Fireworks will top festival on July 4

That’s the clue for a good time here July 3 and 4, when the Festival of America occurs below the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam.

The celebration is put on by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce.

Please see the separate Festival of America section inside this week’s Star.

The annual patriotic celebration begins Tuesday in the park below the Visitor Center, and ends after the giant fireworks event Wednesday night.

In between will be plenty of basking in the sun, picnic eats, music, the traditional family get-togethers, and the ever-popular Laser Light Show.

Two musical events are scheduled on July 4.

The Jesse Quandt Band, back again this year, plays its brand of country music from 5-7 p.m. And a 13-member 133rd Army National Guard “rock band” with brass and woodwinds will play until time for the Laser Light Show. Its repertoire ranges from pop to rock.

A host of exhibitors will be on hand both days, displaying crafts and plenty of gift selections as well as a wide variety of food-related opportunities.

July 4 stacks up like this: Picnic all day, listen to the Jesse Quandt Band from 5-7; tap your feet to the musical varieties of the Army National Guard Band for a couple of hours, enjoy the roughly 30-minute Laser Light Show and the “Rocketman Pyro” 20-25 minute giant fireworks display off the top of Grand Coulee Dam, sponsored again by the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union.

Better get there early, as close-by parking is at a premium. But there’s plenty of room in the park for everyone.

Happy Holiday!