4th of July in Portland

Portland may have you fooled as a city full of hipsters, but Oregonians love the 4th of July — and fireworks — just as much as any other red-blooded American state. So if you happen to be in Portland in July for Independence Day, here’s where to get your fireworks fix.

Fireworks in Portland

Waterfront Blues Festival
Oregon’s biggest fireworks show is on the first day of the Waterfront Blues Festival this year, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River. The show starts at 10pm.
Price: $10 suggested donation, plus 2 cans of nonperishable food
Tip: You can see the fireworks from just about anywhere in close-in Portland: downtown, east side of the river, west side, and south waterfront.

Oaks Park
South on the Willamette in Sellwood, is Oaks Park’s annual fireworks show. Viewable from Sellwood, SE Portland and Willamette Park on the west side of the river.
Price: $5 (15 and under: $2)
Tip: Also viewable from the west side of the river in Willamette Park and a partial view of both Waterfront & Oaks Park can be found in the South Waterfront neighborhood.

Fort Vancouver
Technically not in Portland, Fort Vancouver, which is Portland’s closest National Park, across the Columbia River, is historically (nudge nudge) the biggest fireworks show in the Portland area. The holiday festivities begin in the morning, with the fireworks show starting at 10:05pm over Pearson Field.
Price: $5 advance, $7 at the gate (12 and under: free)
Tip: Fireworks can be seen from the Oregon side of the Columbia River too, so try Marine Drive.

Getting around:
If you want to avoid driving to check out the fireworks, TriMet usually adds extra MAX service on the 4th.

Photo by: Skimchee. Updated for 2012.