Fireworks and music headline Fourth of July activities at Metro's Blue Lake Regional Park. Pack a picnic, gather friends and family and head to the park for east county's largest fireworks display. But get there early – Metro expects a larger crowd this year.
With the cancelation or shortening of other organizations' celebrations, attendance at Blue Lake and other local fireworks displays is expected to increase. Blue Lake Park can accommodate 5,000 cars and approximately 20,000 people.
Visitors will have a variety of activities to choose from throughout the day. Adults can cool off at the 400-foot swim beach or rent a boat to explore the lake. Kids can enjoy the park's water spray ground with features that spray, gush, dump and pour water from colorful and whimsical devices. Other options include playgrounds, the natural discovery garden, the fishing pier, park paths, the wetlands observation deck and a walking trail loop. To protect wildlife, pets are not permitted at Blue Lake Regional Park or any of Metro's parks and natural areas.
For an additional $6 fee, from 4 to 9 p.m., children of all ages can enter the PartyWorks Fun Zone - an interactive entertainment center - with a 30' inflatable water slide, bouncers, a 25' giant slide and obstacle courses.
Family activities and a food court will start the evening celebration beginning at 5 p.m. New this year is a beer and wine garden offered by the Riverview Restaurant. A variety of musical groups will provide entertainment from 6 to 10 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display at approximately 10 p.m.
Parking will be available in Blue Lake's main parking lot and an overflow parking lot located on the east side of the park. There will be no shuttle service provided from the overflow parking lot to Blue Lake Park and visitors will need to take caution as they walk across the street. When the parking lots are full, the park will be considered at full capacity and the gates will be closed to additional visitors.
Fourth of July music and fireworks at Blue Lake are presented by the Riverview Restaurant and Comcast and sponsored by Metro, City of Fairview, Pinnacle NW, Weston, The Gresham Outlook, The Sandy Post, Fox 12, Elmer's Flag & Banner and CalPortland. Event partners include Fairview Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Troutdale Police Department, Gresham Lions Group and the Gresham Fire Department.
Blue Lake Regional Park opens at 8 a.m. All picnic areas that accept reservations are full at this time, so guests are encouraged to arrive early for a first-come, first-served picnic area. Activities are located at the west end of the park. Special admission rates for the July 4th celebration are $10 per car and $14 per bus, RV and 15-passenger van. No pets, alcohol or personal fireworks are allowed. For more information, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/bluelake or call 503-665-4995.
Blue Lake Regional Park is located between Marine Drive and Sandy Boulevard, off Northeast 223rd avenue. Take I-84 to 207th Avenue (Fairview exit 14) and go north to Sandy Boulevard. Turn right (east) onto Sandy and follow the signs to 223rd and Blue Lake Regional Park.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.4 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.
