Let freedom sing

Ska Island

The Taft District will be the center of Lincoln City's Independence Day celebration this Saturday, July 4, when Explore Lincoln City presents Stars, Stripes and Wildlife, a community event designed to celebrate the holiday while highlighting the area's unique coastal ecosystem.

The event reflects a continuing effort to balance holiday traditions with environmental stewardship. After replacing fireworks with a drone show over Siletz Bay last year, Lincoln City will once again feature a professional fireworks display this year, but with a new location over Devils Lake.

Organizers say moving the fireworks away from the Salishan Spit and the Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge helps protect sensitive habitat used by harbor seals and nesting shorebirds, including the federally protected western snowy plover. The relocation also eliminates erosion associated with the heavy equipment previously required for fireworks production on the spit.

The daytime celebration will feature live music by Ska Island and Hecktic Week, local food vendors, a beer garden hosted by Pelican Brewing Company and activities focused on wildlife education. Representatives from Seven Capes Bird Alliance and the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative will be on hand to share information about local ecosystems and conservation efforts.

Visitors are encouraged to take part in Lincoln City's Trash for Treasures program by collecting litter from local beaches and submitting photos for a chance to win a handmade glass float. Community beach cleanups will continue on July 5 following the holiday festivities.

Saturday's Stars, Stripes and Wildlife celebration runs from noon to 5 pm at the Taft Pavilion, located at the west end of SW 51st Street in Lincoln City. The professional fireworks display will follow later that evening over Devils Lake. For more information, go to explorelincolncity.com.