NEWBERG, Ore. — The 250th anniversary of America’s independence from Britain went off with a bang in Newberg and Dundee as community members celebrated in a variety of ways. In some cases, the holiday was met with classic celebration tropes — hot dogs, America-themed music, and fireworks. In others, people received tattoos, took workout classes, and went for a dip in the river.
Read on to see all the different ways community members celebrated America 250 in Newberg.
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The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America — Hoover-Minthorn House Museum
The Oregon chapter of the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America gathered at the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum on June 30 for a lunch picnic on the lawn. The Dames, founded in 1891, are committed to the exploration and interpretation of the country’s complex history, according to the organization’s website.
The lawn space between the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum and the “Little House” on 2nd Street was filled with tables and chairs, and Dames and their guests enjoyed salads, proteins, and sweet treats. The Little House lawn also featured the Oregon Women of Distinction Exhibit, which told the stories of prominent historical women in Oregon.
The gathering also served as a celebration of the Little House’s recent renovations, including a fresh coat of paint.
A woman prepares to hand a girl a cookie at the Oregon Women of Distinction Luncheon in Newberg, Oregon on July 30, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
The Oregon Women of Distinction’s luncheon in honor of America 250 featured an array of salads, cookies, and drinks. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
As part of the America 250 celebration, the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum featured an Oregon Women of Distinction exhibit inside the museum and on their lawn. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Members of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America with friends and family gathered on June 30, 2026 to celebrate America 250 in Newberg, Oregon at the Hoover-Minthron House Museum. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
The Dames served a themed drink to celebrate America 250 at the Hoover-Minthorn Museum House in Newberg, Oregon on June 30, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
The National Society of Colonial Dames of America celebrated America 250 with an Oregon Women of Distinction exhibit at the Hooverm-Minthorn House museum in Newberg, Oregon on June 30, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
A group of Dames gather around picnic tables on June 30, 2026 to celebrate America’s 250 anniversary of Independence Day at the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg)
Free America 250-Themed Workout Class — Rebuilt Fitness
Knowing hot dogs, beverages, and snack foods are on the horizon, a group of athletes gathered at Rebuilt Fitness in Newberg at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. to burn some calories on Friday, July 3.
The free workout class, which is typically offered every Saturday at 10 a.m., featured themed workouts — alternating 17-calorie-burn sprints on the stationary bikes and 76 jump-rope counts, a total of 250 reps across five different exercises, and wrapping up with 20-calorie-burn reps on a row machine and 26 “up-downs.”
Rebuilt Fitness Co-Owner Christine Stacey walks attendees through the different workouts during the America 250-themed workout on July 3, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Attendees engage in a series of “burpees,” where they complete a push up and then stand to jump in the air on July 3, 2026 as part of an America 250-themed workout at Rebuilt Fitness in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Attendees complete rows as part of Rebuilt Fitness’s America 250-themed workout class on July 3, 2026 in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg)
Flash Tattoos — Reverie Collective
Reverie Collective opened on Friday, July 3, offering discounted flash tattoos — pre-designed tattoo options — and telling the community, “come one, come all.”
Tattoo recipients sat in the studio’s welcome area, looking through a collection of designs while waiting for an artist space to open.
Reverie owner Abbie Steele said the event attracted consistent foot traffic, and she was able to tattoo a design she’s had on her flash sheet for a long time but has never tattooed.
Reverie Collective owner Abbie Steele displays her flash tattoo designs on a cork board in her tattoo studio in Newberg, Oregon on July 3, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Reverie Collective owner Abbie Steele tattoos a customer during her discounted flash tattoo event on July 3, 2026 in celebration of the America 250 holiday in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Jonas Van Horn tattoos a more personal tattoo commemorating a pet goat, who died recently, on a customer on July 3, 2026 in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg)
Free Hot Dogs and World Cup Watching Party — Stumptown Taps
The Northeast Newberg taphouse opened on the holiday until 6 p.m., offering anyone who walked through the doors some food to go along with an extensive tap list.
The bar had cornhole and other lawn games set up outside for those looking to enjoy some classic Fourth of July activities before the fireworks show later in the evening.
Stumptown Taps offered free America-themed food to anyone who came through the doors on July 4, 2026 in Newberg, Oregon in celebration of America 250. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Stumptown Taps saw a collection of regulars in on July 4, 2026 as they filed in to watch world cup and enjoy free food with beer in celebration of America 250 i nNewberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Stumptown Taps streamed World Cup games on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
While free hot dogs were on the menu, patrons brought in other treats like fruit kabobs, making for a community potluck on July 4, 2026 in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
The offer of free hot dogs encouraged patrons to bring in other treats during the America 250 celebration at Stumptown Taps in Newberg, Oregon on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg)
From the Willamette to Rocket Pops — South Newberg Neighborhoods
Newberg experienced a mild summer day on July 4, 2026, but that didn’t stop people from going for a dip in the Willamette River. Roger’s Landing’s parking lot was approximately three-quarters full by midday with boat trailers and passenger cars.
Some visitors relaxed at the picnic area near the pedestrian access, while others took inflatable rafts toward the middle of the river to sunbathe.
Newberg’s neighborhoods had their own community celebrations, with some setting up chairs in front yards in preparation to set off fireworks, while other neighborhoods, like The Greens, held their own Fourth of July festivities.
While hot dogs, potato salad, and chips are consistent fixtures on Independence Day tables, another was added to local (and nationwide) tables this year: Miss Hannah’s, a local popcorn maker, had its USA-themed popcorn licensed as an official America 250 product.
The popcorn, with flavors inspired by the classic rocket pop, is colored red, white, and blue.
The weather on July 4, 2026 was a comfortable 82°, which was warm enough for many to brave the chill of the Willamette River in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Dozens flocked to the Willamette River on July 4, 2026 to catch some relaxing sunshine on the water before the holiday fireworks in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
A boy cools off and splashes in the Willamette River on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
A south Newberg home filled its grill with a variety of hot dogs and sausages in on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Resident Christopher Har of The Greens neighborhood in Newberg, Oregon snapped a photo of fireworks behind an American Flag on July 4, 2026. (Christopher Har)
America 250 Celebration — Northwest Christian Church
The City of Newberg partnered with George Fox University and Northwest Christian Church to throw a community festival celebrating the holiday. Hosted at the Northwest Christian Church campus at 2315 Villa Rd., the festival featured a collection of food carts, live music, inflatable bouncy houses, and other children’s activities. The event closed with a fireworks display.
A musician played on stage before the city celebration fireworks show at Northwest Christian Church on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
A group of children wave American flags and a cowboy hat during the America 250 celebration at Northwest Christian Church in Newberg, Oregon on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
A musician plays to a crowd before a fireworks show at the America 250 celebration at Northwest Christian Church in Newberg, Oregon on July 4, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
American flags line Villa Road alongside Northwest Christian Church in Newberg, Oregon during the America 250 celebration in Newberg, Oregon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg)
