Celebrate the Fourth of July in Santa Cruz County
Contact: Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831-429-7281, ext. 112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org
May 13, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – Make friends, not war! This Fourth of July, pledge your allegiance to family fun and spend your patriotic holiday at one of the many dazzling celebrations throughout Santa Cruz County. Visitors have a variety of events to choose from as the nation marks its 232nd birthday.
If you have places to go and things to do this holiday weekend, and don’t have time to waste, then Aptos’ “World’s Shortest Parade,” is a must-see. Covering all of two blocks, the parade includes nearly every Aptos resident, both human and animal, dressed up in patriotic splendor. Visitors are welcome to participate – just arrive in costume and be prepared for fun! Following the parade, games, arts and crafts, and live music are offered in Aptos Park. The festivities begin with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 10:00 a.m. Call 831.688.1467 for more information.
And six short miles north of Santa Cruz, you can arrive early at Skypark in Scotts Valley and enjoy a picnic lunch with the family. Beginning at 3:00 p.m., seven dollars gets you traditional barbecue favorites served up at food booths and after feasting on grilled tri-tip, summer corn, and juicy watermelon, cut some rug – or in this case, grass – with live music, while kids jump for joy in bounce houses. Come nightfall, gaze up in pride at the fireworks display. Call 831.438.3251 for details and tickets.
At Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, there is so much to do, the all-American celebration begins on Friday, July 4 and doesn’t end until July 6th! Each day features a different main event, all wrapped up in a vintage 1950s-style theme. With a sock hop, dance and hula hoop contest, sack races, balloon toss, barbecues and other festivities, you can’t help but feel the all-American spirit! Round out your day at Roaring Camp with a unique ride through the majestic redwoods on a vintage train at Roaring Camp Railroads. For information visit www.roaringcamp.com
In south county, the 2009 Spirit of Watsonville gala features Celebrating its 153rd the City of Watsonville is calling all patriots for the 2005 Spirit of Watsonville gala. The city’s third largest event of the year, this down-home jubilee is a family-friendly way to acknowledge America’s birthday. Kick off the day with a pancake breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and after fueling up, attendees can enjoy musical entertainment, informational booths, a food fair, arts and crafts, and for the little ones, a kids area and jump house. Also participating will be the Watsonville Band, cheerleaders, karate and soccer clubs, equestrian groups, Veterans organizations, and representatives from the Watsonville school district. The revelry continues until 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.spiritofwatsonville.com
If you want to celebrate the Fourth of July a day early, pack a picnic dinner, and enjoy the free Friday night concert on Main Beach, sponsored by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Original artists and bands from the ’60s ’70s and ’80s will have you singing along and dancing in the sand to your favorite hits, while you’re cool off from the day’s sunshine by an evening sea breeze, courtesy of the Monterey Bay. Two performances on Friday, July 3rd begin at 6:30PM and 8:30PM.
For a truly red, white and blue experience, visit Wilder Ranch State Park, just ten miles north of Santa Cruz. From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. an old-fashioned 1906 Independence Day celebration is planned. Setting the mood for the event, historic Wilder Ranch, with its Victorian homes, gardens and an historic adobe, was once both a working ranch, and later a successful and innovative dairy. Stroll the grounds as your family joins in the fun of vintage picnic games, sack races, a cake walk, draft horse-drawn wagon rides, live old time music and hand-cranked ice cream. Living history demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing and baking using a Victorian wooden stove will add to the ambiance. Food vendors offering sausages, root beer, and lemonade will also be on hand. At noon, join the parade, followed by docents in period costumes reenacting the speeches of a century ago, given during the 1905 celebration with our Santa Cruz forefathers. Then, an historically-correct, 45-star flag will be raised as you look on with pride. Patriotic music will liven the scene, provided by the Santa Cruz City Band and others. Admission is free, and parking is available on a per-car basis for a small fee.
The CVC reminds celebrants that to mitigate fire danger this season, no sales or unofficial use of fireworks are permitted in Santa Cruz County, and that alcohol will not be allowed on any beaches Fourth of July weekend. In addition, Rio Del Mar State Beach parking lot at the end of Beach Drive, Seacliff State Beach day use area will be closed to vehicles, and San Lorenzo Point (Twin Lakes SB) will be closed on the Fourth of July.
For more information on Fourth of July events, contact the Santa Cruz County CVC at 831.425.1234 or visit www.santacruzevents.travel.
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