Atwater expects biggest Fourth of July celebration

ATWATER -- With numerous fireworks show cancellations in Merced County the past few months, the annual show in Atwater is building up to be one of the biggest July 4 celebrations ever.

Showgoers from Merced, Livingston, Turlock and Modesto are expected to throng the event.

With all the increased attention, a lot more thought has been given to what is usually the biggest event of the year in Atwater, according to Mayor Joan Faul -- and more attention means more people.

What to expect

Thanks to some last-minute sponsors, this year's celebration won't be cut back at all, said Greg McDaniel, chairman of the Atwater Fourth of July committee.

Two entities that have never donated to the event until this year include the city of Atwater and Merced County, he said. The city gave $4,500 and the county pledged $10,000.

"We're giving you the same thing you've had for years and years without having to cut anything back," he said. "We're financially sound, and things are going well."

Most people are expected to come for the festival at Ralston Park, McDaniel said. It usually brings in thousands of people.

However, he hopes that the fireworks show at Buhach Colony High School being combined with a concert will spur more people to come.

"Typically, if you come watch the fireworks, you come late and you miss all the concert," McDaniel said. "Now, the concert will start at 7 p.m. and lead right up to the fireworks at the same field."

The bands will play at the soccer field. Those in attendance can bring lawn chairs and blankets and lie on the grass.

There won't be many places to park around the high school, other than the paid parking area, which is $5 a carload, McDaniel said. Entrance to the soccer field where people can watch the concert and fireworks show is free.

McDaniel advises people to arrive early before the fireworks start because of the expected increase in traffic this year.

"We're hoping to get people there for the concert and the fireworks, rather than just the fireworks," he said. "If you wait late, you may be out of luck for parking, so you might as well get there early and enjoy the concert."

Some parking will be restricted Sunday, McDaniel said. There won't be any parking on Shaffer Road, Buhach Road or Avenue Two.

There won't be any road closures.

"Be prepared to enjoy a great parade and festival, but know it's going to be crowded," he said.

The entertainment

In addition to the festival, parade and booths, the concert is expected to be a big draw this year.

It starts at 7 p.m. with Kowhoon & the Ramblin Rowdies, a local band that plays a mix of county, punk and rockabilly.

Some of their influences include Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard.

At 8:15 p.m., The Why 4, a '60s-style band, will take over the stage. The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry and The Beatles all influenced the group.

The Why 4 will play classics, including "Surfin' USA" and "Mony Mony."

The music isn't the only part of the band people will recognize.

If the drummer happens to look familiar, that's because it's none other than Nelson Crabb, a member of the Atwater City Council.

The band originally started in 1965, he said.

"It was composed of some of the best musicians in the area," Crabb said.

After splitting apart in 1967, the group came back together in 2007 and has been playing ever since.

"We play basically the same things we played back in 1965 -- the only thing is now we're about 18 years older than we were back then," Crabb joked.

Safety

Fourth of July celebrations in past years have been enjoyable with few criminal incidents, said Chief Richard Hawthorne of the Atwater Police Department.

"Traditionally, when people come into Atwater on the Fourth of July, they have a good day," he said. "Usually, it's a good place for everybody to come."

Most issues the police department encounters relate to parking and fireworks, Hawthorne added.

The penalties for being in possession of illegal fireworks vary, but are often less than $500. Other local cities have recently increased fines to $1,000.

Hawthorne hopes to increase fines in the near future to dissuade people from using them.

"It's always been a problem since I became a police officer," Hawthorne said. "We try with the amount of manpower we have to respond to those incidents, but they see our clearly marked vehicles approach, and all of the illegal fireworks seem to disappear."

To ensure safety with the expected increase of visitors, the department is bringing in six additional officers from other cities to perform DUI sweeps, he said. Extra officers will also be on patrol.

People can keep themselves and their property safe during the Fourth by drinking lots of water, leaving valuables at home and locking their vehicles before leaving them, Hawthorne said. Any valuable items people leave in their cars should be kept out of plain view.

Except for parking fees, sounds like a lot of bang for no bucks.

Reporter Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth@mercedsun-star.com.