4th Of July Fun

F-16's signaled the start of the Central Point parade. The sun wasn't bright at 9:30 am, but the enthusiasm was. Floats passed by excited spectators. People in fancy cars and on motorcycles threw candy to kids. After the parade, folks migrated to the park to listen to music and eat food and purchase souvenirs from this year's festivities.

At 11 o'clock the parade in Eagle Point got underway, led by fire trucks, police cars and the Young Marines. Vendors lined the parade route for bystanders. The sun did peek out in Eagle Point as 90 entries made their way down the streets of town. Flashy cars, decorated floats and horses strutted their stuff. The festivities lasted all day, topped off by fireworks at dusk.

It was off to the races after the parade in Eagle Point, a unique highlight drawing participants from as far away as Portland.

The lawn mower races got off to a late start, but a crowd of hundreds stood in the heat and waited for the much anticipated event. There were only a few entries this year, but the souped up lawn mowers didn't disappoint. Racers say they get a mixed response when they tell others what lawn mower racing is all about.

The lawn mowers ran several laps around the make-shift track near the Eagle Point high school. While it may seem a little odd, racers say this isn't the only race they run in. Red Bluff, California has a race, and in the fall, the Harvest Festival also holds a lawn mower race.