Leavenworth to host America 250 community celebration on Fourth of July

LEAVENWORTH — This year’s Fourth of July holiday will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, prompting “America 250” celebrations across the country, including Leavenworth. 

The America 250 Upper Valley Community Celebration (UVCC) will commemorate the semiquincentennial with a family-friendly, fair-like evening of water activities and field games, entertainment, food and vendor booths, and historical and cultural presentations, and a light show after dark.

Organized by a volunteer coalition of community members, the event is intended as an inclusive, nonpartisan celebration honoring our shared history while strengthening community connections.

“It’s really meant to bring us all together and to celebrate what we do have in common,” said UVCC organizer Mike Worden.

A centerpiece of the event will be the history center, a large tent featuring video presentations about the Declaration of Independence and banners highlighting major moments in national and state history.

“I believe everybody's going to walk out of seeing that presentation more informed about the Declaration [of Independence] than they ever were before,” said Worden.

Much of the evening will focus on the Upper Valley itself, highlighting local history, connecting neighbors, and celebrating the faces and organizations that shape the community.

“The strength of America is in local communities. It's not in a larger government. It's your neighbors, it's your school, it's your local businesses,” said Worden, adding that the goal of the event is to boost pride and cohesion in the community.

As such, the evening will showcase a number of local organizations sharing information about their mission and hosting an activity tied to the event’s mission. For instance, the Leavenworth Lions Club plans to have a trivia spinning wheel, while Hand in Hand Immigration Services plans to host bingo and offer help with voter registration. Chelan County Fire District #3 and Cascade Medical Center EMS will bring their response vehicles for the opportunity to “Touch-a-Truck.” The fire district also plans to provide a fire ladder truck for water activities.

“Each one of these activities is designed to educate, to entertain, and to create an opportunity to really appreciate what's special about this particular community,” said Worden.

The evening will be packed with stage entertainment, including performances by Danzas Multiculturales, Leavenworth Alphorns, Devorah Gottesman and the Bavarian Brass Quartet. It will also feature a Color Guard from American Legion Post 10 and various patriotic ceremonies.

Instead of fireworks, the night will culminate with a light show and presentation tailored to conveying the community’s story.

Families are welcome to bring their own picnic, but there will also be various food options for purchase, including hamburgers and hot dogs, tacos, BBQ and sweet treats, such as “Martha Washington Apple Pie” by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The community celebration will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4 at the Alpine Lakes Elementary School Sports Field. The organizers recommend bringing a blanket, beach chairs and swim wear for water activities.

The field can be accessed by the east entrance on Titus Road, or the west entrance off Pine Street, through Alpine Lakes Elementary. Parking is available by donation at Cascade High School, Icicle River Middle School, and Alpine Lakes Elementary (ADA priority). Street parking is free.

Since the event will be held at Alpine Lakes, school rules apply; firearms, alcohol, pets or smoking are not allowed.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media