3.. 2..1.. 4th of July blasts off in TD as volunteers bring ‘90s Rock & Rockets - no ticket needed
Get Ready to Rumble — That 90’s Band will headline the America 250 FREE concert at Lewis & Clark Festival Park in The Dalles on Fourth of July. Whipsaw and The Strange Tones will also play as Beers of The Gorge will offer a beer garden and food and vendors will be on hand. Photo courtesy @jhessail1
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., June 16, 2026 — The Dalles is preparing for one of its largest Fourth of July celebrations in recent memory as two longtime community organizations join forces to create a daylong America 250 celebration culminating in the Fort Dalles Fourth fireworks show.
For the first time, Fort Dalles Fourth and The Dalles Main Street Program are partnering to present a free community celebration at Lewis & Clark Festival Park on Saturday, July 4, combining live music, local vendors, food, a beer garden and family activities into a single event designed to draw residents and visitors together in honor of America's 250th anniversary.
Festivities at the park will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the Fort Dalles Fourth fireworks display following immediately afterward.
"This is really about bringing the community together," organizers said. "We want people to spend the day in The Dalles, support local businesses, enjoy great music and celebrate Independence Day together."
Three Bands Set to Perform
Organizers will reopen the park at 5 p.m. and have secured three acts to headline the evening entertainment lineup.
Opening the evening will be Whipsaw, a Portland-based blues-punk duo featuring Henry Kammerer of Hillstomp on guitar and Noah Bernstein of The Taxpayers on percussion. Known for their raw energy, driving rhythms and gritty Northwest sound, Whipsaw has built a strong following in the PNW.
They will be followed by The Strange Tones, a Portland-based band known for its surf-inspired garage rock sound, high-energy performances and unique blend of rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and vintage rock influences.
The Strange Tones
Closing the evening will be Bend-based That 90's Band, a crowd favorite known throughout Central Oregon for recreating the soundtrack of a generation. The group boasts a catalog of more than 300 songs and is known for its thick, robust sound, strong vocal harmonies and faithful performances of the decade's biggest radio hits. Their setlists regularly feature music from artists ranging from Harvey Danger and The Presidents of the United States of America to the era's most recognizable rock acts. The band performs frequently at popular Central Oregon venues including Silver Moon Brewing and Midtown Ballroom in Bend and tours throughout the Pacific Northwest, bringing audiences a high-energy celebration of 1990s music.
Music is expected to begin around 6 p.m., allowing attendees time to arrive, find seating, visit vendors, purchase food and beverages, and settle in for the evening.
Events all Day Long
The celebration is designed to complement, not replace, traditional Fourth of July activities already taking place throughout the city.
Earlier in the day at Lewis & Clark Park, residents can participate in longstanding Fort Dalles Fourth traditions including the Rocket Run, Community Breakfast, Yoga in the Park.
Rocket Run will start at Lewis & Clark Festival Park at First and Union streets at 7 a.m. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. A community breakfast and Yoga will follow at the park at 8 a.m.
The Fourth of July Parade will follow at 10 a.m. on the traditional route.
Go Lady, Go!
The Dalles Main Street is also organizing a new Downtown Discovery Bingo promotion encouraging residents and visitors to explore downtown businesses, collect stamps and qualify for prize drawings while supporting local merchants.
Organizers hope the passport-style activity will encourage people to spend the entire mid-day in The Dalles before making their way to Lewis & Clark Festival Park for the evening festivities.
Click to Enlarge - the red line indicates the parade route. It starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4th, but the timing of when you will see it depends on where you choose to view it from. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Old St. Peter’s Landmark at the intersection of Third and Lincoln streets.
Food, Vendors and Beer Garden at Free Concert
In addition to live entertainment, attendees can expect a variety of local vendors, food offerings and a beer garden featuring regional beverages while the bands play.
Organizers are currently recruiting additional food vendors and community booths to join the celebration. Food vendors are expected to offer a diverse range of options, while merchants and nonprofit organizations will showcase products, services and community programs.
A dedicated beer garden will operate throughout the event, while organizers are also working to provide non-alcoholic beverage options and free water stations.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the park atmosphere while listening to live music along the Columbia River.
Community Effort
The event is being presented through a partnership between Fort Dalles Fourth, The Dalles Main Street Program and McLaughlin Events, with support from sponsors, volunteers and local businesses.
Organizers estimate the concert event budget at approximately $20,000 and continue to seek sponsors and volunteers to help offset costs associated with entertainment, security, infrastructure and event operations.
Fort Dalles Fourth, a tireless group of volunteers, have again made their budget of around $50,000 through fundraising to purchase and ignite the aerial display of fireworks that is enjoyed by all in The Dalles.
The concert event will feature professional security, expanded seating areas, family-friendly activities and a welcoming atmosphere designed to create a safe and enjoyable Independence Day experience for all ages.
A Fireworks Show Worth Staying For
Photo Courtesy Amanda Lea
While the music and community celebration will fill the evening, organizers expect the biggest crowd of the day to gather along the Columbia River for the Fort Dalles Fourth fireworks spectacular.
The professionally choreographed display will feature approximately 20 minutes of pyrotechnics launched from barges on the Columbia River, creating a unique viewing experience made possible by the natural bends of the river surrounding The Dalles. Unlike many communities where spectators must crowd into a single viewing area, the fireworks can be enjoyed from numerous locations throughout the city, the waterfront and surrounding hillsides.
The show concludes with a massive grand finale featuring an incredible rapid-fire volley of aerial shells synchronized to music, producing a wall of color, sound and light over the river. Organizers believe the display ranks among the finest Independence Day fireworks shows in Oregon and remains one of the signature traditions of the Columbia Gorge.
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, organizers hope the combined efforts of The Dalles Main Street Program and Fort Dalles Fourth will create a memorable day that showcases community pride, local businesses and the small-town spirit that has long defined Independence Day in The Dalles.
The America 250 Community Celebration and Fort Dalles Fourth fireworks show are made possible through the generous support of Columbia Gorge Affordable Homes, Timmons Law PC, Optimist Printers, Freebridge Brewing, Meadow Outdoor Advertising, Hattenhauer Distributing Co., Spooky's Pizza & Sandwiches, Bernert Barge Lines, McDonald's of the Gorge, Approved Safe Storage, Grocery Outlet, Pray Electric, Columbia Gorge Toyota Honda, Cochenour Builders Inc., Cousins Country Inn, Western Display Fireworks, the City of The Dalles, CCCNews and Casa El Mirador.
If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the events, please contact mclaughlin.events.marketing@gmail.com
