July 4 full of activities at Black Butte Ranch

Starting at 8 a.m. with a "Fun Run/Walk" and ending after the "Sundae (sic.) Night Movie," there will be a full day of July 4 activities at Black Butte Ranch including a youngsters' decorated-bicycle parade.

Independence Day, marking freedom from British colonial rule, will be celebrated at BBR with an entire day of fun for the entire family, including a barbecue, traditional July 4 games, a climbing wall and entertainment by Biff Harley.

A 5K (3.5 mile) run at Black Butte Ranch is open to all, according to Katie Kenney, registrar and an activities director in the recreation center.

"Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.," she said, "with the actual race beginning at 8 a.m. running through the ranch. We will not leave our property."

The advance registration fee is $20, with a memorial shirt, and $10 without one.

Bicycle decoration kits are now available at the Recreation Center, located across the grassy knoll, west of the Lodge tennis courts and swimming pool, for a cost of $2. Bike decoration will also take place at the Sports Field beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

The non-motorized, Decorated Bike and Walking Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. from the Sports Field and heads along Hawksbeard to the Lodge.

"We will have a grand old Fourth of July barbecue for the entire family from noon to 3 p.m. here at the Rec Center. Biff Harley will entertain children and adults alike. He has become an annual tradition here," Kenney said. "I think this is his third or fourth year."

Harley is a "disc jockey of sorts" who leads people of all ages through a limbo game, does lip sync singing with his audience and leads community sing-alongs.

The cost for the barbecue is $10 for adults, $8 for children 10 years old and younger. There is no charge to simply stop by and enjoy Harley, she said.

From 1 to 3 p.m. the climbing wall will be "open" for those wishing to try their skill. Cost is $5 per climb and a release form or waiver must be signed by a parent if the climber is a minor.

Also from 1 to 3 p.m. old-fashioned Fourth of July games will be played in the grassy field next to the Rec Center.

That evening there will be a family "Sundae (sic.) Night Movie" at the Recreation Center. Cost per sundae is $3. The movie that night is "Sandlot," a family film about baseball. It will be shown without charge. The only cost is for the ice cream sundae, Kenney said.

For more information, call 595-1282.