Modesto’s Fourth of July Parade: Here’s what you need to know
As the United States celebrates its 250th Independence Day, Modesto will hold its annual Fourth of July Parade downtown for the 153rd time.
Contrary to previous reporting and announcements, the city’s largest fireworks display will take place on Friday, July 3, at Modern Woodmen Field following the Modesto Roadsters’ matchup against the Oakland Ballers. First pitch is at 7:11 p.m.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Ninth F streets. It will run along Ninth to J Street and then circle back to I Street, where it will continue until the route’s end at the intersection of I and 17th streets.
A list of road closures downtown has not been released as of Thursday afternoon. However, drivers should anticipate most of downtown’s core to be closed off, with limited access to the area’s parking structures.
One map shows staging for the parade will cover the entire area between D Street and F Street from 14th Street to Ninth Street. This area will likely be closed off in addition to the parade route.
Be ready for afternoon heat
The weather forecast for Independence Day is sunny with a high of about 95 degrees accompanied by a slight northwest breeze, according to the National Weather Service. The agency stated there will be “widespread minor heat risk” across the northern San Joaquin Valley.
“Regardless, if you are spending the holiday weekend outside, make sure to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, if you are on local waterways always wear a life jacket!” reads the weather service’s Area Forecast Discussion.
Evening temperatures are forecast to be in the lower 80s. After the sun goes down at about 8:30 p.m., lower temperatures will creep in. NWS forecasts a low of 63 degrees.
What to expect at downtown celebration
The parade’s food court and craft vendors will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on I Street in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts. Also on I Street, on the Stanislaus County Superior Courthouse lawn, will be the parade’s main stage and announcer.
A “Masked Protest Party” organized by Central Valley Black, Indigenous and People of Color Coalition will take place at 9:30 a.m. near the main stage on the courthouse lawn. The gathering will celebrate a federal judge’s decision earlier this week to temporarily block Modesto from enforcing an ordinance that bans masks at protests.
As for the parade’s contest, there will be 19 categories, including: Overall Equestrian Unit, Antique Car, Classic Car, Custom Car, Ethnic Group Float, Comical/Entertaining Entry and Marching Band.
All parade entries will be considered for the Overall Theme Trophy and the Chairman’s Trophy. The latter will be judged on which entry best presents the combination of the parade’s theme — which is the nation’s 250th anniversary — and the Fourth of July.
The chairmen for the parade will be Modesto Vice Mayor Jeremiah Williams and Johnny Garcia.
Parade judges include Golden Valley Health Centers Director of Community Affairs Yamilet Valladolid, Modesto Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Trish Christensen, Modesto Junior College President Brian Sanders and Modesto Bee Senior Editor Carlos Virgen.
The parade’s grand marshals are Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, JS West & Companies and Sutter Health. Williams stated they were chosen to represent water, wealth and health. There appears to be no official representative for contentment.
