Lots of things happening this Fourth of July, which falls on Friday this year. I've updated the calendar, but here's a rundown:

• The Pet Parade and Old Fashioned Celebration, Downtown. Starting at 10am, this is a perennial favorite; people walking pets of all stripe through downtown. Then the rest of the celebration is taken up in Drake Park, from 11 til 4, where "You'll find craft and food booths, old fashioned games like three legged races, watermelon eating contest and water balloon contest as well as wonderful live entertainment."
• Also starting at 10 (and lasting until 4) is the Friends of the Bend Library Summer Book Sale. Deals to be found here as always.
• WebCyclery's Firecracker 100 Bike Ride is a July 4th tradition (it's their 9th). "Patriotic clothing is recommended, so wear your stars and stripes! The ride is about 65 miles (starts and finishes in Alfalfa), is fully supported, and has a rest/food stop in Prineville. Meet at the corner of Alfalfa Market Road & Johnson Ranch Road (at the power station). Ride begins at 8-8:30AM (Beat the Heat)."
• It is also First Friday, and since I haven't heard otherwise, I'll assume it's still going on (didn't know if it was clashing with the holiday?). Downtown Bend and the Old Mill hosts art gallery receptions with music and (typically) wine and snacks. Starts at 5 and runs until 9 or so.
• The Fourth of July BBQ at Jake's Diner runs from 6 until 8pm, and people are welcome to watch the Pilot Butte fireworks from their parking lot.
• Of course, the annual fireworks show from Pilot Butte starts at 10pm, and lasts about 20 minutes. Don't miss it!

Outside of Bend:

• Sunriver Resort has an Old Fashioned Carnival from 4 to 8pm and provides a shuttle ($15 per person) to take you into Bend to watch the Pilot Butte fireworks.
• Redmond has their own parade downtown starting at 10am, and a fireworks show at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center starting approximately at 9pm.
• Prineville's Old Fashioned 4th of July has a multi-event race, a pancake breakfast, parade, music and vendors in the park, and fireworks from their viewpoint in the evening.
• La Pine's Frontier Days are running through the weekend, with their own parade at 10:30am and fireworks at 10pm.
• Out in Culver at Maragas Winery (north of the Gorge), they're having their Independence Day Weekend Barbecue. Through Sunday, from 12 until 5 each day. Cost is $10 for wine and cheese tasting, and there will be music and winery tours.
• Sisters Elementary School hosts the weekend's "Sisters Round-up of Gems"—free admission. Not necessarily directly related to the Fourth, but it always takes places on the respective weekend.
• Black Butte Ranch has a ton of things going on, including a Bike Decorating Party and following Bike Parade, live entertainment, and a BBQ picnic. Cost is $15 for the BBQ.

Wildfire Brewing has kegs for sale for this 4th of July. Dock sales format, and there might be some dock sale deals to be found, too.

Prices:

• 5 gallon soda-style keg (1/6 bbl): $58
• Pony keg (1/2 bbl): $74
• Full 50L keg: $113

You can find Wildfire at:

20750 High Desert Lane #107 (off of Empire across from Mt. Hood Beverage)
(541) 585-1007

Each year Commute Options Week helps commuters save gas, improve air quality and get some exercise by reducing miles traveled.

Combined, the 8,250 employees from 92 businesses who participated in the Commuter Challenge Monday through Friday from June 16-22, eliminated a record 46,390 motor vehicle miles from our local roads.

“Many of our challenge participants are year round partners but we had a lot of first-time challengers also which is encouraging” says Chloe Honaker, Commute Options Week Coordinator. A good example is Bank of the Cascades who registered all of its branches for the first time ever. “This was such an awesome opportunity to get the department involved in a shared interest, improve the health of our selves, our environment and to encourage continued mindful commuting. Thanks to our coordinator Cris and Commute Options for Central Oregon!” says Jaime Eichman in the Mortgage Center.

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