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Wednesday, June 21, 2023
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Parade Toss Kelli Nicholson / Country Media, Inc.
The 2023 Kiwanis Community Parade Grand Marshall Merle Pence, who takes on the role of Santa Claus each Christmas, tosses a small stuffed toy as he is escorted along Columbia Boulevard during the June 17 parade. Pence said he tossed approximately 350 of the stuffed toys to the spectators during the event. See more photos on Page 10.
St. Helens set for silver screen, again WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
The historic Riverfront District in St. Helens will feature on the silver screen again, adding to the rich history of St. Helens as a cinematic setting. A Massachusetts based production, Test Screening the Movie, LLC took over part of downtown on June 9 and 10. While not much is known about the details of this movie at this time, we do know how and why St. Helens was chosen as the filming location. Choosing St. Helens When a production company wants to film in Oregon, one of its first calls is to the Oregon Film and Video Office. When production companies reach out to Oregon Film, they generally know what type of town or location they are looking for. “They either send us a script and, or a breakdown of the locations needed and oftentimes will attach reference photos and descriptions. Based on what they are looking for, we will create a location package for them from the thousands of locations that we have in our location database, which is constantly evolving,” Strategic Initiatives & Community
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the permit, and staff worked with the company to ensure traffic control requirements were met and to help identify parking options, according to St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King. On June 8, the production company began preparing South First Street for its set. By the time the movie started shooting on June 9, the Riverfront District was transformed into a scene straight out of the ‘80s, with retro cars up and down the block and retro-styled storefront designs surrounding the Columbia Theater. While it was a drizzly day, the cast, crew, and production workers went through their shoots despite the weather, observed by curious downtown goers and business owners.
Production crew keeping the talent and filming technology dry with umbrellas and plastic wrap during the movie shoot.
Project Strategist for Oregon Film and Video Office Jane Ridley said. “There is often added research and information to send on potential locations that may not be listed in our database.” Oregon Film is a semi-state agency that exists to attract production to the state. Their mission is to promote the development of the film, television, commercial, and interactive industry in Oregon and to enhance the industry’s
revenues, profile, and reputation within Oregon and among the industry internationally, according to Ridley. When Test Screening the Movie, LLC reached out to the Oregon Film and Video Office; they had specific ideas surrounding locations and towns they wanted to film at. St. Helens was one of the suggested filming locations for several reasons. “They were going for a small-
town feel and had specific locations that pertained to the movie that might have been a good fit,” Ridley said. “St. Helens has been “film friendly” in the past and is best known for Halloweentown, and Twilight, among others.” Upon deciding to use St. Helens as its filming location, Test Screening the Movie, LLC applied for a Special Use Permit with the city to film in the Riverfront District. City departments reviewed
Benefits of the Big Screen The timeline by which this film will be completed is unclear, but the benefits of having a movie set in a small town can be substantial. These are the three primary ways, according to Ridley: 1. Filming provides economic benefits and development to a town location by utilizing services, stores, paying for parking
See MOVIE Page A10
Independence Day 2023
St. Helens ready to celebrate Independence Day 2023 STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
The City of St. Helens will offer a variety of events to celebrate Independence Day 2023. Join the St. Helens community for a day of activities, music, and fire-
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Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Crossword ............... A8 Kiwanis Parade ..... A10 Vol. 141, No. 26
works on the St. Helens Riverfront to celebrate Independence Day 2023. This year’s celebration honors “A Century of Heroes” and begins at 11 a.m. on July 4 in the Courthouse Plaza Square with a Highway 30 Cruisers car show, a patriotic pet stage photo op area, games, and lemonade. The day will conclude with a fireworks show lit from a barge in the Columbia River at 10 p.m. The full schedule for the day includes: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Meet goats in the Plaza 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Meet and greet Battlin’ Betties Oregon Platoon, a national co-operative auxiliary of pinups supporting our Nation’s Veterans & First Responders while raising awareness of PTSD and suicide prevention. 1:30 p.m. - National Anthem & Flag Raising Ceremony in front of the Columbia County Courthouse steps. 1:30 p.m. – Independence Day speakers on the Courthouse steps. 2 p.m. - “Let Freedom Bells Ring” ceremony at the Courthouse steps. The Courthouse bell will ring 13 times in recognition of a feder-
ally mandated Independence Day ceremony passed in 1963 by the U.S. Congress. Bells across the country ring 13 times at 2 p.m. in honor of the 13 original states. 2 p.m. – Reenactment signing of the Declaration of Independence with George Washington at the Columbia County Courthouse steps followed by cake and cookies in the Plaza Square. 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. - Larry Jackson Big River Big Band in the Plaza. Swing dance in the Plaza. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Hit Machine in Columbia View Park. 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. - Gary Bennett & The Coat-Tail Riders in Columbia View Park. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. - Macey Gard Band in Columbia View Park. 10 p.m. - Fireworks show launching from a barge in the Columbia River. Events are subject to change. Check the Discover Columbia County website (https://discovercolumbiacounty.com/events/4th-of-july2023-st-helens- fireworks-show-andmore/) for the most accurate schedule leading up to July 4. The St. Helens Independence Day Celebration: A Century of
Courtesy photo from the City of St. Helens
The St. Helens Independence Day celebrations ends with a fireworks display over the Columbia River.
Heroes is made possible thanks to the following sponsors: Keller Williams: The Jane Garcia Team, Laurelwood Brewing Co., Big Food Cart & Brew, Cascadia Home Loans, St. Helens Sand Island Campground, Wauna Credit Union, 503 Distilling & Cocktails, and the City of St. Helens. Due to waterfront construction, Riverfront Property tailgating is not being offered this year. There is free parking in the lower Columbia County Courthouse lot (riverside) and the City’s free parking
lot behind South 1st Street accessed next to 2Cs Vendor Mall or from the South 2nd Street and St. Helens Street intersection. No overnight parking is permitted in either parking lot. Attendees are also encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool to the Riverfront District. For more information about the 2023 St. Helens Independence Day Celebration, contact Communications Officer Crystal King at cking@ sthelensoregon.gov.