Major Sponsors Say Fort Dalles Fourth Is About Bringing the Community Together

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Jul 3

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., July 3, 2026 — As thousands of people prepare to gather at Lewis and Clark Festival Park for Saturday's Fort Dalles Fourth and America 250 Celebration in The Dalles, one of the event's largest financial supporters says the decision to help sponsor the community celebration came down to something simple:

Bringing People Together.

Columbia Gorge Affordable Homes stepped forward this year as one of the major sponsors of the Independence Day celebration and fireworks show, helping make the free community event possible.

Owner JR Pullen said supporting the Fourth of July celebration was an easy decision.

"Fourth of July is, to me, one of the most important times of our year because it celebrates our country," Pullen said. "Our patriotism ... it's a fun thing to support, an honor to be able to do that, and I just like to put my support out there for everybody."

For Pullen, the holiday also brings back memories of childhood summers, fireworks and the excitement that came with school letting out.

"Fourth of July is a fun time of year," he said. "Growing up as a kid, it coincides with the beginning of summer. You're out of school, and it just kind of starts things off."

Beyond the fireworks and festivities, Pullen believes Independence Day provides something increasingly valuable — an opportunity for neighbors to come together despite their differences.

"One of the things I really appreciate about the Fourth of July is it's kind of the one thing that all of us can get behind — this idea of country and belonging," Pullen said. "… we need to unite. There's so much divisiveness going on nowadays, and if we can have an event that brings the whole community together, it strengthens our area and strengthens our town."

Pullen said he considers it an honor to help ensure the tradition continues.

"I'm honored, very honored to be helping out and be one of the sponsors," he said. "Let's continue on."

Grocery Outlet owner Cody Miller has shared that commitment for several years, sponsoring the Fort Dalles Fourth celebration since 2021 and serving on the event's planning committee for the past three years.

"I have been sponsoring the Fourth since 2021 and have been on the Fourth planning committee for three years," Miller said. "The Fourth event is good for the community and good for morale and for uniting our town."

Miller said he hopes to recreate the kind of hometown Independence Day celebrations he enjoyed growing up.

"As a kid, we would go to Condon for the Fourth," he said. "I remember potato sack races, karaoke and picnics. I wanted to continue that here in The Dalles as well."

This year's Fort Dalles Fourth and America 250 Celebration will feature live music, local food vendors, a beer garden, family activities and one of the Columbia Gorge's largest fireworks displays.

Organizers expect thousands of residents and visitors to attend the free community celebration at Lewis & Clark Festival Park, 110 Union Street, which also serves as The Dalles' official kickoff to the nationwide America 250 commemoration honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In addition to its major presenting sponsor, the Fort Dalles Fourth and America 250 Celebration is supported by dozens of community businesses and organizations. Community sponsors include the City of The Dalles, Bernert Barge Lines, Western Display Fireworks, Grocery Outlet, Pray Electric, Columbia Gorge Toyota & Honda, Gorge Winds Concert Band, Casa El Mirador, Hattenhauer Distributing, McDonald's of the Gorge, Meadow Outdoor Advertising, Spooky's Pizza, Cousins Country Inn, The Dalles Lions Club, Port of The Dalles, Pure Yoga, H2Oregon, Gorge Country Media, Pine Ridge Dental and Mattress World NW.

Click here to get a full rundown on America 250 Celebration in The Dalles.