This won’t be your normal Fourth of July in the Merced region. What’s happening
.JPG "Fireworks explode in the night sky during a Fourth of July concert and fireworks show in 2021 at the former Castle Air Force Base in Atwater.")
It’s a special year for Independence Day, and communities throughout the Merced and Mother Lode regions are getting ready to celebrate in a big way.
Our nation’s 250th anniversary will be marked with a host of activities, such as parades, festivals, a special train ride and — natch — plenty of pyrotechnics.
Here’s a look at just some of what’s planned in the region this year:
MERCED
July 3: The annual Diamonds in the Sky in Memory of Margie event will be held at the Merced Speedway on Friday. There will be motor events and a fireworks show. Gates open at 5 p.m., with racing starting at 7 and pyrotechnics after dark. The speedway is at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. All events are free. www.mercedspeedway.net.
TURLOCK
July 3-4: The Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association and Turlock Chamber of Commerce present a two-day celebration. A parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday along West Main Street. Also Friday, a festival from 5 to 10 p.m. is planned at the Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, with live music, vendors, food booths and more. A fireworks show begins at dusk. On Saturday, there will be a car show, farmers market and makers market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Turlock. Free admission both days. www.turlockdowntown.com/usa and www.instagram.com/p/DYFBBM0HDQ1.
LOS BANOS
July 4: The city’s Independence Day celebration is set from 6 to 10 p.m. with live music by Troublesome, food vendors, arts and crafts, a carnival and more. Festival 6 to 10 p.m., fireworks after dark. Henry Miller Plaza, 600 H St. www.facebook.com/downtownlosbanos.
DENAIR
July 4: A Tractor Parade & Golf Cart Contest starts 9 a.m. at the Denair Community Center, traveling down Main Street. People can decorate golf carts in red, white and blue for the contest with prizes (must register in advance). Free. lovedenair.com.
LAKE McCLURE
July 4: “Lights on the Lake” returns to Lake McClure. Recreation at Lakes McClure and McSwain will be open all day, with fireworks viewing areas opening at McClure Point at 6 p.m. Enter at 9090 Lake McClure Road, Snelling. Fireworks are set for dusk. Advance tickets are recommended, $25 per vehicle at yodelportal.com/mid/Events. Same-day tickets may remain for $30, with a longer wait to enter. Park entry will close at 7:30 p.m. Boaters can watch from the water for $10 and must register on the above website.
LIVINGSTON
July 4: Festivities include family activities, contests, live music and cultural performances. A kids zone will offer a water slide, petting zoo, arts and crafts. A local artists exhibit, “America Means to Me,” will on display at the Walnut Child Care Center, 2600 Walnut Ave. Events will end with fireworks after dark. 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Max Foster Sports Complex. 2600 Walnut Ave. Free, $5 parking. www.cityoflivingston.org/recreation/page/4th-july-festivities.
ATWATER
July 4: A free parade downtown begins at 9 a.m., while a festival at Ralston Park will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A concert featuring Mike Hammar and the Nails and a fireworks show is set for 6 to 10 p.m. at Castle Commerce Center, with admission at $20 per car, $5 per walk-in. Gates close at 9:15 p.m. See www.atwater4thofjuly.org.
GUSTINE
July 4: A parade begins the holiday at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street to Henry Miller Park, 670 2nd Ave. Activities at the park follow with entertainment, kids games, food and craft booths; beers and margaritas for purchase. Later, gates open at 7:30 p.m. at the Gustine High football field, 501 North Ave., for live music and food vendors. Fireworks will go off around 9:30 p.m. Free. fourth-july.com/event/4th-of-july-celebration-eid4a7gr1hph3.
LAKE DON PEDRO
July 4: The annual Fireworks On The Water Celebration is set to return. Parking is limited, so spectators are advised to arrive early for the 9:30 p.m. show. 11500 Bonds Flat Road, La Grange. $40 per vehicle, $20 per vessel. www.donpedrolake.com/recreation-area/fireworks-show.
COLUMBIA
July 4: Columbia State Historic Park suggests people “celebrate our nation’s birthday the old-fashioned way.” The day begins with a flag raising and black powder musket salute at 11 a.m. A parade on Main Street begins at noon. Other activities include a greased pole climb, egg relay race, watermelon eating, bucket brigade, cakewalk, nail pounding, egg toss, a five-way tug-of-war and more. Patriotic music will be played by the Great Mother Lode Brass and Reed Band. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27701.
TWAIN HARTE
July 4: A community sing-along will start at 9:30 a.m. along Joaquin Gulley Road, where a parade is set from 10 to 11 a.m. Free. www.twainhartecc.com/events/4th-of-july-parade.
RAILTOWN 1897
July 4: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park will offer a “Star-Spangled Steam Ride,” with patriotic music, lemonade and popcorn. There will be Glo-Stick accessories provided for the 45-minute ride through the Mother Lode Gold Country. Train departs 8:30 p.m. 10501 Reservoir Road, Jamestown. $28, $21 ages 6-17, free ages 5 and under. www.railtown1897.org.
