4th of July, 2020
Due to COVID-19 Most Festivities Have Been Cancelled!
Coronavirus takes its toll on Fourth of July festivities Traditional Independence Day celebrations will be hard to come by this July, as annual parades and celebrations are being canceled across Santa Cruz County in a nod to ongoing COVID-19 health safety concerns.
Scotts Valley on Monday announced cancellation of its 4th of July Parade, as well as its July Fourth festival and fireworks display, the county’s largest. The city also has opted to cancel its summer Movies in the Park and summer Scotts Valley Police Department Jr. Police Academy events. World's Shortest 4th of July Parade in Aptos has also been announced as canceled in 2020.
Here are a few updates and resources on 4th of July, 2020.
Fun 2020 Virtual Events To Partake In!
Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade (virtual event 2020)
This year, you can enjoy an online parade with floats, music, and community messages, compiled from the videos from the locals. In other years, the 4th of July brings clouds of people to Boulder Creek to enjoy Independence Day activities. Whatever you can imagine, everything is here for you and your family: a famous pancake breakfast, a swimming hole, BBQ, music, vendors, beer & wine, and of course, the not to be missed free parade downtown. During the show, you will witness marching bands, engines, floats, horses, fancy automobiles, historical reenactments, local heroes, and much more. We promise that Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade will leave a lasting impression.'
Santa Cruz Firecracker Race (virtual run; July 1–14, 2020)
Start celebrating the Independence of America by running the Santa Cruz Firecracker 10K or 5K. This running event has been a 4th of July tradition in Santa Cruz since 1985 and includes a 1K run for kids as well. The run starts from Harvey West Park and you must be previously registered. Being the most significant annual benefit event, Firecracker races apply its proceeds to international and national charity projects. In 2020, you don't have to run on the 4th of July. Registration for all three distances (1K kids run, 5K, and 10K) closes on July 14, 2020. The virtual results for each distance will be accessible online from July 1 to July 31. Another good point is that you can do a run every day and upload your results every day. At the end of the two-week running period, you can pick your personal record as the time you want to be posted on the results page. Check for details on the Firecracker registration page.
Scotts Valley on Monday announced cancellation of its 4th of July Parade, as well as its July Fourth festival and fireworks display, the county’s largest. The city also has opted to cancel its summer Movies in the Park and summer Scotts Valley Police Department Jr. Police Academy events. World's Shortest 4th of July Parade in Aptos has also been announced as canceled in 2020.
Here are a few updates and resources on 4th of July, 2020.
- Santa Cruz Sentinel Article On 4th Of July
- Santa Cruz County During 4th Of July, 2020 Article
- Visit Santa Cruz - What You Need To Know
- Visit Santa Cruz - 10 Things You Can Do When Visiting Santa Cruz
Fun 2020 Virtual Events To Partake In!
Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade (virtual event 2020)
This year, you can enjoy an online parade with floats, music, and community messages, compiled from the videos from the locals. In other years, the 4th of July brings clouds of people to Boulder Creek to enjoy Independence Day activities. Whatever you can imagine, everything is here for you and your family: a famous pancake breakfast, a swimming hole, BBQ, music, vendors, beer & wine, and of course, the not to be missed free parade downtown. During the show, you will witness marching bands, engines, floats, horses, fancy automobiles, historical reenactments, local heroes, and much more. We promise that Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade will leave a lasting impression.'
Santa Cruz Firecracker Race (virtual run; July 1–14, 2020)
Start celebrating the Independence of America by running the Santa Cruz Firecracker 10K or 5K. This running event has been a 4th of July tradition in Santa Cruz since 1985 and includes a 1K run for kids as well. The run starts from Harvey West Park and you must be previously registered. Being the most significant annual benefit event, Firecracker races apply its proceeds to international and national charity projects. In 2020, you don't have to run on the 4th of July. Registration for all three distances (1K kids run, 5K, and 10K) closes on July 14, 2020. The virtual results for each distance will be accessible online from July 1 to July 31. Another good point is that you can do a run every day and upload your results every day. At the end of the two-week running period, you can pick your personal record as the time you want to be posted on the results page. Check for details on the Firecracker registration page.
2019
Celebrate Independence Day in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is a great place to spend Independence Day! You can fill your morning with parades, races, and pancake breakfasts at locations around the county. Looking for Santa Cruz fireworks? You can finish the day with a world-class fireworks show at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Please note that fireworks are illegal in most of the county. Have a fun and safe Santa Cruz 4th of July!
Santa Cruz County is a great place to spend Independence Day! You can fill your morning with parades, races, and pancake breakfasts at locations around the county. Looking for Santa Cruz fireworks? You can finish the day with a world-class fireworks show at Skypark in Scotts Valley. Please note that fireworks are illegal in most of the county. Have a fun and safe Santa Cruz 4th of July!
