As many as 20,000 people gather in mild temperatures to view the July 4 parade and enjoy music in Lithia Park
By Peter Finkle for Ashland.news
This Fourth of July, Ashland’s large parade gathering of 20,000 or so people did not burn in 100-degree heat. We did not even roast in 90-degree heat. We basked in high-70s sunshine, a pleasant surprise. That may be why during more than 30 years of attending July 4 celebrations in Ashland, I have never seen so many people stay to watch the afternoon music and speakers in Lithia Park after the parade — and both were exceptional this year.
Grand marshal: Tim Bond of OSF
The grand marshal of the parade this year was Oregon Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Tim Bond, who exemplifies the 2025 parade’s theme, “Celebrating the Magic of Community.” The Ashland Chamber’s Dana Preston said, “We couldn’t think of a better organization and individual to lead the parade. What better way to celebrate the magic of Ashland than OSF, celebrating its 90th anniversary with Tim Bond at the creative helm.”
I spoke with Tim Bond for a few minutes before the parade, as people came up to congratulate him. He cares deeply about the bond between OSF and the town of Ashland.
“It’s a wonderful relationship we have had for 90 years,” he said. “OSF was started with many volunteers from the community, and it is a symbiotic relationship that we have, the city and OSF. To be part of this parade, and that they are honoring OSF’s 90th year, is very, very meaningful. It’s an honor for me to serve as grand marshal.”
A woman walked up then to tell Bond she remembers the first time he came to OSF, and that she is thrilled to see him here again. After she left, he turned to me and said, “This has been happening since I came back. So many people from the community have come up and said, ‘Thank you for being back.’ And also, ‘Thank you, OSF, for being back.’ Because our success is the community’s success, and this community’s success is our success.”
Winning parade entries
The parade had about 70 entries this year, including many dignitaries riding in classic cars. Volunteer judges gave the first prize for parade entries to the Ashland Climate Collaborative, second prize to Superpower Kids with Grandma Boom, and third prize to Wheels of the World, sponsored by Terra Firma Home. Honorable mentions went to Ashland Rotary Club/Amigo Club and to Neuman Hotel Group, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ashland Springs Hotel this year.
Regular crowd favorites in the parade included young gymnasts and dancers filled with enthusiasm, baby boomer dancers strutting, a large number of stilt walkers from Ashland Aerial Arts and bagpipers of the Jefferson Pipe Band. The parade wrapped up with three flatbed trucks full of American Band College musicians — with the truck air horns featured as a very loud, very fun instrument, as always.
I was impressed by the huge and organized parade watching party in front of the house at 590 Siskiyou Blvd. I found out that home owners Larry and Linda Hilligoss invited more than 100 of their friends to join them this Fourth of July – a tradition that goes back 40 years. It was a lively party atmosphere, with potluck food, animated conversation, plus tents and chairs for “luxury” parade watching.
Lithia Park Bandshell: Meaningful music and words
As mentioned above, there were larger than normal crowds for after-parade events in Lithia Park. The food booths looked busy all afternoon this year. Music at the bandshell was provided by the Ashland City Band, Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, and Nina and the Notes.
Ashland City Band’s new director, Alex Gonzalez, described the band’s Fourth of July concert theme in lofty terms. He believes the writers of our Constitution had very different ideas for the type of government our new country should take. Yet they built a need for debate and compromise into our Constitution, which was — and is — meant to keep our people moving forward together. He chose marches, patriotic music, American jazz and Civil War music that reflected different aspects of this theme.
Mayor Graham of Ashland and Mayor Smith of Guanajuato
Mayor Tonya Graham of Ashland spoke of July 4 as much more than a day for food, fun and celebration, especially now. She said, “The work of defending democracy is big-tent work for all patriots, and all Americans of good will all along the political spectrum are both welcome and needed at this moment in time.”
During the month of June, Graham participated in ceremonies at both of Ashland’s sister cities: Sviatohirsk, Ukraine and Guanajuato, Mexico. During the past week, eight representatives from Guanajuato have been in Ashland. They participated July 3 in an unveiling of the first “Hearts of Guanajuato” art installation, on the SOU campus.
Mayor Graham said: “This year marks the 55th year of Ashland and Guanajuato being sisters, the longest-running sister city relationship in the country.” She then invited Mayor Samantha Smith of Guanajuato to speak.
