JULY 4TH FIREWORKS AND FESTIVITIES IN EAST COUNTY

By Jonathan Goetz

June 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – In celebration of Independence Day on July 4, there are many Fourth of July festivities in San Diego's East County to choose from including the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest, El Cajon’s fireworks and family fun activities, a family picnic and fireworks in Ramona, Santee Salutes with carnival games, music and fireworks, parades in Julian, Deerhorn Valley and Crest, Poway’s old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration complete with vintage train rides and more.

Here's the lineup of fun-filled, family-friendly July 4th activities here in East County.

LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FEST

The Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks show is an annual event put on by a group of active volunteers and community members featuring food, fun, bands and fireworks. Organizers say rising costs and permit issues will likely make this the last fireworks show, and they’re promising to go out with a boom.

The music fest is held at Lake Murray Community Park in San Carlos from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and the 9 p.m. fireworks can be seen throughout the Navajo community, from La Mesa to Del Cerro and beyond.

Find details or donate to help cover costs, at https://www.lakemurrayfireworks.org/

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS AT KENNEDY PARK IN EL CAJON

The City of El Cajon will host fireworks on July 4th at 9 p.m. at Kennedy Park. Other free activities will be offered as well including:

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Train Rides

3 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Arts and Crafts and Family Games

3 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Two Live Bands

9 p.m.: Fireworks

For more information, please call (619) 441-1540.

DEERHORN VALLEY INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE AND PICNIC

Fromm 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 4^th, the 11th annual Deerhorn Valley Independence Day Parade & Picnic offers small-town fun at itsfinest. Bring your tractor, trailer, dogs, horses, llamas, alpacas, bicycles, pigs, chickens, wagons, golf carts, walkers, marchin' boots, drums, marchin' music, noisemakers, and your own two feet!

The parade staging is at 9:30 a.m. at McNeil's Field at Deerhorn Valley Road and Lower Elena Lane. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and goes north along Elena Lane and then east along Elena Lane to McKinley's Field. Please note it does not go through Elena Lane just south of McKinley Field where the festivities take place; you'll want to be on the west and north portion of the loop.

Meal tickets are $5 and include hot dogs plus all the fixin's, chips and watermelon. Water and popcorn are free and there will also be a raffle.

JULIAN 4TH OF JULY PARADE

On the 4th of July, Julian honors our nation’s birthday with a salute to the men and women who made our country great, both domestically and militarily.  For more than twenty years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers from all over have lined up on the town’s Main Street to wave their flags, cheer the marching bands, salute the Marine Color Guard, and carry a giant American Flag down the thoroughfare.

At Noon – Enjoy watching a fly-over of vintage airplanes and the National Anthem will be played. The parade begins as soon as the National Anthem is completed and the enormous American Flag has been carried, by the audience, down Main Street. Those who want to participate in carrying the flag, should meet at the corner of C and Main Streets. The parade, which runs along Main Street, is quite popular so it is suggested that you arrive early to catch the pre-parade activities that start at 9:30 a.m.

Find out more details at https://www.julianparade.com/

CREST'S 78TH ANNUAL JULY 4TH EVENT

Crest's 78th annual July 4th event will not feature a parade, but will still have music, vendors, food, and a super raffle/auction at Nancy Jane Park and the Crest Community Clubhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th.

JULY 4TH FAMILY PICNIC AND FIREWORKS SHOW IN RAMONA

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce, Ramona Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Club of Ramona are proud to bring back the Annual 4th of July Fireworks show for 2024. Grounds open at 4 p.m. at Olive Peirce Middle School at 1521 Hanson Lane in Ramona. Free admission and parking, no glass containers or alcohol.

There will be food vendors, music, games, and from 9 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., fireworks set to the official soundtrack on Star 94.1 FM. Please bring blankets and lawn chairs to picnic on the lawn, service dogs only.

For all the details, visit https://ramonachamber.com/fireworks/

OLD FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT OLD POWAY PARK

Bring your family and friends to Old Poway Park and celebrate our country’s independence “turn-of-the-20th-century-style”. The celebration runs July 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Poway Park at 14134 Midland Road in Poway.

This event will feature patriotic entertainment, free children's crafts, train displays, and old-fashioned games. Train rides and tasty treats will be available for a nominal fee. Free shuttles are available starting July 4th at 9:30 a.m. from Poway Adult School and Poway City Hall.

For more information call 858-668-4576 or visit https://poway.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=2021&month=7&year=2024&day=4&calType=0

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS IN POWAY

Enjoy two spectacular firework shows as they light up the sky over the Poway High School Stadium and Poway Sportsplex at 9 p.m.

Gates at Poway High School open at 6 p.m. for games, activities, and a DJ spinning the tunes. No registration is required, please pay at the gate. Children ages 11 and under are free with a paid adult admission ($6). All proceeds benefit Poway High School Music Boosters. Please arrive early to allow plenty of time for parking.

Fireworks will also be set off over Poway Sportsplex (12349 McIvers Court). The Poway Sportsplex will not be open to view the fireworks. Please see the link to the parking map poway.org/fireworks-map.

For more information visit https://www.Poway.org  and click on "calendar."

SANTEE SALUTES 2024

Celebrate Santee Salutes on July 4th at Santee Town Center Community Park East features live music, food trucks, carnival rides, family fun, and spectacular fireworks. Enjoy the prestigious U.S. Marine Corps band, a moving Patriotic Ceremony, and dance the night away to a modern country band.

There are also food trucks, options to purchase glow sticks or light-up necklaces, and more. End the night with a dazzling display of fireworks, lighting up the sky and hearts with patriotic fervor!

For full details including parking and VIP canopy options, visit https://fourth-july.com/event/santee-salutes-2024-parking-and-canopy-sales-eid6hful9ib15c.