Fun on the Fourth: City brings festival to the park

July 2, 2019 1:30 pm
Valeria Del Razo Artadi jumps on the inflatable during the Fourth of July Festival last year to Les Gove Park. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter
Valeria Del Razo Artadi jumps on the inflatable during the Fourth of July Festival last year to Les Gove Park. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

Auburn’s Fourth of July Festival returns to Les Gove Park for a day of celebration Thursday.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the park, 910 Ninth St. SE. The hometown celebration features a Kids’ Bike Parade, a variety of handcrafted artisan vendors, live entertainment, food concessions and activities for all ages.

Children of all ages may line up on their decorated bicycles, tricycles, strollers, wagons or unicycles beginning at 11:30 a.m. The parade begins at noon and is followed by an official welcome from Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus on the Main Stage.

Free festival activities include bocce, museum activities, face painting, Maker’s Space activity, the Discovery Playground, Spray Playground, and the Indoor Playground.

An event wristband can be purchased for $5 and is good for unlimited games and activities. Wristband sales begin at 10 a.m.

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 and a food court.

New this year is Vuelta La Luna Circus Variety Show, featuring aerialists, an acrobatics duo, circus magic tricks and kids interaction. The first of the four shows begins at 11:30 a.m. Between shows, there will be roving entertainment.

The Freedom Stage welcomes Wally & The Beavs, playing ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n roll. Also performing is Hall Pass Band, playing rock and pop favorites.

The Auburn Fourth of July Festival is presented by the city of Auburn and produced by the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department.

Complete event information, including driving directions, parking information, a festival map and entertainment schedule is available at auburnwa.gov/events.