C4C and Rotary set plans for new 4th of July event

There’s a new event on the Sisters Country calendar this summer. Local nonprofits Rotary Club of Sisters and Citizens4Community (C4C) are teaming up to launch the inaugural Sisters 4th Fest.

The free, family-friendly gathering will take place on Thursday, July 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Village Green Park. Planned activities include a pancake breakfast, 5K fun run, classic car show, kids “mini-parade,” live music, and much more. A full run-of-show, activities map, and more is available at http://www.sisters4thfest.com.

“In the wake of the cancellation of Rumble on the Runway at Sisters Eagle Airport, we wanted to ensure that our community still had an opportunity to come together and celebrate Independence Day,” said Kellen Klein, C4C executive director. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Rotary of Sisters to develop such a positive, locally-oriented, all-ages event.”

“Sisters 4th Fest is truly a testament to what’s possible when our community comes together,” added Rotary of Sisters President Bill Kelly. “So many local businesses, organizations, and individuals are collaborating to make this festival a reality.” Current sponsors include Explore Sisters, The Nugget, St. Charles Health System, Next Phase Realty, Eurosports, Blazin Saddles, MidOregon Credit Union, Big Chief Vintage, and Oliver Lemon’s.

Rotary will kick the day off with a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Village Green; they’re prepared to flip over 2,000 flapjacks. At 7:45 a.m., a “Red, White & Blue 5K Fun Run” organized by Run Sisters Run will send runners and walkers out toward Peterson Ridge Trail. As the runners return, local veterans groups will lead a formal presentation of colors at the Village Green gazebo at 9 a.m.

Just up the street in the alley next to Rescued Living (between Cascade and Hood avenues), Rotary will host a classic car show featuring 35 pre-1970s vehicles. Trophies will be awarded for “Best in Show” and runners-up. Registration is required for both the fun run and car show; visit http://www.sisters4thfest.com to sign up.

Then, at 9:30 a.m., C4C will present a “kids-mini parade.” Children 12 and under are invited to don their most patriotic duds, decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, or strollers, and strut their stuff around the perimeter of the park in front of cheering friends and family. Chaperones are welcomed, and registration is not required.

The remainder of the morning will be filled with live music from a stage on the west side of Village Green. Expect country-rock tunes and maybe even some line dancing. Meanwhile, Rotary will shift from pancakes to hot dogs, C4C will roll out kids crafts and lawn games, and Sisters Camp-Sherman Fire District will offer fire truck tours and a chance to meet their new chief, Tony Prior.

With a 1 p.m. end time, Rotary and C4C are encouraging 4th Fest attendees to keep the party going by walking a few short blocks downtown to patronize local businesses. Recognizing the limited parking at Village Green, the groups also recommend that participants walk, bike, or carpool to the event.

C4C Treasurer Jim Barnett said, “Sisters 4th Fest is designed by and for residents of Sisters Country. It takes a village, and we’d welcome additional volunteers and local sponsors!”

For more information or to get involved, email rotaryofsisters@gmail.com, or visit http://www.sisters4thfest.com.