WORLD'S SHORTEST PARADE
Celebrate the 4th of July in Aptos with a Pancake Breakfast, Parade, and Party in the Park. Start your morning off with a delicious pancake breakfast. Watch the parade that begins on Wells Fargo and ends at the Bay View Hotel. After the parade, walk down to the Aptos Village Park for our Party in the Park! There will be food, vendors, music, and much more.
SCOTTS VALLEY 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Scotts Valley hosts an annual 4th of July celebration. The celebration opens with a parade along Scotts Valley Drive. Festivities continue at Skypark Park with game booths and classic Fourth of July grub -- hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and pie. There is also live music followed by fireworks. This is the only fireworks show in Santa Cruz county.
For more information, call Scotts Valley Parks and Recreation at 831-438-3251.
WILDER RANCH OLD-FASHIONED INDEPENDENCE DAY
Have a grand time enjoying the 4th with a family parade at noon, old-fashioned games, live Big-Band music, and delicious food. We'll be stepping back in time 100+ years ago to an early 1900's style Independence Day celebration including a noon family parade, games, children’s crafts area, live big-band music, living history demonstrations, historic speeches and flag-raising. To join in the old-time parade, dress up, bring an instrument or decorate a wagon, and join us by the chicken coop. The Suffragettes are sure to be there! Food and drink available for sale, or bring a picnic lunch.
FIRECRACKER 10K
Since 1985 the Firecracker 10K has been a Santa Cruz Independence Day tradition offering a thrilling start to a day of family holiday fun. This challenging course begins at Harvey West Park, winds its way up the trail into the majestic hills of Pogonip park and descends back down through Santa Cruz's beautiful upper west side neighborhoods. Each runner receives a free pass to the Pop Warner Pancake Breakfast after an awards ceremony that features medals to the top five in five-year age groups! There is a flat 5K criterium style run that makes three passes through the finish line area great for runners and walkers of all ages and even better for spectators! As always, the kids can participate in an easy going 1K fun run starting 30 minutes prior to the main event.
BOULDER CREEK FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
The annual Boulder Creek parade attracts more than 10,000 attendees every year. Join us for a fun event that the whole family will enjoy!
ROARING CAMP'S FOURTH OF JULY
Bop on over to Roaring Camp Railroad for a 1950s-style Fourth of July with a sock hop, hula-hoop contests, games, music and an all-American barbecue.
SPIRIT OF WATSONVILLE 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Join the Watsonville community for the city's annual Hometown Parade. The Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July Parade features car clubs, tractors, fire engines, antique cars, local non-profit agencies, equestrian units and the Watsonville Band. The parade starts at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Main St. and Freedom Blvd.
FREE 4TH OF JULY COMMUNITY SWIM
Cool off with the family at the 4th of July Community Swim at the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Entrance to all the pools will be free and a BBQ at the Swim Center will benefit Supporters and Helpers of Arts, Recreation and Parks. If you love swimming and BBQ’s, this event is for you! Bring your smiles, your bathing suits, and the whole family!
SAVE OUR SHORES: POLLUTION PREVENTION IS PATRIOTIC
Join Save Our Shores on July 4th to help create cleaner, safer, more beautiful beaches by distributing trash and recycling bags to the public and encouraging them to take their trash home after their fun day on the beach. On the morning of July 5th, join Save Our Shores for the Star Spangled Beach Cleanup to help stop thousands of pounds of trash and debris from polluting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
FIREWORKS ON THE BEACH
There are no fireworks shows on Santa Cruz beaches on July 4th.
Legal Fireworks
Commercial displays of fireworks require a permit. Safe and sane fireworks, that don't fly or leave the ground, maybe sold within the city limits of the City of Watsonville and maybe only ignited within the Watsonville city limits (see latest regulations). Fireworks of any kind, including safe and sane fireworks and sparklers, are illegal in all other parts of Santa Cruz County, including unincorporated areas and the beaches. Fines for illegal use of fireworks can be up to $1,000 for each illegal firework and may result in arrest. For more information on the safe, legal use of fireworks in Santa Cruz, visit the City of Watsonville website .
Pet Safety
The sound of fireworks, even small ones, can terrify your pet. There are a few things you can do to help your pet get through the Independence Day festivities. Keep them home, preferably in a safe, secure, escape-proof room. Do not leave pets outside, even in a fenced yard, anytime fireworks might be set off. It maybe legal to light off fireworks in Watsonville for a few days before and on the day after independence day, so keep your pet safe for the entire week. Set up a comfy bed, food, and water, and keep the windows and curtains closed to help muffle the noise and block bursts of light. Make sure your pet is wearing correct identification and tags just in case he or she becomes scared and runs away from home. Micro-chipping also is a great precaution. Keep your pet away from used and unused fireworks, as well as alcoholic beverages, human foods, and other Fourth of July treats since many of these items can be harmful.
Make this fourth of July holiday a safe one for you, your family, your friends, your pets, and all of Santa Cruz County.
