Your Guide to All Things Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is just around the corner and regardless of what you want to do, Santa Cruz County is sure have you covered. So whether you are looking for a good old-fashioned celebration, fireworks or parades, barbeque or pancakes, take a look at the list of events happening this Fourth of July holiday.

Events

Scotts Valley Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks

If you are looking for great family fun, Scotts Valley’s festival is one not to be missed. The festivities kick off with a parade, then lead into a festival in Skypark with barbeque food, game booths and live music. But perhaps the best part of this celebration is the fireworks show at the end, the only fireworks display in the county.

What you need to know

When: July 4. Parade begins at 3 p.m.; Food and game booths open at 5 p.m.; and fireworks begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Where: Parade is on Scotts Valley Drive from Civic Center Drive to El Pueblo Road. Festival is in Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road.

Price: Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the gate. Children 4 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at Scotts Valley Recreation, 361 Kings Village Rd., or at Scotts Valley Market, 14 Victor Square.

Places to park: Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Rd.; Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Rd.; Skypark’s skate and dog park; handicap parking is in the main Skypark lot in front of the Parks and Recreation office.

Other things to know: Scotts Valley Drive will be closed between El Pueblo Road and Erba Lane from 2 to 5 p.m.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration in Wilder Ranch State Park

Take a trip back to 1911 with this Fourth celebration. The day will begin with a parade and anyone can be in it, just wear patriotic 1911-style period clothing, pull a decorated wagon, bring musical instruments, or other old-fashioned items. The parade will march through the complex to the front lawn for a flag raising, speeches and patriotic music. After the parade, activities will include a cakewalk, historic lawn games, draft horse wagon rides, ice cream cranking, crafts, and live 1911-era music. Docents will also be demonstrating 1911 dairy ranch work, as well as leisure time activities. Patrons can bring a picnic or enjoy the food and drinks that will be for sale.

What you need to know

When: July 4 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Parade begins at noon.

Where: Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd.,
Santa Cruz

Price: Admission to the event is free but parking is $10 per car. Food and drinks will be for sale.

Roaring Camp Railroads Fourth of July Celebration

The party at Roaring Camp will last all weekend long, so if you have plans on the Fourth you can still partake in the 1950s-themed fun in the redwoods. Along with steam train rides, the festivities will include a sock hop, hula-hoop contest, games, live music and a barbeque.

What you need to know

When: July 2, 3, & 4. Gates open at 9 a.m.

Where: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Rd.,
Felton

Price: Admission to the park is free. Parking is $8. Train rides range from $24-$26.

Aptos Fourth of July Celebration

The town of Aptos knows how to do Fourth of July. Start off the day with a hearty pancake breakfast to get you going, and then take in a unique parade. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the town’s “World’s Shortest Parade,” as documented by the Guinness Book of World Records. But don’t be fooled, the parade is shortest in distance not time, and there is plenty going on in the parade to keep you entertained for a good while. The celebration wraps up with a party in Aptos Village Park where there will be food, vendors and live music by Santa Cruz band Extra Large.

What you need to know

When: July 4. Pancake breakfast is from 7:30-9:30 a.m.; the parade is from 10 a.m.-noon; and the party in the park is from noon-4 p.m.

Where: The pancake breakfast is in the Britannia Arms parking lot, 8017 Soquel Dr., Aptos. The parade is on Soquel Drive from State Park Drive to Trout Gulch Road. And the party is in Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Rd., Aptos.

Price: There is a fee for the pancake breakfast. The parade and admission to the park is free.

City of Watsonville Fourth of July Celebration

Not only will Watsonville be celebrating Independence Day, the city will also be celebrating its 160th birthday. The festivities kick off with a parade through the streets of downtown, followed by a fair with food, arts, crafts, live music and kids’ activities.

What you need to know

When: July 4. The parade begins at 2 p.m. and the festival runs from 2-5 p.m.

Where: The parade begins at St. Patrick's Church at Main Street and Freedom Boulevard and ends at First and Main streets.

Price: Free

Other Important Information

~The City of Capitola will erect temporary fencing at its beach to guide people through specific entrances. There will also be people screening for alcohol and fireworks.

~Fireworks are illegal in all of Santa Cruz County except for in the Watsonville city limits.

~A county ordinance for penalty enhancements during holiday periods makes it a $1,000 fine for anyone arrested for fireworks violations, possessing open containers of alcohol in public, consuming alcohol in public and noise violations between July 2-6.

~Glass containers, wood pallets or wood with nails, unleashed pets and vehicles are prohibited on public beaches.

Road Closures

Streets that will be closed from 7 p.m. to midnight are:

~The Murray Street Bridge between Seabright Avenue and 7th Avenue. Access to the Harbor from Santa Cruz will be off 7th Avenue via Capitola Road.

~All roads south of E. Cliff Drive between Buena Vista Avenue and the Yacht Harbor.