History

In 1991, Desert Storm was raging and a feeling of patriotism filled communities throughout our nation. Acting on that spirit, Pat Berndt, then mayor of the City of Yakima, and Jim Barnhill, the publisher, at that time, of the Yakima Herald-Republic, paid a visit to a community leader they knew would act on a special request they had. “We need a real 4th of July celebration,” they told Mel Wagner. “The people of Yakima need a way to acknowledge their support for those fighting in Desert Storm, and they need a way to connect with others to strengthen our spirit of community. Pat and Jim had come to the right man.

Mel called on his friend Bob Hall, and between them they asked a dozen other community leaders to step up, and the first 4th of July committee was formed. Over the past 14 years, the vision for the event hasn’t changed much: it needs to be free to the public and it must be a time for families and friends to come together. When asked what made that very first celebration such a huge success, Mel says the credit goes entirely to the hundreds of volunteers, many who spent the entire day, making sure things went smoothly. Mel especially credits attorney Jamie Carmody with the initial success of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament that kicked off the festivities many years.

This year, with the return of many of our valley veterans, the merging with the Yakima Herald-Republic’s annual One World, One Valley event, and the commitment of the Greater Yakima Chamber’s Leadership Yakima Class, Yakima Valley residents are sure to enjoy the biggest and best 4th of July celebration ever.

Chairpersons

Each year's committee has had the benefit of the experience and knowledge of the past year's hard work volunteers. We'd like to acknowledge the past chairpersons for the celebration and through them the many hundreds of volunteers that they gathered together to help organize the celebration over the last 14 years.

Recent Year's Celebrations

In 2005, in response to an appeal to the community for new volunteers, the 34 members of the Leadership Yakima Class of 2004-2005 stepped up with crucial support from the Yakima Herald Republic and other sponsors to organize the 4th of July Celebration for 2005.

The 2007 Celebration has seen the return of many volunteers from the 2006 celebration and further strengthening from the involvement of additional community leaders!