You can celebrate the Fourth of July twice in the 209 this year.
That’s because there are Independence Day events taking place on both Saturday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 4, including aerial fireworks both days.
The 209 offers unique fireworks settings ranging from the Stockton Waterfront and Lodi Lake to Columbia Historic State Park that also includes old-fashioned touches such as greased pole climbing contests and more.
Woodward Reservoir: Saturday, July 1
The Stanislaus County Parks & Recreation Department hosts aerial fireworks on Saturday, July 1 shortly after 9 p.m. at Woodward Reservoir, just a few miles northwest of Oakdale.
The reservoir is reached by taking Highway 120 and turning onto 26-Mile Road.
It’s designed to cap a day of fun on the water, enjoying the beach, pursuing low-key “lawn” games that people bring as well as picnic spreads.
The cost is $25 per car to enjoy both the recreation opportunities during the day and watch fireworks being presented over the water.
For more information go to stancountypark.com
Lathrop: Saturday, July 1
It’s a double celebration on Saturday, July 1 in Lathrop.
That’s because the date marks the 34th anniversary of Lathrop’s incorporation as a city in 1989.
Lathrop’s community celebration was launched years ago with the idea to celebrate two birthdays — that of the city and that of the nation.
This year’s event starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 at Generations Center at 450 Spartan Way near Lathrop High.
The free event includes food trucks, carnival games, vendors, live music, rides and inflatables, kids entertainment, face painting and fireworks scheduled at 9:30 p.m.
Go to ci.lathrop.ca.us/parks rec for more information.
Turlock: Saturday, July 1
Turlock doesn’t have an aerial fireworks display but they do celebrate Independence Day.
The downtown celebration takes place on Saturday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It includes the parade at 10 a.m.
This year’s car show includes 200 entries — double last year’s cars. That will make it one of the biggest displays in the region. There are also vendors and food booths.
For more information go to cityofturlock.org/special events/holidayevent/fourthofjuly.
Manteca: Tuesday, July 4
Manteca’s traditional Independence Day celebration will feature a parade, aerial fireworks, and breakfast.
And, remember; make sure you stick around for the end of the parade.
The Manteca Fire Department is once again bringing out its hose cart.
Firefighters will run between fire hydrants, hook up the hose, roll it out and then provide an impromptu cooling ‘shower’ for the young and the young at heart that gather in the street.
The Manteca Rotary is bringing back the Fourth of July breakfast that the Manteca Noon Kiwanis hosted for more than 55 years before the pandemic struck.
It takes place Tuesday, July 4 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Mt. Mike’s Pizza, Louise Avenue and North Main Street.
The $10 breakfast includes pancakes, ham, eggs, coffee, and orange juice.
Tickets will be sold at the door.
There is no entry fee for the parade as the Sunrise Kiwanis underwrite associated costs from their staging of the annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair. It is one donation of more than $40,000 in an average year in financial support the service club gives the community as the result of the Pumpkin Fair.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. It will go down Main Street from Golden West School. It then turns right to head west to Library Park where it will disperse.
The theme is “A Celebration Honoring Service in the Community”.
For more parade information, go to sunrisekiwanis.org
The City of Manteca is also staging an aerial fireworks show on July 4, expected to start at 9:30 p.m.
The aerial display will be over the Big League Dreams sports complex.
Admission is $2 for attendees over the age of 12, and gates open at 7 p.m.
You can also watch the fireworks for free from several nearby venues.
The suggested locations are:
* Bella Vista Park, 1580 Bella Terra Dr.
* Dutra Estates Park, 2701 Ancestry St.
* Dutra Estates Mini Park, 1523 Hearthsong Dr.
* Dutra Southeast Park, 1850 Sparrowhawk St.
* Kevin O’Neill Park 1282 Laurel Park Cir.
* Roberts Estates Park, 1740 Rail St.
Modesto: Tuesday, July 4
The Modesto Kiwanis Club and the City of Modesto are staging a Fourth of July parade on Saturday, July 4 in downtown Modesto.
It’s the 150th edition.
The parade with a theme of “Sun, Stars, and Stripes” starts at 9:30 a.m. in the heart of the town that inspired American Graffiti.
The All-American Festival follows at the 10th Street Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It features kids activities, live music, food and crafts.
For more information go to visitmodesto.com/events/4th-of-july-parade-festival/
Meanwhile, if you want to combine a baseball game with aerial fireworks on Tuesday, July 4, then John Thurman Field in Modesto is the place to be.
Fireworks will cap the 7:05 p.m. game between the Modesto Nuts and the Stockton Ports. Pricing and other details can be found at miLB.com/modesto.
Tracy: Tuesday, July 4
Tracy offers a parade and aerial fireworks on Tuesday, July 4.
The Tracy City Center Association-hosted parade starts at 10 a.m. The parade route is in downtown from A Street to the Front Street Plaza.
Then at 9:30 p.m., the City of Tracy will host aerial fireworks at Kimball High School.
Stockton: Tuesday, July 4
Stockton is having a full-blown Fourth of July celebration wrapped around the downtown’s unique waterfront.
The parade near the Civic Auditorium starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of Weber and El Dorado. It then goes north on El Dorado to Oak, left on Oak to Center, left on Center south to Weber Avenue.
The festival starts at noon at the Weber Point Events Center on the water’s edge.
Aerial fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. They typically provide not just a dazzling display in the night sky but also shimmering reflections in the water.
Lodi: Tuesday, July 4
It’s Fourth of July at Lodi Lake on Tuesday, July 4.
And it’s all happening at Lodi Lake at 1101 W. Turner Road, just off the Mokelumne River.
It starts with Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi hosting its annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; tickets are $7 for children ages 5 to 12; $10 for adults; children four and under eat for free.
The lake is then closed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow vendors to set up. The gates reopen at 2 p.m., for the free celebration.
What makes the event unique is you can access the public beach swim area or rent paddle boats and kayaks at the boat house.
Aerial fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Columbia: Tuesday, July 4
If you want something a tad different then check out Columbia’s Glorious Fourth of July Celebration.
It takes place Tuesday, July 4 at Columbia State Historic Park just north of Sonora.
It begins with a Flag Raising and Black Powder Musket Salute by the Columbia Militia at 11 a.m. Following that is a concert on Main Street.
Activities throughout the event include needle in the haystack, watermelon eating contest, bucket brigade, nail pounding contests, egg relay and egg toss, greased pole contest, cake walk, and five way tug-o-war.
A one dollar donation is suggested to participate in contests.
Columbia’s Independence Day celebration includes a barbeque at 1 p.m., and proceeds of the day benefit the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
And don’t forget the state park itself with stores, attractions, and dining in buildings built in Columbia’s Gold Rush glory days.
For more details, go to visittuolumne.com
