Sisters and La Pine mark America’s 250th with local Fourth of July celebrations
Tracee Tuesday
LA PINE/SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, communities across Central Oregon are preparing to celebrate with events that highlight both patriotism and local connection.
In Sisters, preparations are underway for the annual Sisters 4th Fest, a free, family-friendly event at Village Green Park on July 4. The half-day celebration, running from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is designed to bring the community together with activities for all ages.
“I am here in Sisters, and the entire town is gearing up for Sisters Fourth Fest,” said KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday.
Launched in 2024, the event draws inspiration from traditional small-town Independence Day gatherings, with a focus on community, accessibility and local pride.
“The fact that it is the 250th anniversary of our country, we definitely want to honor and celebrate that,” said Kellen Klein, executive director of Citizens 4 Community. “But we also want to focus on the things that bring us together, that make us feel connected to one another. And so that’s why this is meant to be a free and welcoming and inclusive event.”
Festivities begin early Saturday morning with a range of family-friendly events:
7:30–10 a.m.: Pancake breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club of Sisters ($12 per plate).
7:45 a.m.: Red, White and Blue 3-miler and Lil’ Firecracker Dash.
9 a.m.: Opening ceremonies and Pledge of Allegiance led by Sisters veterans.
9:30 a.m.: “Kids on Wheels” parade for children 12 and under.
10–11 a.m.: Live music by Dry Canyon Stampede.
10:30–11 a.m.: Guided line dancing.
11–11:15 a.m.: Water balloon toss.
11:15 a.m.–noon: More live music.
Noon–12:30 p.m.: Pie-eating contest featuring Sisters Bakery.
Additional attractions throughout the morning include fire truck tours, a kids zone with face painting, lawn games, local food trucks and activities hosted by community organizations. Organizers encourage attendees to head downtown after the event to support local businesses.
Whether you make the trek to Sisters for the Sisters 4th Fest or head south, celebrations continue across the region.
In La Pine, Frontier Days offers four consecutive days of events, beginning Wednesday and featuring live music, barn dancing and historical presentations.
“Here in La Pine, the Fourth of July is a pretty big deal,” Tuesday said. “In fact, the city dedicates four consecutive days of nothing but festivities. It’s called the La Pine Frontier Days, and it kicks off on Wednesday.”
La Pine Frontier Days highlights
Events run Wednesday through Saturday, with entertainment and historical programming each day:
Wednesday, July 1: Newberry Family Band (3–4:30 p.m.), History Comes Alive (4:30 p.m.), open mic night (5–7 p.m.).
Thursday, July 2: Bryan Keith (noon–2 p.m.), barn dancing (2–3 p.m.), The Wild Cards (4–6 p.m.), History Comes Alive (6:15 p.m.), DMM Band (7–8:30 p.m.).
Friday, July 3: The Wild Cards (2–3:30 p.m.), Copper Ridge Band (4–6:30 p.m.), History Comes Alive (6:30 p.m.), Desert Wheelhouse (7–9:30 p.m.).
Saturday, July 4: TRUU Band (2:30 p.m.), Highway 97 Band (4:30–6:30 p.m.), History Comes Alive (6:45 p.m.), Brooke and the Honeybees (7:30–10 p.m.).
Saturday morning: 16th annual Woodcutters Chop and Eggs Breakfast at 7 a.m. before the parade.
This year, organizers are placing a special emphasis on history and education through interactive storytelling.
“A lot of my friends, we actually invented little historical vignettes to present throughout the four days, because we want people to understand what it took to get us here,” said Ann Gawith with La Pine Frontier Days. “Most people don’t realize it took 11 years before we ever signed the Declaration of Independence. It was a long process, and many, many people gave their lives, gave the ultimate sacrifice — and still do. And honoring our veterans, we have an honor this year, honoring everything that has brought us to this point.”
From live music and family activities in Sisters to multi-day festivities in La Pine, both communities are using this milestone anniversary to reflect on the nation’s history while bringing people together close to home.
Reported on: June 30, 2026; 11:11 A.M.
America is marking a historic milestone this Independence Day, as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary—and Central Oregon is celebrating in full force.
From parades to community festivals, cities across the region are preparing for a packed Fourth of July. In La Pine, Frontier Days returns with its signature blend of small-town tradition, including live music, a parade, and family-friendly events. More details on the celebration can be found at lapinefrontierdays.org.
Meanwhile, in Sisters, the annual Sisters 4th Fest promises a full day of festivities, drawing crowds for its popular parade and community gatherings in the heart of downtown.
KTVZ’s Tracee Tuesday takes a closer look at how these local celebrations reflect the spirit of America’s 250th birthday—and what it means for communities here at home.
Watch the full report tonight at 6 p.m. on KTVZ’s NBC affiliate.