June 29, 2006

By Elon Glucklich
Tidings Correspondent

Livia Genise has plenty of acting experience under her belt. In addition to introducing the acts (and performing herself), she will be reading the Declaration of Independence at Ashland’s annual July 4 celebration at the Lithia Park band shell, replacing Barry Kraft, who had read the declaration for the past fifteen years.

With a stage career spanning over 30 years, speaking in front of an audience is nothing new to the founder and artistic director of Talent’s Camelot Theatre Company.

“With good literature,” Genise explains, “it doesn’t matter whether it’s being acted or read. And who isn’t moved when they hear ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident …’?” Genise also seemed unfazed about replacing Kraft, who had become a fixture at the event.

“It’s not about me.” Genise explained. “It’s about the message …”

The reading of the Declaration of Independence is just one of many events that thousands of Ashlanders and tourists alike will have to look forward to.

This year’s festivities begin July 2 with the annual Fourth of July Baby Contest, sponsored by Soroptimist International of Ashland. If you think your child has what it takes to be declared Ashland’s prettiest baby, then show up at the entrance to Lithia Park at 4 p.m. on July 2 to sign up your child. One boy and one girl will be declared the winners at the end of the competition.

For those of you ambitious enough to work off all of the food you’ll be eating later in the day, come to the Ashland Public Library on the morning of July 4 for the two and six mile runs. The six mile run will begin on the corner of Gresham and East Main Street at 7:45 a.m., with the two mile run starting five minutes later from the same location.

For residents who live further away from the center of town and are looking to avoid the hassle of parking downtown, try taking advantage of free shuttle bus service provided courtesy of RVTD. Beginning at 8 a.m., shuttle busses will arrive every 20 minutes to take people from the Bear Creek Center (next to Butler Ford) and from Albertson’s, to the plaza. Shuttle service will continue until 5 p.m.

Hopping on board the early bus will get you downtown with plenty of time to catch the opening of the first Lithia Park activities booths at 8:45 a.m. The real fun begins, however, at 10:15 a.m., when Ashland’s annual Fourth of July parade kicks off at Triangle Park with a flyby that’s guaranteed to send the audience into a frenzy. The next couple of hours belong to all of the amazing floats where, among other things, the triumphant winners of the Baby Contest will be on full display to remind us that, although all babies are cute, some are just cuter than others.

While the parade gets the most recognition from the community, there are plenty of other things to do downtown on July 4. Prior to the parade, food, game and information booths, as well as a craft fair, will be opening up around Lithia Park, and will stay open throughout the day, offering all sorts of fun that can’t be missed.

If wildflowers are more up your alley, then the Native Plant Society of Oregon Siskiyou Center Irene Hollenbeck Memorial Wildflower show has got everything you could ask for. It will be running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Center across from Lithia Park.

After the parade wraps up on North Main Street, attention turns to the Lithia Park Band shell, where Ashland Mayor John Morrison will give a welcome address followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which kicks off over three hours of music and entertainment with the likes of the Ashland City Band, Rogue Suspects and Schroder & Kines End all performing. Mayor Morrison’s speech is expected to begin at 1:15 p.m., so come early and get ready for some music and fun.

A three hour break leaves plenty of time for people to enjoy the company of friends, loved ones and barbeques before things really start heating up at 8 p.m., with the American Band College Fireworks Concert at the Ashland High School stadium. The band will be playing as anticipation builds for what everyone has been waiting the entire year for: The fireworks.

People from all over the Rogue Valley and down into northern California routinely brave the interstate traffic for the occasion. The display, presented by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 10 p.m. If you’re looking to get as close as possible to the action, the fireworks will be set off from the Southern Oregon University athletic field, so come as early as possible to get good seats. The fireworks are shot up high enough, however, to be seen from most of Ashland, and every view of the show offers its own unique experience. It’s a truly breathtaking display that can’t be missed, no matter where you’re watching from, and is the only way to truly save the best of all that the day has to offer for last.