OTHELLO — Lions Park was a busy place Saturday as people from all around the basin gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July. Festivities began at 10 a.m. with the parade down Main Street and continued through the evening, concluding with a fireworks ceremony. 

“It was definitely a success,” said Jackie Wilhelm, Executive Director for the Othello Chamber of Commerce. “For me one of my favorite things is the parade and just knowing that it’s grown so much from four years ago when I started as the director.” 

This year’s parade was the largest and longest yet with 55 total entries and some having multiple vehicles, said Wilhelm.  

“We just count by registration, but some people bring three or four, whatever it may be,” she said. “We were super excited that it was so long.” 

The parade, which ran for an hour and a half, brought together members from all around the community in their red, white and blue adorned vehicles as they greeted and passed out candy to bystanders. 

Once the parade concluded, the main event began in Lions Park as people gathered to partake in food and beverages from local vendors. Local athletes also competed in a variety of competitions throughout the park including volleyball, basketball, bean bag toss and a skate spin-out competition. 

At noon all attention was turned to the center of the park as local veterans were joined by law enforcement for the flag raising ceremony.

During the flag raising, three young Othello residents held performances with Mariana Alvarado singing the National Anthem, Lorenzo Juarez leading the pledge of allegiance and Sidney Wilhelm singing Fifty Nifty United States. What was special about these performances is that the director said each of the children volunteered themselves. 

“This was the first year I think we had the kids do everything as far as the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance and a song,” said Wilhelm. “We just really want to incorporate the youth.” 

A good chunk of people in Othello will attend the entire day of events for the Fourth of July so Wilhelm said this year the focus was to give those in attendance plenty of free activities. 

For the children there was a potato sack race, musical chairs and bubbles and bubble supplies donated by Walmart and Ace Hardware. There were also live music, performances by the Othello High School Drill team and Dance Set and an America themed trivia night held. 

A car show was also held at the park where people could vote for their favorites out of the vehicles on display. Sam Garza won the Best of Show award, Cher Bergdhal won the All-American award and Jeremiah Vargas won the People’s Choice award. 

Something unique that the chamber added in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary was the time capsule. Throughout the day attendees could fill out a form that would be added to the time capsule along with some pictures taken at the Fourth of July event. 

At the end of the day the time capsule was delivered to the Othello Community Museum where it will sit until Friday, July 4, 2036, and will be opened again for that year’s event. Those filling out forms expressed excitement as many of the children participating, who are currently in elementary school, will be at the end of their high school journeys when the capsule is reopened. 

The day concluded with a fireworks show that Wilhelm said the city allocated extra funding for this year. 

“I did hear a lot of people saying that it was a really great show,” she said. “It was a lot longer than they’re used to.” 

When all was said and done, Wilhelm said she was satisfied with how things turned out for the city’s Fourth of July celebration this year.

As the chamber begins preparations for next year's event, one of the main goals for Wilhelm is to try and bring in more diversity on live music performances. 

“I definitely want to try and find more local American bands and things like that,” she said. “While we have a really large Hispanic population, I do want to be sure to cater to the diversity in Othello.” 

The director said all the success from this year’s tournament was thanks to the hard work and time put in by the volunteer workers. 

“It takes a village so wherever there's a volunteer that can help me step up to share some ideas or suggestions, we’re always open to improving and becoming bigger and better,” said Wilhelm.  

Another reason for the continued success each year comes with the continued support from community members each year. 

“They’re the ones that are going to be the leading force in growing this event because if they don’t come or participate, then it’s not a success,” said Wilhelm. “The community is definitely why it is so successful.”

    Children rush to grab goodies thrown by passing parade floats during Othello’s Fourth of July celebration.
  

    The Kent Family wagon decorated with American flags and red, white and blue coloring makes its way down the street in the Fourth of July parade.
  

    Othello Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jackie Wilhelm is joined on stage by Sidney Wilhelm, Lorenzo Juarez and Mariana Alvarado as the three kids perform songs and lead the pledge of allegiance for the flag raising ceremony.
  

    Veterans raise the flag at the center of Lions Park at noon on the Fourth of July.
  

    Three friends walk through the grass of Lions Park as they enjoy the Fourth of July festivities Saturday afternoon.
  

    A young competitor makes a throw as he competes in a classic game of bean bag toss at Lions Park Saturday afternoon.
  

    Crowds begin to gather at Lions Park late in the morning Saturday to check out the local vendors at this year’s Fourth of July celebration.