Page 60 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2020

neck of the woods | theatrehe good life | event
t

JUBILEE

JUBILATION

IN PORT ORFORD

A Small Town America
Fourth of July

& by helen picca

ort Orford is a small town (population 1,190)
Pwith big ideas. Once a year, this coastal town
pulls out all the stops for a wizbang celebration of
Independence Day. There are fun-filled events spread
over two days for people of all ages, young and old.
Spectacles, competitions, food, music, games, and
exhibitions all around town. Plenty to see and plenty
to do. Come and be transported back in time, cap-
ture the spirit of small-town America, like a Norman
Rockwell print, when life was simpler and good old-
fashioned fun was part of everyday life.

The event has a long history. In 1951, Port Orford
held a parade as part of its centennial celebration.
Participants dressed in period costume—pioneer
women in long dresses and bonnets, miners with
picks and mining pans—marching down Oregon
Street to the beat of the local band. In 1959, to com-
memorate Oregon’s 100 years of statehood, they
added fireworks. The parade and fireworks became
an annual tradition, riding the wave of time through
eight decades, two centuries, even into a new mil-
lennium. Somewhere along the way, the steadfast
tradition became known as the Jubilee. In 2020, it
will once again ride the “Wave of Time,” this year’s
theme.

Start the day early with an all-you-can-eat Pancake
Breakfast, then head to the beach to create a prize-
winning sand sculpture, or just vote on the one you
like best. Before 11 a.m., find your seat for the
annual Fourth of July Parade along the closed-to-
traffic, crowd-lined Highway 101. Themed floats,
classic cars, horses, tractors, fire engines, 80+
entrants pass by tossing candy to the crowd as they
go. Enjoy music, horns, sirens, lots of glitter, and
waving flags. Watch the wonder in a child’s eye as
the sparkling floats and shiny fire trucks roll by, and
hear their laughter when they catch a lollipop flying
58 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2020