MOSES LAKE — Back when the United States was founded, John Adams told his wife Abigail the day should be celebrated with fireworks and “illuminations” and general good times. And in the Columbia Basin the country’s birthday will be celebrated with fireworks – and parades and music and running events and classic cars and soccer tournaments and the world’s largest cherry pie and – whew. That’s a lot.

Fireworks will light the sky over Moses Lake Saturday night, the finale of a day featuring music in McCosh Park. George and Othello will celebrate Monday with parades and community events, culminating in fireworks displays when the sun goes down.

Moses Lake

The crucial vote for independence was taken July 2, 1776 and that was the day John Adams (who was there) thought should be the focus of celebration. In 2016 sponsors of the Moses Lake fireworks show, the Moses Lake Farmer’s Market, are taking Adams’ advice to heart.

The day kicks off at the weekly Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. 2 p.m., which will feature a bouncy house and live entertainment along with its usual fare of fresh fruits and vegetables and other vendors.

The evening program kicks off with a Food Truck Rodeo at 4 p.m. in McCosh Park. Well, maybe it’s more of a roundup – local food trucks will be corralled in one parking lot, where people can choose from the different cuisines.

The music also starts at 4 p.m. Four bands will be playing until the fireworks show starts about 10 p.m. They include Wyatt Wood, Spokane; Cruise Control, Tri-Cities; One Street Over, Spokane, and Dionvox, Seattle.

The day winds up with fireworks show. “This will be the largest fireworks display in Grant County,” said Bruce Bailey, vice president for the Farmer’s Market, in an earlier interview.

George

The world’s largest cherry pie is the star of the show in George, but there’s a lot going on before and after pie is served.

But the pie does need to be assembled, and that starts at 7 a.m. in the pie pavilion in the city park. Breakfast will be served in the park from 7 to 10 a.m.

Registration for the Cherry Bomb Run also begins at 7 a.m. at the race starting line, the island on Montmorency Boulevard, two blocks from the park. The run itself starts at 8:30 a.m.

Registration and lineup for the annual parade begins at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at the Martha Inn. The parade begins at 10 a.m., and participants march down one side of Main Street, turn around and come back down the other side. Children’s games start in the park when the parade is over.

The local VFW post will raise the American flag in the park at 11 a.m., featuring the ringing of the park’s bell and a 21-gun salute. Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, will give a speech. George mayor Gerene Nelson will introduce the Citizen of the Year, Tony Liebelt.

The “Stars, Bars and Classic Cars” show is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Main Street. Award winners will be announced at 2:45 p.m.

A pie-eating and cherry-pit-spitting contest is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., and cherry pie will be served at noon. Music will be featured in the park all afternoon. Performers include the Bread of Life Church Band, Los Vega, Mike Faast and the Jangles and the Darnell Scott Band. The day ends with fireworks show at dusk.

Othello

The celebration in Othello kicks off with check-in for the annual Freedom Fun Run at 6:30 a.m., with the race following at 7 a.m. Runners (and walkers) have their choice of 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers or 1-mile distances. The run begins and ends in Lions Park, which is the center for most activities.

The Othello Rotary will serve breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. in Lions Park.

Registration for the soccer tournament begins at 8 a.m., with games starting at 10 a.m. and continuing all day. The annual parade also starts at 10 a.m.; the route takes participants from the park, down Main Street and back to the park.

Local Boy Scouts will officially raise the flag after the parade, at about 11:15 a.m., in the park. Abby Christensen will sing the national anthem.

The afternoon will feature children’s games from 1 to 3 p.m. in the park, and demonstrations and musicians on the stage. Othello Distinguished Young Women pageant participants will present a program at noon, followed by singer Toby Black. Students at the Othello School of Karate will demonstrate their skills at 3 p.m., and the Othello High School Drill Team performs at 4 p.m.

Kiela Garza will perform at 5 p.m., with the Bethel Youth at 6 p.m. A lip-sync contest is scheduled for 8 to 9:30 p.m., with the fireworks at dusk.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].