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Updated with more special Independence Day events.
East County News Service
June19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, El Cajon’ Independence Day picnic with fireworks and the Santee Salutes patriot celebration are cherished annual traditions in East County. Below are details. If you know of an East County Fourth of July activity we’ve missed, please email editor@eastcountymagazine.rog and post details in our comments section below.
LAKE MURRAY MUSIC FEST AND FIREWORKS RETURNS JULY 4TH
After several years on hiatus, the beloved San Diego Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks show is coming back on July 4th from 11 a.m .to 10 p.m., with the fireworks show at 9 p.m. The music fest is held at Lake Murray Community Park in San Carlos (5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, off Lake Murray Blvd.).
The day of fun includes food vendors, fun, bands and fireworks. Bands range from a Beatles tribute to classic rock. The fireworks can be seen throughout the Navajo community, from La Mesa to Del Cerro and beyond. Food will be provided by Kiwanis (hotdogs and hamburgers), Admiral's Restaurant with Geoff Cole, Rita's Italian Ice, Bullseye Kettle Corn, Windmill Farms, Los Primos, and Inferno Woodfired Kitchen.
Get full details and full schedule of bands at https://www.lakemurrayfireworks.org/
JULIAN 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Julian proudly proclaims its annual 4th of July parade to be the best small-town parade in America.
The parade starts with the firing of a cannon and also includes earlier flyovers by vintage aircraft, a gunfight and bank robbery staged by the Julian Doves and Desperados from 10 a.m. to 12 noon., as well as unfurling of a giant flag.
The parade itself starts at noon and includes equestrians, marching bands, bagpipers, floats and more, plus there’s a barbecue and dance at the American Legion as well as drawings for vintage airplane rides, sky sailing and a hand-made quilt displayed at Julian’s town hall.
Main Street closes at 9 a.m. so arrive early to enjoy this patriotic event in historic Julian. For full details, visit http://julianparade.com/
ALPINE 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND CARNIVAL
Alpine will celebrate Independence Day with a Fourth of July Parade starting at 10 a.m. along Alpine Boulevard between West Victoria Boulevard and Tavern Road, bringing back a tradition that’s been dormant for years. Everyone is invited to participate or come watch.
The parade’s grand marshals will be Bill Ridenour and Fred Higginbotham, both local World War II veterans now in their 90s who have been instrumental in adding many names of local veterans to Alpine’s Wall of honor. The parade is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Alpine, Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce, and Alpine Community Center.
The parade route ends at the Alpine Community Center, where a carnival will include a petting zoo, bounce house, dunk tank, games and children’s activities. There will also be a Wild West show, live band , barbecue and beer garden. For details visit http://www.alpinekiwanis.org.
EL CAJON CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS JULY 4
The city of El Cajon invites you to celebrate Independence Day with numerous games, live musical entertainment and fireworks at the City of El Cajon’s Fourth of July Celebration! On July 4th, the El Cajon Recreation Department will host the event at Kennedy Park (1675 East Madison Avenue in El Cajon).
From 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can enjoy carnival games, an inflatable, a kiddie train and a skate park. Free crafts and family games will be available from 2 to 6 p.m., with music by two live bands from 3 to 9 p.m. A fireworks show with synchronized music at 9 p.m. will provide a finale to the celebration of our nation’s birthday.
SANTEE SALUTES JULY 4
The City of Santee invites you to celebrate Independence Day at Santee Salutes, held on July 4th from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive, Santee).
Visitors can rock out with live music, see a patriotic ceremony, enjoy a kid's fun zone and a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m. For details, visit the city of Santee’s webpage and click the events calendar.
DEERHORN VALLEY JULY 4 PARADE AND FESTIVAL
The Deerhorn Valley Independence Day parade and picnic returns this July 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring flags, drums, rattles, shakers and lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities. Community members are invited to march in the parade including wagons, bikes, trucks, horses, goats and emus. “If it moves, it can march!” the flyer proclaims.
The parade stages at McNeill’s field at lower Elena and Deerhorn Valley Road at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. the parade rolls out, led by Deerhorn Valley’s mounted flag bearers.
The parade ends at the McKinley Field picnic area (see map below), where a $2 meal ticket includes hot dogs, watermelon, water and chips until supplies run out. Popcorn and cotton candy are also available for sale. You can also enjoy local vendors and crafters, plus a potluck-style dessert and goodies table.
VIEJAS FREEDOM FESTIVAL JULY 2
If you want to start celebrating Independence Day weekend early, Viejas Casino and Resort invites you to a Freedom Fest on July 2 from 7-9 p.m. Celebrate the American spirit with live music and cuisine from around the country at the hotel pool, followed by a fireworks show over the park at Viejas. For details visit www.Viejas.com.
RANCHO SAN DIEGO LIBRARY TO HOLD INDEPEDENCE DAY CELEBRATION ON JULY 1ST
Families and folks of all ages are welcomed to the Rancho San Diego Library at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego for their annual Celebrate the USA event, an old-fashioned Fourth of July festival. This event will be taking place Saturday, July 1st from 11am-1pm, and is free for all ages. As part of the event, the Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library will be holding a half-price book sale in the library courtyard from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Each year the Rancho San Diego Library combines classic elements of idyllic American picnics such as music, games, refreshments, and crafts into a fun community event. This year’s festivities will include a storytime with Miss Rancho San Diego and members of her court, performances by Sparkles the Clown and folk band Trails and Rails, booths from community members, and crafts and games for kids, The event also celebrates the start of Reading by Design: The San Diego County Library’s 2017 Summer Reading Challenge.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library. For more information, contact branch staff at 619-660-5370.
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OLD POWAY PARK HOSTS OLD-FASHIONED INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION—TURN-OF-THE CENTURY STYLE
Experience an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration complete much as people at the end of the 1900s would have done. The fun includes patriotic entertainment, gunfighting reenactments and rides on a historic railway train—as well as tasty treats, crafts, old-fashioned games and entertainment at Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Road, Poway) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event is free, though there are small fees to ride the train.
Shuttle Locations Available: Free Shuttles to and from the event will be available from two different locations. Locations include the Poway City Hall Parking Lot, 13325 Civic Center Drive, with the additional location at the Poway Adult School Parking lot located at 13626 Twin Peaks Road. Shuttles will run throughout the event.
At 9 p.m. you can watch a fireworks show at Poway High School; gates open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://poway.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=697&month=7&year=2017&day=4&calType=0
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