Spectators enjoy a fun filled Fourth as state fully reopens

Cutline: A solitary paddleboarder had Columbia Cove all to himself early Sunday morning, July 4.
Photo: HJ28 Paddleboarder
Cutline: Vendors lined up at Columbia Cove for July 4 weekend business.
Photo: H28 Vendors
Cutline: Pateros enjoyed a quiet weekend as boaters tied up at Lakeshore Park or frolicked on a shallow sand dune (far right) near the mouth of the Methow River.
Photo: H28 Boaters
Cutline: Brock Hires provided part of the entertainment at the American Legion.
Photo: H28 Brock Hires
Cutline: A pair of vendors remove any mystery about what is being sold here.
Photo: H28 Kettle CornBREWSTER – A weekend’s worth of events followed by a fireworks show at Columbia Cove made Brewster party central for spectators anxious to shake off some of the cobwebs accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Spectators wasted little time taking advantage of the looser rules that came with the state’s official fully open announcement June 30.
Chamber president Mike Mauk said adjustments were made as needed to accommodate some events. The two dozen 3-on-3 basketball teams moved their competition from the rec center to the new Brewster Middle School gym to take advantage of more flexible COVID rules. The live music, including Waterdog and Brock Hires moved to the American Legon patio.
Four teams signed up for the weekend softball tournament.
Vendors set up shop in Columbia Cove Park.
Mauk estimated that the downtown parade drew some 40 entries including lots of fire vehicles.
Despite dryer than usual conditions and record triple-digit temperatures all four Quad communities dodged a bullet by avoiding any fire incidents from fireworks. Douglas County Sheriff deputies responded to about a dozen callouts for fireworks complaints according to the Rivercom dispatch log.
In Bridgeport, the community held the second half of its Bridgeport Daze celebration with a Sunday evening parade and vendors in Fireman Park. That followed the first part that took place Saturday, June 5, the usual first weekend of June for the annual celebration.