Happy Fourth of July! Even as communities all across the country are reopening or tapping the brakes as they deal with the current pandemic, they are finding ways to celebrate summer’s great holiday. Some may be able to hold traditional events with few or only slight alterations, while others find they must scrap longstanding traditions because they are impossible to run while maintaining safe physical distancing and upholding recommended health protocols. Folks are determined to salute our country’s Independence Day, though, and they are relying on good old American ingenuity to rework those standard celebrations and perhaps start new traditions that may long outlast our current situation.

Take my own community as a prime example of this determination to lift spirits today. Since we moved to Central Point, Oregon, more than 10 years ago, we’ve taken part in its traditional small-town Fourth of July events.   The big day kicks off with a Boy Scout-sponsored pancake breakfast outdoors before a fun run through town. The parade follows the runners’ route next, starting with an Air National Guard jet flyover and featuring entries running the gamut from floats representing local businesses, car clubs and radio stations to equestrian groups, dance studios, 4H clubs  and school marching bands. Families line the streets with kids eager to scramble after candy being tossed from passing vehicles. The end of the parade, signaled by fire trucks and squad cars honking horns and blaring sirens, sends everyone off to the park to check out vendors’ and artisans’ booths and enjoy activities for the kids. We then head home to visit with friends and family and enjoy a traditional barbecue as we wait for the skies to darken for the fireworks show at the nearby fairgrounds. We spread blankets out on the grass at our neighborhood park and enjoy the rockets’ red glare . . . and all the (illegal) fireworks residents launch for hours before and after the official show.

We weren’t surprised that the pancake breakfast, fun run and parade were cancelled this year, but we held out hope for the fireworks display. Turns out that was canceled, too, with authorities concerned that it would draw too many out-of-town visitors. The fireworks stands have been selling all manner of things that boom and sizzle, though, so I’m confident our neighborhood streets should be lit up sufficiently tonight.

Our Parks and Recreation Department has stepped up to encourage some Fourth of July cheer by sponsoring contests for young and old alike. Residents have been encouraged to decorate homes and businesses patriotically and to register their address with the city to be in the running for prizes for both individual and neighborhood categories. Kids can register to have their sidewalk chalk art recognized for patriotic and uplifting images and messages. The biggest event will be an all-city cruise of classic and antique cars (with owners urged to decorate them in red, white and blue — but no political messages, thank goodness!), similar to a popular event that ran through town on Mother’s Day.

We’ll miss the main street parade this year, but we still will get a flyover this morning and will be able to sit on lawn chairs in the front yard and watch the parade of cars pass right by. Both our daughters and their families will join us for fun and a barbecue this afternoon, followed by a few fireworks in the street with the neighbors. Yes, it will be a different kind of Fourth of July, but we still have so much to celebrate and be thankful for, and perhaps this unique moment in our country’s history will make us that much more appreciative of our past and ready to build a stronger, better future.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor