After the cancellation of the July 4th festivities due to the COVID-19 shutdown, many community members set out to find another way to celebrate their patriotism.With the help of local law enforcement and the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce, the Independence Day Community Pride Committee helped coalesce those ideas into two events — a home and business decoration contest and a Hometown Hero Scavenger Hunt.“We know we can’t have a traditional celebration, but we’re still a strong, patriotic community,” Chamber Executive Director Cindy Vosburg told The Triplicate. “With the celebration in mind, we wanted to offer an adventure they could still do, like a scavenger hunt. Plus, we wanted to help local retailers sell retail products, help boost some of stores starting to reopen.”#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');The community is encouraged to safely participate in the contests, either as an entrant or an observer, Vosburg added.Decorating contestThe free decorating contest will be open to residences and businesses and will be organized by area with prizes for Klamath, Smith River, Fort Dick, Crescent City and Gasquet-Hiouchi.Homeowners off the beaten path and not easily accessible to traffic can enter digitally with a photo or a video.The committee will judge on best nighttime decor, business and residence, and for best daytime decor, business and residence.Entry forms are due by June 25. A map will be provided to the public, identifying the location of entries. This map will be posted on social media.Winners in each category will be announced July 6 and each will receive a $50 gift certificate from Home Depot.There will be one “best of show” winner. This winner will be featured in The Triplicate and awarded a custom championship belt, donated by members of Independence Day Community Pride Committee.Follow the city and the chamber’s Facebook pages for details on this award.Hometown Hero Scavenger HuntThe scavenger hunt will feature 12 Hometown Heroes. The Independence Day Community Pride Committee seeks nominations of someone who is a hero to you who currently lives in Del Norte County.Nomination forms are due by June 19.On July 2, information will be provided of the locations of where a photo of a hero will be displayed, but it will not be advertised as to which hero is positioned where. This map will be on social media.These locations will be at historic places throughout Del Norte County, encouraging everyone to learn more about local history.Individuals who provide correct information as to the hero and the location for all 12 heroes will be entered into a drawing where one person will be selected to receive a certificate and gift basket, delivered to them by one of the identified heroes.“Del Norte County has faced hardships throughout our history and we have always emerged a stronger community,” Vosburg said. “We are looking to provide you ways to learn more about our community, either with a hero, a historical site, or a creative family providing decorations for you to enjoy. We hope these activities will add to an enjoyable weekend with your family as you safely interact with backyard barbeques, neighborhood firework shows and making memories during your Fourth of July weekend.”For application forms, go to the city’s or chamber’s Facebook pages, the chamber website delnorte. org, or email Vosburg at director@delnorte.org. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });