Modesto Bee's guide to Fourth of July events around the area
Independence Day activities abound in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Tuolumne and Calaveras counties this weekend – everything from pie eating to parades and community picnics.
Big fireworks shows are fewer, as the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce is not having one this year and drought conditions again have canceled the show at Don Pedro Reservoir. With more and more Golden State vegetation going dry, though, many people worry that even the so-called safe-and-sane fireworks ignited on neighborhood streets are trouble waiting to happen.
But for those who feel it isn’t the Fourth without big fireworks, there’s a show Friday after the Modesto Nuts game and several more Saturday in Turlock, at Woodward Reservoir near Oakdale, and in Ripon, Manteca, Gustine, Atwater, Livingston and Merced.
Here’s a look at what’s happening around the region:
Modesto
▪ Friday, about 9 p.m., John Thurman Field – Independence Day celebration and fireworks after the Modesto Nuts face the Bakersfield Blaze. The Nuts have the only fireworks show in Modesto. Game time is 7:05 p.m and admission is $5 to $12, but many people watch the show from afar. www.modestonuts.com.
▪ Saturday, 9:30 a.m., downtown – The 141st annual Modesto Fourth of July celebration. The parade theme is “Let Freedom Ring.” It will include marching bands, floats, performers and more. The parade moves from 10th and F streets to J Street, then up 11th Street and back to I Street to 17th Street. It is organized by the Modesto Kiwanis Club, and the grand marshals will be the Stanislaus County Police Activities League, Sierra Vista Child & Family Services and Youth Entertainment Stage Company. There will be four food trucks – Cupcake Lady, Sips & Stems Coffee, Jessica’s Tacos and Food Fix – in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. New is a Fourth of July Festival Party at Tenth Street Plaza in front of Brenden Theatres from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will include kids games, live music, food and crafts booths. www.modestojulyparade.com.
Patterson
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Park. The American Legion is hosting a free Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration. There will be a short ceremony at 9, a raffle of a basket donated by the Patterson Rotary at 12:30 p.m., and oldies music and games throughout the morning. To learn more, go to www.facebook.com/ElijahBHayesPost168.
Turlock
▪ Saturday, 8 a.m. downtown – The day begins with a street fair and market in Central Park at 8 a.m., including a Kids Zone, continuing until 1 p.m.. A traditional Fourth of July parade down Main Street will begin at 10 a.m. The Patriotic Parade travels East Main Street and turns onto Broadway Avenue. At dusk, there will be a free fireworks show sponsored by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce at California State University, Stanislaus. People are welcome to come as early as 7 p.m. to grab a spot. 209-632-2221, www.turlockchamber.com, www.turlockdowntown.com.
Oakdale
▪ Saturday, about 9:30 p.m., Woodward Reservoir, 14528 26 Mile Road – Woodward Fireworks Celebration. Arrive early, because upon reaching capacity, the park will be closed to all inbound traffic. Attendees should plan to stay inside the park until the fireworks end. $20 per carload. 209-525-6750.
Ripon
▪ Friday, 4 to 11 p.m. Mistlin Sports Park, 1201 W. River Road – Midway of Fun Carnival. Continues Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
▪ Saturday at dusk, Mistlin Sports Park – Fireworks Extravaganza. Food vendors will be available. Admission and parking are free. 209-599-4411, www.ripon4thofjuly.com, www.facebook.com/ripon4thofjuly.
Manteca
▪ Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m., Big League Dreams, 1077 Milo Candini Drive – The city of Manteca’s celebration will have a watermelon eating contest, vendor booths, a softball tournament, live entertainment, children’s rides and activities, and fireworks. Fireworks will start at dusk, about 9:30 p.m. $2 for age 13 and up; free for 12 and under. 209-456-8600.
Gustine
▪ Friday, 5:30 p.m., Gustine High School football field – Tractor pull sponsored by Gustine Future Farmers of America.
▪ Saturday, 10:30 a.m., downtown – Festivities start with a parade at 10:30 a.m. from Main Street to Henry Miller Park. There will be activities at the park from noon to 4 p.m., including a frog jump contest, fun for kids and music, then fireworks at the Gustine High football field at dusk. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for fireworks. (209) 854-6975, www.members.tripod.com/gustinecofc.
