No 4th of July event or fireworks at Fort Vancouver in 2009

Official fireworks stands support new Independence Day at Fort Vancouver event in 2010

(June 24, 2009 – VANCOUVER, WA) For the first time in 47 years, Fort Vancouver will not have a July 4th fireworks celebration. Fort Vancouver National Trust, the non-profit organization that produces the event, is reminding people that the 4th of July fireworks and all-day musical event at Fort Vancouver has been cancelled for 2009. Many factors led to the decision, but the bottom line is that the production expenses had grown to nearly half a million dollars. Revenues could not be sustained to cover these expenses.

The Fort Vancouver National Trust is planning an all new “Independence Day at Fort Vancouver” event in 2010 which will feature fireworks in addition to more historical connections and family-friendly activities. Donations toward the 2010 celebration are now being accepted online at the Trust’s Web site (www.fortvan.org) or at the Trust office on Officers Row (O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson Street, Vancouver, WA 98661). Purchasing fireworks from one of the official 4th of July fireworks stands is another way to help support next year’s Independence Day at Fort Vancouver event and fireworks display. The official fireworks stand locations that help support the event are below. All have Vancouver addresses:

Vacant lot next to Wal-Mart, 220 NE 104th Avenue (Western Fireworks)
K-Mart parking lot, 2711 NE Andresen Road (Western Fireworks)
Riverstone Marketplace Shopping Center parking lot, 3515 SE 192nd Avenue (both Western Fireworks and Phantom Fireworks)
GI Joe’s parking lot, 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. (Bomber Brothers)
Next to Shari’s, 2100 SE 164th Avenue (Bomber Brothers)
Big Al’s parking lot, 1801 SE 164th Avenue (Bomber Brothers)
Parkrose Hardware of Washington, 16509 SE 1st Street (Phantom Fireworks)
Andresen Marketplace, 7611 NE 63rd Street, Vancouver (Western Fireworks)
Vacant lot, 12804 NE Fourth Plain (Western Fireworks)
Next to Yard & Garden Land, 1502 NE 102nd Street (Bomber Brothers)
Southwest corner of 117th Avenue and Padden Parkway (Bomber Brothers)
SE corner of Minnehaha and Highway 99 (Phantom Fireworks)
A-Boy Plumbing, 63rd and Minnehaha in Hazel Dell (Gene and Kristine Marlow)
The Fort Vancouver National Trust thanks Bomber Brothers, Phantom Fireworks, Western Fireworks and Gene & Kristine Marlow for operating the Trust’s firework stand licenses in support of the event in 2010. Without these supporters, the future of a July 4th event at Fort Vancouver would be in doubt.

Although the fireworks show and all-day 4th of July celebration is cancelled this year, Fort Vancouver, the Visitor Center and the Fort Vancouver Bookstore will be open on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to tour the Fort and to bring a picnic lunch. No personal fireworks, barbeques, alcohol or pets will be allowed on the site on July 4.

The Vancouver Fire Department is reminding community members of the reduced legal fireworks season in the City. Fireworks may not be discharged on July 5th. For information, visit www.vanfire.org.

As details of the 2010 Independence Day at Fort Vancouver event are determined, they will be available on the Trust’s Web site, www.fortvan.org. The Trust is referring people to other July 4th events nearby:

Vancouver Farmers Market celebration & music: www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com
Vancouver Rodeo: www.VancouverRodeo.com
Ridgefield’s 4th of July: www.lewisriver.com/ridgefield/fourth
Washougal’s 4th of July Centennial Celebration: www.downtownwashougal.org
Stevenson—Red Wine, Jazz, Art & Fireworks at Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center: www.columbiagorge.org/red-win-blues-event.html
Stevenson—CNW Construction Summer Concerts at Skamania Lodge July 4th with Patrick Lamb, Stevenson Fireworks: www.ticketsoregon.com
Longview’s Go Fourth Festival: www.gofourthfestival.org
Long Beach--Fireworks at the Beach: www.funbeach.com
Portland--Waterfront Blues Festival: www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
Portland--Oaks Park Fireworks Spectacular: www.oakspark.com