse Release Party nears conclusion. Limited seating.
Purchase advance tickets. www.experiencetwilight.com

Entertainment for the whole family begins at 3:00 p.m. in Columbia View Park and goes until 10 p.m.
Stake out your spot early and order take out from Olde Towne’s many restaurants.
Tap Dancers, Belly Dancers, Bo Skinny and Backstage Pass
For lodging and camping information go to travelcolumbiacounty.com

NEW FIRE RESTRICTION ON SAND ISLAND
The St. Helens Foundation provides a fireworks display for citizens and visitors annually on the 4th of July.
In the interest of public safety, during site prep and the period when several thousand pounds of explosive ordinance will be on the island, the City of St. Helens will take the following steps:

1.     Under the authority of St. Helens Municipal Code (SHMC) 8.24.100, Special Use Areas, the Public Works Director hereby establishes Sand Island as a special use area for set up and conduct of the Foundation’s annual fireworks display, from July 2nd through July 5th, inclusive.

2.     As a special use area, no open fires of any kind will be allowed on Sand Island from 6:00 am on July 4, 2010 until 2:00 am on July 5, 2010.

3.     As a reminder, per SHMC 8.24.050:  “No person shall ignite or use any type of firework, sparkler, snake, model rocket, rocket motor, other form of explosive, or smoke-producing device or material in any city park or on any city docks, except for qualified pyro-technicians with proper city, state and federal permits and liability insurance who may use Sand Island to ignite fireworks.”  This ordinance will be strictly enforced.