Are you Looking for a way to celebrate the 4th of July in Rancho Cucamonga?
Oh my gosh, there are so many fun things to do in Rancho Cucamonga on the 4th of July this year - I don't know how I'm going to choose!
For starters, Saturdays mean Fireworks at The Epicenter in 2010 where fans will enjoy a post-game Fireworks Extravaganza after each of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes' 11 Saturday home games. On a fun side note, there will also be Season Finale Fireworks on September 2nd at the Epicenter.
There is also the an all-day event at the Auto Club Speedway in nearby Fontana that begins with a Car Cruise and the Stars & Pipes Motorcycle ride and concludes with a gigantic fireworks spectacular (which, as usual, promises to be the biggest show in the Inland Empire)! Check out my earlier post on this 4th of July event -http://activerain.com/blogsview/1700765/red-white-and-cruise-in-rancho-cucamonga-for-the-4th-of-july-
There's a 4th of July event for everyone in the family from various activity zones (Kids Zone, a Patriot Zone), a classic car show, live music (rock, jazz, oldies, country), Freestyle Motocross demos, community parade, vendors and so much more!
Another great 4th of July idea (and this one's free!) is to head over to Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. They have the huge outdoor water fountain the kids can run through and cool off and there's the Cultural Center, which is cool and relaxed and offers free wireless (the whole mall offers it, but the Cultural Center seems to have the best signal)
The stores are great at the mall too of course, don't forget all the great restaurants to choose from - so consider checking out Victoria Gardens this Independence Day weekend.
There are several spectacular 4th of July fireworks shows within driving distance of Rancho Cucamonga. Thinking about celebrating the 4th of July in Upland? The City of Upland fireworks are being held at the Upland High School football stadium. Their show begins at 9:00pm.
There's also a neat spot where you can catch a dozen 4th of July fireworks shows all at the same time. Behind the Colonies Crossroads shopping center right on the border of Rancho Cucamonga and Upland - there's a small area overlooking a man-made lake. From there you can see numerous fireworks shows all at different distances, none of them very close but still a really neat experience if you're looking for something more private, convenient and FREE.
No matter what you choose, with all of this excitement going on in our community - staying home won't even be an option!
If you're celebrating this Independence Day with family and friends in the neighboring cities of Fontana or Rialto where Safe and Sane fireworks are still legal, I would like to point out that safety should be uppermost on your mind this 4th of July holiday weekend. With that in mind, here are a few 4th of July Safety Tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety:
- A responsible adult should supervise all fireworks activities.
- Never give fireworks to young children.
- Always purchase fireworks from reliable sources.
- Follow label directions carefully.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from buildings and vehicles.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them in metal or glass containers.
- Light them one at a time then move back quickly.
- Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
- Observe local laws and use common sense.
- Sparklers, fountains and other items that many states allow for use by consumers are not appropriate when a large crowd is present.
- If attending a community display, leave your own fireworks at home -- there will be plenty of excitement provided by the display.
I would like to add to this list, from prior experience, make sure to have a bucket of water and a first aid kit on hand just in case. The saying "Better safe than sorry" is popular for a reason! :-)
Remember - Don't engage in illegal Fireworks! Illegal Fireworks are "any fireworks that explode, rises in the air or moves about the ground or any fireworks which are not approved and labeled "Safe and Sane" by the State Fire Marshall" These fireworks are illegal in California and carry very stiff fines ranging from $2,500 - $10,000.
On a more solemn note, I got this absolutely touching poem in an email and I really wanted to share it with all of you:
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform;
so young, so tall, so proud.
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
he'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil;
how many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant 'Amen.'
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
We must never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have.
Please stop for a moment
and say a prayer for our servicemen
who are protecting our Country and our Freedom.
Thanks to them and their sacrifices, we can celebrate this 4th of July.
Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday!
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