COLUMBIA BASIN — The nation’s birthday will be celebrated with parades, tournaments, flash and plenty of sparkles, with three local communities sponsoring festivities and fireworks.

Moses Lake leads off with “Red, White and Boom!” July 1.

The Moses Lake Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday during the summer and July 1 is no exception; it’s in McCosh Park, which also hosts a scavenger hunt from noon to 2 p.m. Festivities move to West Third Avenue from 2 to 5 p.m. with games and an open mike at Sinkiuse Square. Bilingual Storytime is scheduled for 3 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 4:40 p.m. at the Obra Project building, 205 S. Division St. Sinkiuse Square also will host a street taco contest, with judging from 4 to 5 p.m.

The action then moves back to McCosh Park at 5 p.m. for games and activities with the help of the mobile recreation program operated by Moses Lake Parks and Recreation. There’s an open beanbag toss game as well, and food vendors will set up in the park through 10 p.m.

“Stone In Love,” a tribute to the legendary 1980s rock band Journey, will perform in concert from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The concert is free. The fireworks, scheduled for about 10 p.m., finish off the day.

Othello’s July 4 celebration will be on Independence Day and is still a work in progress, but some events have been announced.

Runners and walkers start early at 7 a.m. at the Let Freedom Run race. People can register online or at the Othello Chamber of Commerce office, 705 E. Hemlock St., download the registration form or register online. The annual July 4 parade starts down Main Street at 10 a.m.; traditionally it’s full of fire trucks, horses, cars and children. The entry form is available on the Chamber’s social media.

Activities shift to the park where, among other events, a coed volleyball tournament is scheduled. Teams can find registration information on Chamber social media. Music also is scheduled for the park, as wella as food vendors. The fireworks will wrap up the festivities at dusk.

The town of George will be celebrating more than 65 years at its July 4 celebration on Independence Day, including the signature attraction, a cherry pie that the town claims is the biggest in the world.

There will be plenty to do before the pie and ice cream, including the annual Cherry Bomb Run at 8:30 a.m., and vendors serving breakfast in the George Community Park all morning. Food and market vendors will be in the park throughout the day.

The July 4 parade rolls through town at 10 a.m. A ceremony to remember the day’s purpose is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the park.

The Georgettes community group start working on the pie at about 7 a.m., and pie is served at noon. Traditionally the pie poses for pictures - actually, there’s a setup where people can get pictures - after the parade. Live music is scheduled for the park stage throughout the afternoon. The fireworks end the day at dusk.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].