A rousing small-town parade and the Great Puffin Watch are among the fireworks-free Independence Day festivities in Cannon Beach. With Haystack Rock, a National Wildlife Refuge, at the edge of the shoreline, fireworks are not permitted on the beaches to protect the nesting seabirds and natural environment, but you can watch another unique colorful aerial display: Tufted Puffins nesting on Haystack Rock! Knowledgeable interpreters will help you spot puffins with spotting scopes on the beach during scheduled times. These fireworks-free festivities make this a great weekend for families and pets.

Join the Fun at the Patriotic Parade
A late morning Independence Day parade honoring the town's veterans winds north up Spruce and back south down Hemlock with participants throwing candy and dog treats to spectators and their pets. Parade usually starts around 11am. Stop by the American Legion across the street from the midtown parking lot starting at 9am to register and gear up for the parade with face painting and patriotic hats. Then, when the parade is over, come back for hot dogs. Donations accepted.

Get Wild with the Great Puffin Watch
National Wildlife Refuge Haystack Rock is home to thousands of birds and creatures. As an alternative to noisy fireworks that can disturb them, the Haystack Rock Awareness Program provides interpreters and spotting scopes to help visitors see Tufted Puffins and other birds, learn about tidepool life and discover ways to protect all of these amazing creatures. These volunteers will be on the beach near Haystack Rock July 3-5, 8-10:30am. Find more information at friendsofhaystackrock.org/protect-our-puffins/.

Find a New Read at the Cannon Beach Library Book Sale
Summer is high season for relaxing at the beach with some juicy fiction. Pick up a read for your summer stack at the library's annual book sale. Thousands of books will be on sale at bargain prices, July 4-7, 10am-5pm.

Discover more things to do in Cannon Beach, access CannonBeach.org