Where to celebrate July 4 events in Merced County, including fireworks, parades, festivals
Fourth of July celebrations are scheduled for communities across Merced County leading up to Independence Day.
Firework stands are set up across the county as many high school sports teams and clubs use the sales as fundraisers.
There will be parades and festivities taking place from Merced County’s east to west sides.
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 eye wear 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.
Here’s a list of local events celebrating Independence Day:
Lake McClure
Lights on the Lake returns on Saturday, June 29 with a firework show over Lake McClure.
Tickets can only be purchased online. The fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9 p.m.
The cost is $25 per vehicle and 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.
Merced
Residents can also start their Fourth of July celebrations early with racing and fireworks festivities at the Merced Speedway on Wednesday, July 3.
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 and a beer booth.
The Merced Speedway is located at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Atwater
Atwater’s annual Fourth of July festivities will include a race, parade, festival and fireworks.
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. near the corner of Grove/2nd St. across from the finish line archway. The Start and the Finish will be located near the registration area at Second St./Grove Ave.
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 p.m.
The grand fireworks display will begin lighting up the skies above Castle just after 9 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 6 to 10 p.m. at Henry Miller Plaza at 600 H St.
There will be live music, beer garden, food vendors and carnival rides.
The firework show will start at 9 p.m.
Livingston
Livingston will be holding their annual Fourth of July celebration with a three-day carnival being held Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7.
The three-day festival will be held at the Max Foster Sports Complex locate at 2600 Walnut Ave in Livingston.
There will be food vendors, beer garden and carnival rides. The vendors will be set up from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day. The festival will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Entry is free, parking is $6 each day and the carnival is $35 in advance per day and $45 at the festival. Wristbands for unlimited rides can be purchased at Livingston City Hall, 1416 C Street. the wristband covers unlimited rides for 1 day.
The fireworks show will be held on Friday at 9:30 p.m.
