FORKS — The annual Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration begins Wednesday with activities, food, a demolition derby a fun run and more — but caution is urged with fireworks, and open fires have been banned within the Forks city limit.
Rod Fleck, city planner and attorney, said city officials, fireworks show organizers, the pyrotechnics company hired to put on the show and insurance representatives will meet Wednesday to decide if conditions are safe enough for Saturday night’s fireworks extravaganza, scheduled for dusk at Tillicum Park.
The fireworks show is just one small part of the five-day Independence Day celebration in Forks, Fleck said.
“There is still lots to do,” he said.
Fleck said his favorites, and the biggest events Saturday, are the noon Grand Parade, the salmon bake at 1 p.m at Tillicum Park and the Demolition Derby at 3 p.m. at the Tillicum Park Arena.
With a drought underway and high temperatures forecast, city officials are concerned about fire safety over the holiday weekend.
The Paradise Fire, burning in the Olympic National Park 30 miles southeast of Forks, and a Saturday driftwood fire on Rialto Beach near LaPush have residents thinking about fire safety, Fleck said.
The West End’s all-volunteer fire departments have been kept busy in recent weeks keeping small brush fires from turning into something serious, he said.
Fleck said Forks officials have spoken to state officials to discuss dry conditions on the West End and a possible emergency fireworks ban, but learned that only the state can impose such a ban.
The West End Youth League has agreed to shorten their fireworks sales, but fireworks are still available in Forks, he said.
The league will sell state-approved fireworks from their stand beginning Wednesday and continue through Saturday evening.
Purchasers of the fireworks will also receive information on fireworks-related fire prevention.
Fire Chief Bill Paul issued a fire ban order last Thursday, prohibiting the use of fire within the Forks city limits, including all recreational fires, floating lanterns and the use of fire torches.
Clallam County, the state Department of Natural Resources, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest also have instituted burn bans except for small campfires in fire rings or similar controlled devices.
Jefferson County expanded its burn ban Monday to include recreational fires and fires with wood or charcoal briquettes in cooking grills.
The weekend begins Wednesday with a holiday-appropriate showing of the movie “Independence Day” at the Rainforest Arts Center, at 35 N. Forks Ave.
Entry is free, and concessions are available by donation.
Friday’s activities includes the noon opening of the Far West Art League show at Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave; a 5 p.m. Fun Run across the street from Forks Coffee Shop; and a 6 p.m. bean bag toss at Tillicum Park.
On Saturday, the Fourth of July, the day begins at 8 a.m. with check-in for the Grand Parade and the Elks Annual Forks Fourth of July Breakfast at 941 Merchant Road.
The Fourth of July weekend will conclude Sunday with a 8:30 a.m. horseshoe tournament, the noon Kiddies Play Day, and at 5 p.m. with up to 100 frogs competing at the Forks Frog Jump Contest at 5 p.m. — all at Tillicum Park.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
