Fri., July 4, 2008

A full day of Fourth of July family fun is planned for Central Park (969 Kiely Boulevard), starting early in the morning with an 8 a.m. pancake breakfast and ending after dark with a spectacular fireworks display.

The old-fashioned festivities of the traditional All City Picnic on Friday, July 4, include a carnival area, petting zoo, face painting, Cosmo jump, and swimming at the International Swim Center and will celebrate our community's diversity. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase all-American foods prepared by local community groups.

Relax to live entertainment throughout the day at the Pavilion. The West Valley Jazz Orchestra, big band jazz, will perform at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Groove Kings, a dance party band at 3 p.m. Performing cultural groups will include Rafael and Ingrid, Duo Amaranto, singing Latin American folk songs, and the Kalaikoil Dance of Southern India performing classical Indian dance.

The fun will continue into the evening. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to the grass area between Millikin School and the Community Recreation Center where there will be music and a variety of food booths, followed by a spectacular fireworks display set to patriotic music at 9:30 p.m. Pre-fireworks entertainment will be provided from 7 - 9:30 p.m. by the Buchser Alumni De'ja'Vu Band and the Jazz vocal group, De'ja'Vu too, directed by David Ladd Anderson. Call (408) 615-3140 for additional information.

Enjoy Fireworks From a Safe Distance

Fireworks cause more than 24,000 fires and 9,000 injuries each year.The Santa Clara Fire Department urges everyone to enjoy fireworks with your family on the Fourth of July from a safe distance at one off the local public fireworks displays, like the one at Central Park. The possession and use of all fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks that may be legal in other cities, are illegal in the City of Santa Clara. It is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollar ($1000), or by both. Don’t risk injury or a citation – leave fireworks to the professionals.