Modesto area guide to Fourth of July events

MODESTO -- The valley and foothills have the patriotic spirit this year and have been celebrating Independence Day all week.

Here are some details about how you can celebrate the nation's 236th birthday:

MODESTO

• Today, 9:30 a.m. — 138th annual Fourth of July Parade, downtown. The parade moves from 10th and F streets to J Street, then up 11th Street and along I Street to 17th Street. The theme is "America the Beautiful." The parade is organized by the Modesto Kiwanis Club, and the grand marshal is Carl Boyett. Call Jeremiah Williams, (209) 522-3066. www.modestojulyparade.com.

TURLOCK

• Today, 10 a.m. — Fourth of July Parade proceeds down Main Street and ends at the Stanislaus County Fairground,900 N. Broadway. Call (209) 632-2221.

• 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. — Fenders and Fireworks classic car show, Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway. Food vendors, special events for kids, music by The Hot Rods. $5 donation for adults, free for kids younger than 12. Call Rick Wallenburg at (209) 604-3044 or Don Harmon at (209) 993-6929.

• 9:30 p.m. — Stars and Stripes Fourth of July Red, White and Boom Fireworks Show sponsored by 7Up, Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway. Also sponsored by the city of Turlock, Stanislaus County Fair, Turlock Rural Firefighters, Turlock Chamber of Commerce, and Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and picnic dinners. No alcohol, glass bottles or personal fireworks. Free. Call (209) 632-2221.

RIPON

• Today, 3:30-9 p.m. — Fourth of July celebration with food and carnival games. Ripon Elementary School, Main Street and Acacia Avenue. Free.

• 5 p.m. — Nonmotorized Fourth of July Parade. Begins at Ripon Elementary School, then runs down Main Street to Stockton Street to Second Street to Vera Avenue, then back to Main.

• 9 p.m. — Fireworks. Ripon Elementary School. Free; donations accepted. Call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, (209) 599-7519.

MANTECA

• Today, 10 a.m. — Independence Day Parade. Begins at Jason and Main streets, then goes toward Center Street to Poplar Street. Theme is "Stars and Stripes Forever." Sponsored by the Sunrise Kiwanis and city of Manteca. Call Brian Mills, (209) 607-3474.

• 6-10:30 p.m. — Fourth of July celebration and fireworks. Vendor booths, softball tournament, family entertainment, fireworks launched from waste-water treatment plant. Big League Dreams Sports Complex, 1077 Milo Candini Drive. Admission is $2 for ages 13 and older, and free for kids 12 and younger. Unlimited children's rides, and activities and access to the teen zone is $2. Sponsored by the city of Manteca and Big League Dreams. Call (209) 456-8600.

GUSTINE

• Today, 10:30 a.m. — Fourth of July Parade down Fifth Street. Sponsored by the Gustine Chamber of Commerce.

• Noon-4 p.m. — Independence Day celebration with carnival and food booths. Henry Miller Park, Third Avenue at Sixth Street. Free.

• 6:30 p.m. gates open — Fireworks show begins at dark. Gustine High School, 501 North Ave. Call (209) 854-6268, (209) 854-6975 or(209) 777-9382.

ATWATER

• Today, 7 a.m. — Fourth of July Run 4 Independence.

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Parade from Atwater High School to Ralston Park. Festival at the park with entertainment and dignitaries.

• 8 p.m. — Concert followed by fireworks. Liliana Peau, and Cynthia Huddleston & The Juke Joint Jokers will perform. Castle Airport Parade Grounds. $5 per car to park on grounds. www.atwater4thofjuly.com.

LIVINGSTON

• Friday, 6 p.m.-midnight — Fourth of July festival and talent show. Food, car show, craft booths, carnival rides, and games for kids and adults. Memorial Park.

• Saturday, 3 p.m.-midnight — Festival continues; fireworks at dusk. Memorial Park.

• Sunday, 3 p.m.-11 p.m. — Festival continues. Memorial Park. www.livingston4thofjuly.com.

COLUMBIA

• Today, 11 a.m. — Columbia's Glorious Fourth of July Celebration, Columbia State Historic Park, off Parrotts Ferry Road. Flag raising and cannon firing at 11 a.m.; parade up Main Street at noon. After the parade, there will be activities all day. The Great Mother Lode Brass and Reed Band will perform. There will be a variety of contests, including climbing the greased pole, hunting a needle in the haystack, a bucket brigade, a cake walk, nail pounding, watermelon- and pie-eating, tug of war, egg relay and more. Free admission; $1 to enter each contest. Sponsored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Call (209) 536-1672 or visit www.columbiacalifornia.com.

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