This July 4, Hood River should be “red, white and blue” as ever.

That’s the theme of Wednesday’s 10 a.m. parade through Hood River Heights.

The parade will be led by the American Legion. This year’s grand marshal is the local Special Olympics organization. Parade entry winners will be announced at Jackson Park, as well as the top finishers in the annual Joe Kollas Memorial Run and Walk.

Hood River is one of three communities in the county planning Independence Day events. Fireworks shows are planned in Hood River and Cascade Locks, after dark, and Odell holds its annual July 4 parade, which assembles at 3:30 p.m. and starts at 4 p.m. (see details below).

Events get started in Hood River County at 8 a.m. with the Joe Kollas Memorial Run and Walk, from Mid Valley Elementary in Odell to Jackson Park in Hood River.

The Hood River Parade starts at 10 a.m.; afterwards, go down to Jackson Park for music and more activities, starting right after the American flag is raised at noon. Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is sponsoring two musical groups: The Gorge Winds and The White Salmon Jazz Band. The concert is free.

n Closing out the Hood River Independence Day anniversary will be the fireworks display over the Columbia River.

The Gorge Goodtimers Snowmobile Club is sponsoring the annual parade through downtown Odell again this year. The parade route is a mile long, starting at Mid Valley Elementary, turning downtown, and finally looping back on AGA Road to the school.

The parade will begin at 4 p.m., but everyone participating is asked to meet in front of Mid Valley Elementary at 3:30 p.m. Afterwards, the Pine Grove-Odell United Methodist Church will serve ice cream cones to all children ages 12 and under who have taken part in the parade.

Call club president Jerry Thomas at 436-2537 for more information.

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Hood River: If you are planning to be in the parade, show up by 9:15 a.m. at 12th and Eliot Drive. Trophies will be given to the best entries in five categories: organizations, children, musical, individual and business.

The trophies are provided by the Heights Business Association. Judging will take place before the parade.

The Hood River Lions are a co-sponsor of the Fourth of July parade.

The parade entries will be announced as they pass by the Cascade Central Credit Union parking lot along with being broadcast over FM radio frequency 88.1.

The parade will start at the Heights shopping center, and follow 12th Street to May, where it will turn west and cross 13th Street to Jackson Park.

Antique car rally through the Mosier Twin Tunnels. Come to the Sen. Mark O. Hatfield trailhead, where vehicles will start their journey at 1:30 p.m.

Good Humor Co. will give free ice cream to the first (??) people with a valid annual or day pass. The event is sponsored by Oregon State Parks.

To reach the Hatfield trailhead, go east on State Street to Highway 35, and follow signs east on the serpentine historic Highway 30.

n Apple Valley Country Store introduces its new weekend barbecues with a special July 4 event from Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Two races are planned for the afternoon regatta (3 p.m. competitors’ meeting): 3:45 p.m. First Start and 5:30 p.m. Second Start

At 7:30 p.m. a dock cookout and weenie roast is planned — public welcome.

The Yacht Club is holding a “raft-up” at 9 p.m. for the fireworks (weather permitting).

For more information contact Doug at 490-7846 or doug@donnunamaker.com

Wednesday is Independence Day, a national holiday. The following is a list of businesses and services that will be closed or have different hours of operation:

Government offices will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery.

The library will be closed, but the Aquatic Center will be open from 1-8:30 p.m. (The pool is closed in the morning due to heavy traffic in the neighborhood due to Jackson Park activities.)

Most banks will be closed, and FISH food bank will also be closed.

The Hood River Garbage Transfer Station and office will be closed, but there will be garbage pickup.

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n Use legal fireworks available at licensed outlets

n Store fireworks out of children’s reach

n Always read and follow label directions

n Keep pets indoors; they are easily frightened by fireworks

n Always have water handy (a garden hose or a bucket of water)

Be safe when lighting fireworks

n An adult should always light fireworks

n Keep matches and lighters away from children

n Use outdoors only

n Light only one firework at a time and move away quickly

n Keep children and pets away from fireworks

n Always remember: Do not throw fireworks or hold in your hand

Be responsible after lighting fireworks

n Soak used fireworks thoroughly in a bucket of water

n Dispose of used fireworks and debris properly