Oakville’s Independence Day celebration returns July 3

By Dan Hammock • June 29, 2021 6:30 pm
The Oakville Independence Day celebration, parade and all, returns Saturday after a COVID-related year off last year. (Courtesy Oakville Chamber of Commerce)
The Oakville Independence Day celebration, parade and all, returns Saturday after a COVID-related year off last year. (Courtesy Oakville Chamber of Commerce)

After a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, the city of Oakville’s Independence Day celebration is set to return on Saturday, July 3.

Activities include the parade, the “Scoot the Route” car show, a wide array of vendors, a beer garden, and a family fun zone.

“I think everyone in Oakville and the surrounding communities are really excited,” said Roberta Wilkinson, President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing the event. “Last year, because of COVID, we didn’t get to have it, and people are really looking forward to getting together again to celebrate the signature event of our community.”

The parade starts at 11 a.m. and runs through Oakville’s main thoroughfare and briefly closes a section of Highway 12. Deanna Lindholm, a longtime Oakville resident and community leader, will serve as Grand Marshal.

A Family Fun Zone, with activities for kids — including pony rides — will be available. The big truck from Fire District 1 will be on hand to let youngsters take a turn at targeting some “fire” targets with a fire hose as well.

A selection of vendors will be on hand offering food and goods for attendees.

“We’re really thrilled with all of the vendors we have this year,” said Wilkinson. “Even though we are scaling things back a bit because we didn’t even know if this event was going to be able to happen, everyone really stepped up.”

One of the most popular parts of the event is the “Scoot the Route” car show, which has competition in several categories.

“We’re amazed by the amount of interest in ‘Scoot the Route,’” said Wilkinson. “There are entries spanning almost a century, including a 1927 Ford T-Bucket. The judges are really going to have their work cut out for them!”

Nice weather, not sweltering like the weekend before, promises a comfortable transition into a more normal way of life and the return of festivals region-wide.

“We hope folks will come on out and have a good time,” said Wilkinson. “The weather is supposed to be nice, and it will be a welcome step in the return to normalcy. It’s been invigorating to work with such a great team to bring everyone some much-needed summer fun!”

For more information on the Oakville Chamber of Commerce Independence Day Event, go to the Oakville Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page, or call 360-930-9256.