Atwater
▪ Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Ralston Park and Castle Airport – The Run for Independence starts the day at 7:30 a.m. A parade starts at 9 a.m. at Foster’s Freeze on Winton Way and ends at Ralston Park. The festival at Ralston Park is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with entertainment from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The national anthem will be sung at 11. Gates at Castle Airport open at 6 p.m. for the concert and fireworks show. Performing are Mike Hammar & The Nails and the MOFO Party Band, Castle admission is $5 per carload; no walk-ins. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Gates close at 9 for fireworks. 209-358-2260. www.atwater4thofjuly.org.
Livingston
▪ Through Sunday, Max Foster Sports Complex, 2600 Walnut Ave. – A celebration and carnival run through Sunday. Events Friday include a low rider car show and parade at 2:30 p.m., a talent show at 3:10 and music past 10. There will be a classic car show and parade Saturday at 2:30 p.m. day two of the talent show at 4, music in the evening, a fireworks show at 9:25 and music by Journey Revisited at 10. 209-277-1402, www.livingston4thofjuly.com. According to a listing on Eventbrite, “Entrance fee will be a donation in any amount the attendee chooses but VIP tables of six will be available for $250.”
Columbia
▪ Saturday, 11 a.m., Columbia State Historic Park, off Parrotts Ferry Road – Columbia’s Glorious Fourth of July Celebration begins with a flag-raising and black powder musket salute at 11 a.m., followed by a noon parade. After the parade will be a Great Mother Lode Brass & Reed Band concert, dancing in the street and contests popular in the early days of Columbia, including a greased-pole climb, bucket brigade, cake walk, nail pounding, watermelon and pie eating, egg relay race and egg toss, and five-way tug of war. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce is serving pulled pork sandwiches with beans, cole slaw and chilled water. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Celebration admission is free; contests are $1 each. 209-536-1672, www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com.
Angels Camp
▪ Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Utica Park, South Main Street – Fourth annual Fourth of July Picnic. Music and other entertainment, old-fashioned games with prizes and trophies, and food and drink vendors. A patriotic salute to veterans begins at 1 p.m. Admission is free. 209-736-1333, www.angelscampbusiness.com.
Murphys
▪ Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road – The Independence Day celebration will feature family fun with live music, wine, beer, food, bounce houses, climbing walls, face painting and more. There will be performances by Shane Dwight, The Tour Guides and The Risky Biscuits. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., and fireworks begin at dark. Adults $12, children 6-12 $5, children 5 and under free. ironstoneamphitheatre.netn-the-4th.
Twain Harte
▪ Saturday, 11 a.m., Meadow Lane – Parade registration and a patriotic singalong begin at 11 a.m., with a parade at 11:30. Everyone is welcome to participate. Just pick up an application at All That Matters in downtown Twain Harte or at the registration desk by Cal Fire on the day of the event. 209-586-1976, www.twainhartecc.com.
San Andreas
▪ Saturday, 5 p.m., Turner Park, 287 Treat Ave. – The community will celebrate the Fourth with the Calaveras Community Band barbecue and concert. Barbecue will be served from 5 to 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. The menu features Glenn’s refrigerator smoked ribs, barrel BBQ chicken with roasted potatoes, vegetable salad with ranch dressing and drop biscuits for $15. Stay after the concert for dessert of dutch oven apple crisp. The concert includes patriotic favorites and 1940s swing tunes. Free admission. www.gocalaveras.com/calendar-of-events.
Mokelumne Hill
▪ Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – A pancake breakfast in the town hall starts the day from 7:30 to 11 a.m. The parade along Main Street begins at 11 a.m., followed by children’s games, music and food in Shutter Tree Park. Calaveras County’s Mokelumne Hill has one of the oldest continuous July 4 parades in the Mother Lode, with riders on horseback, antique cars and trucks, floats, cowboys and, as the finale, a display of fire engines and trucks. Free.
This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Modesto Bee's guide to Fourth of July events around the area."