Celebrate Independence Day at the All City Picnic at Central Park beginning at 12:00 pm with carnival games, face painting, jump houses and more for the kids and free recreational swimming at the International Swim Center. There will be plenty of food available for sale along with live entertainment all day. Stay for a patriotic fireworks display at 9:30 pm.

For more information, see event flyer or call (408) 615-3140.

Note:  You and your child’s attendance at any Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department sponsored event constitutes your permission for your photographs to be used for promotion purposes.

The laws governing fireworks in Santa Clara are clear – fireworks are illegal. Yet, on July 4, 2016, the City of Santa Clara’s Communications Center received 200+ calls related to illegal fireworks. Please do not engage in fireworks – it’s inconsiderate to your neighbors, needlessly scares children and pets, creates an unsafe situation and as a result ties up emergency phone lines.

Santa Clara Municipal Code section 15.60.280 states, “The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks, including those fireworks classified as Safe and Sane by the California State Fire Marshal, are prohibited.” This includes, but is not limited to, popular bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers and sparklers. Illegal fireworks are dangerous, should not be used, and pose a hazard to you and our community.

Residents are asked to report noise complaints and/or illegal fireworks to Public Safety Dispatchers the following circumstances:

• Injury - call 9-1-1
• Fire - call 9-1-1
• Property damage - call the non-emergency number 408-615-5580
• Sale of fireworks - call the non-emergency number 408-615-5580
• Knowledge of an exact location where fireworks are being set off - call the non-emergency number 408-615-5580

Administrative citations can be issued to violators as staffing allows. The fine for the first infraction is $300 and/or by imprisonment of up to six months. The penalty is more severe if the discharge of fireworks results in a personal injury or property damage.

Instead, stay safe this 4th of July and attend a free public fireworks display performed by licensed professionals in Santa Clara’s Central Park or at California’s Great America theme park.