HILLSBORO, OR — With Independence Day and the 242nd anniversary of the founding of our country just around the corner, Patch collected all the July 4 goings-on happening around the Portland metro region to help you decide where you want to celebrate.

From the Waterfront Blues Festival in downtown Portland to the Estacada Timber Festival and St. Paul Rodeo, the metro area and greater Willamette Valley have a variety of offerings for celebrating the Fourth of July.

Fourth of July Family Festival at Happy Valley Park in Happy Valley — July 4

The Independence Day celebrations begin at 9:30 Wednesday morning in Happy Valley with a dog and stroller-friendly 2.6 mile hike around the Happy Valley community. The hike will be followed by the Better Homes and Garden family parade down Southeast 145th Avenue at noon, and then the festival will begin in earnest and carry through until the fireworks show at dusk.

For more information, visit the community events page at HappyValleyOR.gov.