Celebrate the 4th of July in Aptos with a Pancake Breakfast, Parade, and Party in the Park. Start your morning off with a delicious pancake breakfast. Watch the parade that begins on Wells Fargo and ends at the Bay View Hotel. After the parade, walk down to the Aptos Village Park for our Party in the Park! There will be food, vendors, music, and much more.
SCOTTS VALLEY 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Scotts Valley hosts an annual 4th of July celebration. The celebration opens with a parade along Scotts Valley Drive. Festivities continue at Skypark Park with game booths and classic Fourth of July grub -- hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and pie. There is also live music followed by fireworks. This is the only fireworks show in Santa Cruz county.
For more information, call Scotts Valley Parks and Recreation at 831-438-3251.
WILDER RANCH OLD-FASHIONED INDEPENDENCE DAY
Have a grand time enjoying the 4th with a family parade at noon, old-fashioned games, live Big-Band music, and delicious food. We'll be stepping back in time 100+ years ago to an early 1900's style Independence Day celebration including a noon family parade, games, children’s crafts area, live big-band music, living history demonstrations, historic speeches and flag-raising. To join in the old-time parade, dress up, bring an instrument or decorate a wagon, and join us by the chicken coop. The Suffragettes are sure to be there! Food and drink available for sale, or bring a picnic lunch.
FIRECRACKER 10K
Since 1985 the Firecracker 10K has been a Santa Cruz Independence Day tradition offering a thrilling start to a day of family holiday fun. This challenging course begins at Harvey West Park, winds its way up the trail into the majestic hills of Pogonip park and descends back down through Santa Cruz's beautiful upper west side neighborhoods. Each runner receives a free pass to the Pop Warner Pancake Breakfast after an awards ceremony that features medals to the top five in five-year age groups! There is a flat 5K criterium style run that makes three passes through the finish line area great for runners and walkers of all ages and even better for spectators! As always, the kids can participate in an easy going 1K fun run starting 30 minutes prior to the main event.
BOULDER CREEK FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
The annual Boulder Creek parade attracts more than 10,000 attendees every year. Join us for a fun event that the whole family will enjoy!
ROARING CAMP'S FOURTH OF JULY
Bop on over to Roaring Camp Railroad for a 1950s-style Fourth of July with a sock hop, hula-hoop contests, games, music and an all-American barbecue.
SPIRIT OF WATSONVILLE 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Join the Watsonville community for the city's annual Hometown Parade. The Spirit of Watsonville 4th of July Parade features car clubs, tractors, fire engines, antique cars, local non-profit agencies, equestrian units and the Watsonville Band. The parade starts at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Main St. and Freedom Blvd.
FREE 4TH OF JULY COMMUNITY SWIM
Cool off with the family at the 4th of July Community Swim at the Simpkins Family Swim Center. Entrance to all the pools will be free and a BBQ at the Swim Center will benefit Supporters and Helpers of Arts, Recreation and Parks. If you love swimming and BBQ’s, this event is for you! Bring your smiles, your bathing suits, and the whole family!
SAVE OUR SHORES: POLLUTION PREVENTION IS PATRIOTIC
Join Save Our Shores on July 4th to help create cleaner, safer, more beautiful beaches by distributing trash and recycling bags to the public and encouraging them to take their trash home after their fun day on the beach. On the morning of July 5th, join Save Our Shores for the Star Spangled Beach Cleanup to help stop thousands of pounds of trash and debris from polluting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
FIREWORKS ON THE BEACH
There are no fireworks shows on Santa Cruz beaches on July 4th.
Legal Fireworks
Commercial displays of fireworks require a permit. Safe and sane fireworks, that don't fly or leave the ground, maybe sold within the city limits of the City of Watsonville and maybe only ignited within the Watsonville city limits (see latest regulations). Fireworks of any kind, including safe and sane fireworks and sparklers, are illegal in all other parts of Santa Cruz County, including unincorporated areas and the beaches. Fines for illegal use of fireworks can be up to $1,000 for each illegal firework and may result in arrest. For more information on the safe, legal use of fireworks in Santa Cruz, visit the City of Watsonville website .
Pet Safety
The sound of fireworks, even small ones, can terrify your pet. There are a few things you can do to help your pet get through the Independence Day festivities. Keep them home, preferably in a safe, secure, escape-proof room. Do not leave pets outside, even in a fenced yard, anytime fireworks might be set off. It maybe legal to light off fireworks in Watsonville for a few days before and on the day after independence day, so keep your pet safe for the entire week. Set up a comfy bed, food, and water, and keep the windows and curtains closed to help muffle the noise and block bursts of light. Make sure your pet is wearing correct identification and tags just in case he or she becomes scared and runs away from home. Micro-chipping also is a great precaution. Keep your pet away from used and unused fireworks, as well as alcoholic beverages, human foods, and other Fourth of July treats since many of these items can be harmful.
Make this fourth of July holiday a safe one for you, your family, your friends, your pets, and all of Santa Cruz County.