Tens of thousands expected at Fourth of July celebration

By Cameron Macdonald
Citizen Staff Writer

The Elk Grove Regional Park will have explosions in the sky and an explosion of people on the grass this Fourth of July.
The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 11th annual Salute to the Red, White and Blue celebration.
“It’s a wonderful event for the family to come out and have a day in the park,” said Paula Schroeder, the chamber’s vice president. “To top it off we have a great fireworks display.”
The half-hour fireworks show by Pyro Spectacular will commence over the heads of onlookers at the park around 9:45 p.m.
As tradition holds, there will be a musical soundtrack and narration about the holiday’s significance that will play during the fireworks display. The fireworks are often lit in the rhythm to the music and previous shows had patriotic symbols like the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence ignited in streaming colors.
Keep an eye out for a large sign that reads, “Elk Grove” that is written in dozens of sparklers.
The 2005 celebration had a moment were nearly 15 veterans, including a navy commander, were walked onto the music stage to a standing ovation
Schroeder said that the celebration in the park begins at 3 p.m., where there will be food and various merchants selling goods. The food court will include standard fair food like pizza, hot dogs, and popcorn.
Early birds who want to secure comfortable spots for their cars and picnic blankets should note that gates to the park open at 6 a.m.
Schroeder said that the event itself is free, but there is a $10 parking fee for drivers on the park grounds. She mentioned that the parking lot has been expanded.
A large crowd is expected, given that 20,000 to 30,000 people came to the park last year, Schroeder said.
“We don’t expect it to decrease,” she said about the crowd.
Music will begin at 5 p.m. where the bands include last year’s hit, Bucho and other acts that will play classic rock covers and salsa.
Schroeder mentioned that there will be a live radio broadcast at the park from 3 to 5 p.m. by oldies station K-Hits 92.1 FM.
There will also be Hawaiian dancers, she said.
The event’s major sponsors include the Cosumnes Community Services District, Wal-Mart, the Methodist Hospital, and the Elk Grove Auto Mall.
“It’s a celebration for the freedoms that we have, that were hard-earned and we continue to work for those freedoms,” Chamber Executive Director Janet Toppenberg previously told the Citizen. “This (event) should be a good reminder of how important they are to stop and think about.”
The Elk Grove Regional Park is located at 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road and is next door to Elk Grove High School.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the Citizen's Red, White, and Blue special section on June 27.