Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July guide: Reversed parade route, and more to know

Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July is expected to draw over 15,000 people celebrating Independence Day in the border town, with popular traditions returning and some new changes, such as a reversed parade route.

The July 4 holiday will be an all-day affair, with activities from 8 a.m. to dusk provided by the Blaine chamber and other community organizations.

The festival’s largest change for participants will be the Fourth of July parade starting at noon at Boblett Street and Peace Portal Drive and traveling north along Peace Portal Drive until ending at F Street.

Jacquee Sovereign, executive director of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, said the parade route was changed to open more streets for vendors and the car show. The parade is anticipated to have up to 100 participants.

Blaine Senior Center will start the day with its annual pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. at 763 G Street. A plate with pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes and other breakfast items will be available for purchase.

The car show is anticipated to have hundreds of hot rods, vintage cars, motorcycles and other vehicles displayed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the streets near the Banner Bank building, 435 Martin Street. Check-in is at 8 a.m. on 4th Street just south of Banner Bank. Judging starts at noon and awards are 1 p.m.

Blaine Public Library will hold its book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the library, 610 3rd Street.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 will have kids activities at the Blaine Community Center Pavilion, 635 8th Street, next to the senior center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Activities will include a bounce house, games, face painting, ice cream and food trucks, and more.

A bounce house will be behind Rockwood Realty, 225 G Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The street fair will be larger than last year with 135 vendors, up from 88 vendors in 2023. Vendors will line H and 3rd streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Blaine Arts Council will hold the soft opening of its gallery at 922 Peace Portal Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bry’s Filipino Cuisine food truck will be in the gallery parking lot, with live music and seating.

Border Town Pizza will have food court seating, vendors and a beer garden from about 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in its parking lot, 738 Peace Portal Drive. Acoustic music will be played 4-6 p.m.

After the parade, a family-friendly beer garden and live music will run 1:30-9 p.m. at G Street Plaza. All proceeds from the beer garden will support the Blaine chamber.

Kids activities including giant Jenga, Connect Four, face painting and chalk art will also be on G Street Plaza 1:30-9 p.m.

Fireworks will round out the day at 10:15 p.m. over Semiahmoo Bay. For the best views of fireworks, the chamber recommends watching from Blaine Marine Park or the downtown plazas.

The downtown festival will have the same streets closed as previous years, with the addition of 3rd Street now closing for the parade lineup.

The chamber is seeking volunteers to help throughout the day. Prospective volunteers can email director@blainechamber.com  for more information.

For more information about changes for festival participants or to register for the parade or car show, visit blainechamber.com.