This Monday will be Independence Day. And if you want to go down the road to the south and then turning just a little bit east toward nearby Harrisburg, you’ll see Miss Oregon USA, Arielle Freytag, as Grand Marshall of the annual parade.
Freytag represented Miss Willamette Water Trail USA in the Miss Oregon USA pageant and feels as though she represents not only her hometown of Harrisburg, but all of the surrounding communities in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
“I have been dreaming about representing Oregon on the Miss USA stage for a very long time,” she said. “It is still pretty surreal having won the title. Of course I enjoy the modeling opportunities, but my biggest passion is having a larger audience to inspire. Getting people out volunteering in their own communities is my biggest goal as Miss Oregon USA!”
Harrisburg selects a theme for their Fourth of July Parade, and this year the theme is “Follow Your American Dream!” Freytag feels a close affinity to that theme, and she’s had a lifetime of parade memories to back it up.
“Every Fourth of July, Harrisburg puts on a spectacular parade that brings people in from all over Oregon. This has been a tradition for many years and I grew up excitedly attending the parade for as long as I can remember,” she said. “Though the parade is just one of the many highlights, there are so many more events and opportunities offered throughout the day. There are vendors, food, a flag raising ceremony, contests, live music and more. One of the favorite parts of the celebration for many is the HUGE firework show on the river, at the end of the night.”
For 2022, Freytag will be riding in style – thanks to Harrisburg Festival and Events Association – as Grand Marshal, as well as participating in events throughout the day.
“I’m even judging a potato salad contest!”
More Than a Pageant
The title of Miss Oregon USA comes with several special experiences.
“I modeled in Paris, France for Paris Fashion Week. The designer I modeled for, RC Caylan, will also be designing my Miss USA gown. I attended New York Fashion Week for Sherri Hill’s collection. I was presented with a proclamation from the mayor of my hometown, officially declaring June 19th, my birthday, as Arielle Freytag Day in Harrisburg. I presented Emmy awards at the Northwest Emmys. I was flown to Cancun, Mexico by Miss USA for a beautiful retreat weekend with the other Miss USA state titleholders, where we created promotional content for the Miss USA competition and got to really connect and bond with each other,” Freytag said. “So, you can say I have had some amazing experiences! I am very appreciative for all of it!”
And how does it feel to be Miss Oregon USA?
“I have been dreaming about representing Oregon on the Miss USA stage for a very long time,” said Freytag. “It is still pretty surreal having won the title. Of course I enjoy the modeling opportunities, but my biggest passion is having a larger audience to inspire. Getting people out volunteering in their own communities is my biggest goal as Miss Oregon USA!”
Freytag has won other crowns in her time. She was Miss Oregon 2014 for International Junior Miss and Miss Oregon 2019 for National American Miss, where she went on to place third in the National American Miss title.
And after her pageant days are over, Freytag sees herself in the air.
“I will continue my pilot training and will hopefully be flying private jets. I may quite possibly pursue a career as a commercial pilot in the future,” she said. “In addition to that, I will continue volunteering in my community and encouraging others to do the same. Your time is your most valuable currency.”
By Sally K Lehman
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