Celebrate the Fourth with a festival in the park

Auburn's Fourth of July Festival, an old-fashioned, hometown celebration, returns to Les Gove Park on Monday.

For the Reporter

Auburn’s Fourth of July Festival, an old-fashioned, hometown celebration, returns to Les Gove Park on Monday.

The free festival unfolds from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the park, 910 Ninth St. SE, and includes a Kids’ Bike Parade at noon, a variety of handcrafted artisan vendors, food concessions and activities for all ages.

Children of all ages may line up on their decorated bicycles, tricycles, strollers, wagons or unicycles for the parade beginning at 11:30 a.m. Festively-decorated golf carts carrying Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Auburn City Council members and other dignitaries will lead the parade.

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More than 40 craft vendors will offer an array of hand-crafted items, from jewelry and kids’ items to fine art and candles, the Auburn Golf Course will offer mini golf, and festival goers can admire unique cars in the car show. The White River Valley Museum will offer free admission during the festival, and the Auburn Bocce Club will provide free instruction and demos. This year’s event also features a book sale in the Les Gove Building, hosted by the Friends of the Auburn Library, bingo, an apple pie eating contest, a food court and face painting.

An event wristband may be purchased for $5 and is good for unlimited games of miniature golf, petting zoo visits, rides on the trackless train, pony carousel and Tubs O’ Fun, play on all inflatable rides, participation on the rock climbing wall and bungy trampolines and balloon art.

New this year is the Aerial Assault Extreme Entertainment (AAEE) team, which will provide five, 30-minute, gravity-defying shows at the festival. AAEE is a touring group of world-class entertainers and acrobats providing heart-pounding trampoline shows.

The Main Stage boasts the energetic ’50s and ’60s rock and roll band, Wally & The Beavs, from 11 to 12:30 p.m. Brand-X: The Band rocks the stage from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with classic and modern rock favorites. The Ian McFeron Band, playing Americana Folk Rock, will end the afternoon.

The City of Auburn and the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department – with support from the Muckleshoot Casino – present the festival.