Fort Dalles Fourth Celebrates With a Bang
By Rodger Nichols
It has become a cherished summer tradition: As day fades on July 4, people gather at favorite viewpoints around The Dalles to watch the sky come alive. The Fort Dalles Fourth fireworks show lights up the river and the hearts of those who call this place home.
Thanks to the city’s unique geography, the bend in the Columbia River creates a natural amphitheater, making the show visible from nearly every corner of town.
The fireworks are launched from a barge in the middle of the river, provided by Bernert Barge Lines and lit by Western Display Fireworks.
“These 2 entities are the foundational pillars of our event,” says Kasie Cook, Fort Dalles Fourth media and website manager." Bernert donates their barge and their time every year, which is a huge commitment. We truly appreciate their support.”
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the event. What began as a small, grassroots celebration—supported by collection jars in local businesses—has grown into a full-day community tradition.
“Most people don’t know this, but that first year, Western Display had an oversupply and gave us an amazing deal,” Kasie says. “We ended up with almost twice the fireworks for less than expected—and it made for a fabulous show. That early success helped us keep growing.”
Today, Fort Dalles Fourth is a nonprofit that depends heavily on community support and fundraising. 1 of its most meaningful efforts is the Patriotic Banner Program, where families can sponsor a banner honoring a veteran. Each banner includes a photo, rank, and branch of service, and is displayed along the downtown corridor from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The banners are created locally by Optimist Printers. New banners are $199, and yearly renewals are $99.
A companion project, The Hall of Heroes—a digital version of the banner display with expanded bios and personal stories—is in the works.
Equally important is support from the local business community.
“Several of our sponsors have been with us from the beginning,” Kasie says. “They provide funding, supplies, venue space, and help run sub-events. We couldn’t do this without them.”
The city of The Dalles also plays a critical role, using a portion of the transient room tax revenue to help fund the fireworks. By reinvesting these tourism-related dollars into events like Fort Dalles Fourth, the city supports both local pride and economic activity.