Fourth of July - Kimberly Horg

CELEBRATING THE
4th OF JULY WITH
IBERTY
JUSTICE
FORALL
wo-hundred and twentyGeneral admission is free, but
nine years after independreserved seating is $10 and parking
ence from Britain,
costs $7. Reserved seats can be purAmericans across the country conchased at www.bigfun.org.
In West Sacramento's Raley Field at
tinue to celebrate the day the
5 p.m., the Sacramento
United States became
Philharmonic Orchestra
the land of the free
headlines with local
and the home of the
bands opening the conbrave.
cert and fireworks closIn Sacramento, the
ing out the night.
day of independence is
Kimberly Horg
General admission is
commemorated with
$15, and reserved seating
several firework shows
is $25. Tickets are sold at the door
and a variety of family activities.
or can be purchased in advance by
Cal Expo's Sacramento
calling 916-766-2277.
Independence Day Celebration illuFor a less formal musical perminates the sky when the fireworks
formance, organist and master of
go off at 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 6
p.m. for the pre-event, featuring live ceremonies Tom Orr presents on a
musical fireworks show in downmusic starting at 7 p.m.
"It is the largest display of firetown Sacramento at the First
United Methodist Church. A hisworks in the area and can be seen
from all over Sacramento;' says
toric organ, a grand piano and
Erica Manual, public relations manmore than a dozen miniature toy
pianos produce patriotic singager at Cal Expo.
T
6 Parents'Monthly
July2005
www.parentsmonthlyonline.com
alongs and solos. It a family affair:
His daughter, Virginia Osuna, performs a piano solo and also plays
with her dad; his son, Kenny, performs a trombone solo; and wife,
Socorro, writes the program and
does the decorating.
The show is presented by volunteers, and donations go to the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"Everyone seems to enjoy it and
we are raising money for a good
cause;' Orr says. "If someone makes
a mistake, nobody cares because
we're just having fun."
Events start at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church. After the concert, visitors can enjoy refreshments
in the church's terrace room.
For music, fireworks and more, the
Fourth of July Celebration at Hagan
Community Park in Rancho
Cordova is a great place to go. This
year an extra day of fun was added
Continued
on page 8
4th of July
Continued
from page 6
to the calendar of events taking
place at the park throughout the
weekend.
A carnival gets the ball rolling on
July 1 at 5 p.m. This free, familyoriented event features arts and
craft vendors, live music from local
bands, a petting farm, a steam train,
food, beverages, the Cordova High
School Alumni beer garden, a quilt
show, a car show and a children
stage show.
And the nationally broadcasted
radio station, Radio Disney is there
with prizes and music for the
youngsters to enjoy.
On July 3, a Sunday morning
community worship service takes
place with a Christian band, followed by a Cordova High School
Alumni baseball game and then
later on that afternoon, a local funk
music band performance.
The Fish and Game Department
also presents "Fishing in the City"
in which the park's pond is stocked
with fish.
A parade kicks off Independence
Day at 10 a.m. down city streets and
ending in the park by noon. And
then a fireworks show closes the
festivities at 9:45 p.m.
"This is for the community and
everyone is invited to come;' says
Event Coordinator, Carol Hutchings.
"It has something for everyone and
it is going to be really fun."
In the southern region of
Sacramento, Elk Grove's Salute to
the Red, White and Blue is held in
Elk Grove Regional Park.
There are food vendors, arts and
Taxation without
First official state
representation:
Thirteen
- celebration
of the Fourth:
colonies in America forced to pay Massachusetts in 1781
taxes without representation in
First city to officially desParliament to England's King
ignate July 4 as a holiday:
George III
Boston in 1783
Independence
from
First federal legislation
Britain claimed and the
passed giving federal employDeclaration
of Independence
ees a July 4 holiday (without
officially adopted by the
pay): 1870
Continental
Congress: July 4,
Congress declared July 4 a
1776
legal Federal holiday: 1941
crafts and information booths,
along with a live radio broadcast of
FM 101.1 at 3 p.m., musical performances from local bands from 59:30 p.m. and fireworks immediately following the show.
For the little ones, there are
obstacle courses, a climbing wall
and a kids' zone equipped with
slides and a fun house. Admission is
free and parking costs $10.
Folsom celebrates the holiday a
little differently, with a whole lot of
country. For three days starting July
2, there is a pro rodeo at Folsom
City Lions Park in Dan Russell
Arena.
The gates open an hour before
the show, roping starts at 7 p.m.
and riding begins at 8:15 p.m.
When the sun goes down on the
Fourth, fireworks tie it all to an end.
"It is a popular event for all ages;'
says Nadira Wilson, office manager
of the Folsom visitor center.
Reserved seating is $19, general
admission is $17 and children and
seniors are $15.
Tickets are available at www.folsomprorodeo.com or at the Folsom
chamber office and visitor center.
Last but not least, Roseville's AllAmerican Fourth of July
Celebration Parade begins at 10
a.m. at the three-way intersection of
Vernon, Riverside and Douglas
Boulevard and concludes at Royer
Park at noon.
Then at the park, there are patriotic medleys from a 65-member
concert band, food booths, (and for
the kids there will be) games, Radio
Disney with the prize patrol, face
painting, along with jump houses.
Later that evening at the Placer
County Fairgrounds, in Roseville,
there is a free fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.
"Celebrating the Fourth of July is
a family and patriotic tradition for
decades in Roseville," says William
Boyer, city spokesperson. "It is a
great way for families to get together to celebrate the community and
the country and to recognize the
freedoms we enjoy."