Communities prepare for July 4 celebrations

Residents in Rancho Bernardo, Poway and 4S Ranch will all have free and low-cost activities available for them to celebrate Independence Day.

► Rancho Bernardo’s Spirit of the Fourth celebration will feature a full day of activities. Specific details are at SpiritOfTheFourth.org.

Morning activities will primarily occur in Webb Park, venue for the community fair. Activities will include the Larry Himmel Patriotic Pet Contest (registration is at 8:30 a.m., judging at 9:30 a.m.), veterans memorial ceremony at 10:45 a.m. and the Bob Wells Rubber Ducky Race on Webb Lake at 1:30 p.m.

The Wheels of Freedom Motor Show held throughout the morning and afternoon will feature all years, makes and features of vintage cars and sleek high-performance vehicles. Participation applications are still being accepted and many prizes will be awarded. For details, go to SpiritOfTheFourth.org.

The 49th annual Spirit of the Fourth parade will start at 3:30 p.m. Its theme is “Honoring our Korean War Veterans” and the grand marshals will be retired Army Lt. Col. Harry Hodges and retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams. Both are Korean War veterans and members of the Gen. J.P. Holland Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, which meets in Rancho Bernardo.

Bernardo Heights Middle School, 12990 Paseo Lucido, will be the venue for evening activities. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and there will be musical entertainment before the 9 p.m. fireworks show.

The suggested admission donation is $10 per person or $20 per family. Due to grass seating, attendees should bring blankets or lawn chairs. Parking in the RB High student lot is free.

► The City of Poway is offering a full day of fun activities on July 4, beginning with the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, continuing with a ceremony honoring veterans and concluding with fireworks at Poway High School.

The Old-Fashioned Fourth will begin at 10 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m. at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. This free celebration will feature live music, old-fashioned games, free children’s crafts, food, family fun and the return of wily train robbers as visitors ride the park’s train.

The Poway Midland Railroad will be running for a nominal fee. Train robbery re-enactments from the Shadow River Regulators and the Apache Canyon Gang will be happening throughout the day.

There will be a free shuttle pick-up and drop-off service from the Poway Adult School parking lot, 13626 Twin Peaks Road, and Poway City Hall, 13325 Civic Center Drive.

At 11 a.m., head over to Poway Veterans Park and join VFW Post 7907 and the Poway Veterans Park Committee in a ceremony to remember those who served our country. The event will include the firing of the ceremonial cannon.

The fireworks show will be in the Poway High School stadium, 15500 Espola Road. Starting at 6 p.m. enjoy music, games and family activities until the fireworks at 9 p.m. The entrance fee is $5 per person, children 11 and under are free. Early arrival is recommended.

Details on Old-Fashioned Fourth and the veterans ceremony are available by calling 858-668-4576. Information on the fireworks is available by calling 858-668-4772.

► In 4S Ranch, there will be an afternoon carnival and evening fireworks show on Independence Day.

The carnival at Linear Park, located just south of Monterey Ridge Elementary, 17117 4S Ranch Parkway, is presented by the 4S Ranch Master Association. From noon to 3 p.m. there will be games, rides, prizes and food available for purchase.

Wristbands for children ages 2 to 12 will be sold in advance and, or a higher price, at the event. Resident wristbands will be $5 per child if purchased by noon, Tuesday, July 3 at 4Sconnect.com. Resident wristbands purchased on July 4 and non-resident wristbands are $10. Adults and children under 2 years are free.

The 4S Ranch Fireworks Extravaganza will be held at Del Norte High School, 16601 Nighthawk Lane. Gates will open at 7 p.m. and the fireworks show will launch at dusk. No pets, glass or lawn chairs are permitted.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com