July 4 events in Merced County: Where to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parades, more
Communities across Merced County are set to celebrate the Fourth of July in style.
Fireworks will brighten the skies and parade-goers will march the streets from Merced County’s east to west sides, with festivities planned on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.
Firework stands are set up across the county as many high school sports teams and clubs use the sales as fundraisers.
The National Safety Council advises people to leave the fireworks to the experts. If you are going to use legal fireworks, here are some safety tips from the National Safety Council.
Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
Older children should only use fireworks under the close adult supervision.
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Wear protective eyewear when handling or standing near fireworks.
Never hold lighted fireworks in your hand.
Never light fireworks indoors.
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
Never light a device in a container.
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off in case of fire.
Never use illegal fireworks.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who witnesses the use of illegal fireworks to call their non-emergency number at 209-385-7445.
Fireworks such as mortars, roman candles, bottle rockets and firecrackers are illegal to possess in California, according to the Merced Police Department.
In Merced, citations will be issued that carry a fine of $1,000 for the first offense, $1,500 for the second offense and $2,000 for subsequent offenses.
Here’s a list of local events celebrating Independence Day:
Atwater
The City of Atwater has traditionally celebrated Independence Day in a big way and this year is no exception as they celebrate their 60th Annual Fourth of July Parade.
The community is kicking off Independence Day early with a July 4 Run for Independence, featuring a two and five mile race around the city. Check in starts at 5:45 a.m. at the strip park behind the Atwater Branch Library on 2nd St. across from Ralston Park.
Both races begin at 7:30 a.m.
The Downtown Atwater Parade will launch shortly after at 9 a.m. and travel down Winton Way from Fir Avenue, pass through Ralston Park and end at Juniper Avenue.
A festival will run for much of the day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Ralston Park. The celebration is free to the public.
Afterwards, festivities will move to Castle Commerce Center. Gates will open to attendees at 6 p.m. with a $15 per car entrance fee for entrance. Gates are scheduled to close to incoming traffic at 9:15 p.m.
The grand fireworks display will begin lighting up the skies above Castle at 9:30 p.m.
The Atwater 4th of July Committee has partnered with Blaker Brewing-The Tarmac at Castle Commerce Center for a Red, White and Brews event from 5-11 p.m. in conjunction with the fireworks show.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. The live music lineup includes an ACDC tribute band Noise Pollution, Makin’ Noise, Inverse and DJ Tag.
Merced
Residents can also start their Fourth of July celebrations early with racing and fireworks festivities at the Merced Speedway Saturday.
Both the racing and fireworks show are free to the public. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. The fireworks will be launched at dark.
The event will also include concession stands, food trucks and a beer booth.
The Merced Speedway is located at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Lake McClure
Lights on the Lake returns on Saturday with a firework show over Lake McClure.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate (cash only) or online. The fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9 p.m.
The cost is $20 per vehicle and there will be an extra $10 event fee charge for campers on Saturday.
All ticket sales will stop at 8:30 p.m.
Visitors are also invited to watch the fireworks from their boat. All night-time navigation laws will be enforced.
Livingston
The Livingston Independence Celebration will be held on Tuesday at the Max Foster Sports Complex, which is located at 2600 Walnut Ave. in Livingston.
The festival begins at 6 p.m. and will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and food.
The firework show is scheduled to start at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Los Banos
Los Banos is starting its Independence Day celebrations earlier Saturday.
The city’s Fourth of July Celebration will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. at Henry Miller Plaza at 600 H St.
The day’s festivities will include live music and kids activities, including face paint and balloons. Fireworks are set to launch at 9:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
The event is being put on by the Los Banos Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Los Banos.
Gustine
The City of Gustine is also kicking off its Independence Day celebrations early Saturday.
The sixth annual Westside 5K Color Run and Walk will kickoff the start of festivities at with warm-ups scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. The start of the run is scheduled for 9 a.m.
The event will take place at 4th Avenue and 5th Street. Funds raised will benefit the city’s recreation department and Gustine High School.
Celebrations will continue on Monday with a Gustine FFA tractor pull scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Gustine High School football field.
The Gustine Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July parade will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Marchers will travel from Main Street to Henry Miller Park.
The community can enjoy music, games, craft beer and food — and more — at Henry Miller Park following the parade. The recreation department is hosting activities at the park as well, including a corn hole tournament from 12-3 p.m.
Gustine’s 113th annual fireworks show will close out Independence Day at approximately 9:30 p.m.. Attendees can enter the Gustine High School football field at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs.