“Hola, amigos de Ashland,” Smith began. Along with celebrating 55 years of friendships between Ashland and Guanajuato residents and city leaders, she also raised serious issues of peace, culture and the importance of friendship across borders.
When I spoke with her, she said this was her seventh time in Ashland, though her first time as Guanajuato’s mayor. This year she cried during the parade, so warm was the response from Ashlanders lining both sides of the parade route.
She told me that Guanajuato has many sister city relationships, but none are as close as that with Ashland. As one example of long-standing cooperation, she enthusiastically pointed out that 245 homes have been built in Guanajuato by the joint efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Ashland and Guanajuato.
After the mayor, Guanajuato’s queen representative spoke eloquently.
“The bond between our cities is a testament to what is possible when we choose connection over division, and when we choose friendship over fear, and peace over conflict,” she said. “In a world that often feels uncertain, may we continue to be living proof that peace is not just a dream; it is actually something we get to feel together, one relationship at a time. From Guanajuato to Ashland, with love, with gratitude, and with hope for a better and brighter future, I say thank you.”
Historic words of inspiration
One of the most meaningful parts of the Fourth of July in Ashland for me has been to hear the stirring words of our 1776 Declaration of Independence, as well as the powerful message of Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address. This year Brian Tingle read the Declaration of Independence as well as leading the singing of our National Anthem. Bob Jackson Miner once again dressed as Abe Lincoln and spoke his inspiring words.
We had a new addition to the spoken word this year, as Carey Mastain recited “Paul Revere’s Ride,” a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The famous poem about a key moment in April 1775 begins with the words: “Listen, my children, and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.” Carey’s late father and Ashland resident Dick Mastain read this and other poems to the children when they were young, and she dedicated her Fourth of July recitation to him on the 100th year after his birth.
More wonderful afternoon music
The Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps of Santa Clara, California, followed Ashland City Band. With their flawless musicianship and precision movement, they are a joy to both watch and hear. “Stunning” would be one good description of seeing and hearing them. Vanguard has been a seven-time Drum Corps international world champion, the best of the best. We were fortunate to have them in Ashland for a day between their competition shows.
As they were warming up before playing, I asked one of the percussion players how much they rehearsed in order to be so perfectly synchronized. He replied that they are on tour now for a couple of months, so they don’t have much rehearsal time. However, during their monthlong training camp in Idaho before the tour, they rehearsed 14 hours a day!
The final act at the bandshell was an R&B/Soul music group, Nina and the Notes. Singer Nina Davis brought powerful vocals to covers of hits by Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder and other greats.
Behind the scenes, many volunteers
A huge, all-day community event like Ashland’s Fourth of July is a major undertaking. The Ashland Chamber of Commerce has been the primary sponsor and organizer of our July 4 for decades — with a staff of four people! So, if you have ever helped organize an event, you know that many volunteers were involved. Starting at 5:30 a.m., volunteers were at work on Winburn Way, checking in dozens of food trucks and community groups with booths. Not long after that, volunteers were setting up the 7:30 a.m. start for the 10K and 2-mile runs. Another group was organizing 70 or so parade entries (herding cats, anyone?), as well as collaborating with police, fire and others who help make the parade and the day’s events possible. Finally, volunteers worked behind the scenes for a smooth afternoon at the Lithia Park Bandshell.
Historical perspective — similar and different
Ashland’s tradition of Fourth of July parades began in the late 1800s. Parades of the early 1900s weren’t so different than ours today. Today’s July 4 parades are led by Ashland police officers on motorcycles, then a color guard holding United States and Oregon flags, followed by the Ashland City Band, in uniforms of navy blue and white.
The opening of the 1916 parade was very similar, as described in the Ashland Tidings newspaper. “In the lead was the chief of police and the Ashland patrolmen, mounted on horseback. Then Ed Thornton [Secretary of the Elks Club] on a magnificent charger. Next came the Ashland band in their natty uniforms of blue and white.”
One difference: The parade floats of the early 1900s were more ambitious than today’s. Take a look at the Briggs shoe store float from our 1912 parade. The Ladies Auxiliary Club float from our 1916 parade won first prize that year. Times change, but I bet the feeling of community experienced on this holiday is very similar.
Peter Finkle leads Ashland walking tours. Visit WalkAshland.com to learn about his history, art and Haunted Ashland tours, or to request a private tour for your group or family.
