Happy Thursday, Valley Hoppers!

It’s going to be an explosive weekend in the 209 (couldn’t help it 😆 ) and naturally, mellow on the events end. So, we’re going to run this issue a little different.

First, you’ll find a full rundown of all of the best fireworks, parades and festivities around the valley, laid out to help you to plan your weekend in full.

Second, we've got something fun rolling out all July: three giveaways across three 209 cities, one after another. How to enter (and what's up for grabs) drops in next Thursday's issue!

Happy 250th everyone.
🐰🇺🇸

Stanislaus County Fair kicks off July 10 - 19th
And later in the month we have the 2026 WWE Summer Tour!

Independence Day Parade + Roadsters Fireworks
Location: Parade in downtown Modesto; baseball fireworks at Modern Woodmen Field (formerly John Thurman Field), 601 Neece Dr
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Downtown parade starts 9:30 AM; Roadsters vs. Oakland Ballers, Fri July 3 first pitch 7:11 PM with fireworks after (gates 6 PM); holiday game July 4 at 2:50 PM
Fireworks Note: The Roadsters also have postgame fireworks after the Friday, July 3 game
Admission: Parade is free; baseball fireworks require a game ticket.

4th of July at Lodi Lake
Location: Lodi Lake Park, 1101 W Turner Rd
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 7–11 AM; main public celebration starts 4 PM; fireworks shortly after sunset, roughly 8:30–9 PM
Parade: No verified 2026 Lodi parade found; the morning event is the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
Admission: Public celebration is free; pancake breakfast, beach, and boathouse reservations are separate.

4th of July Parade, Festival + Fireworks
Location: Parade downtown; festival and fireworks at Weber Point Events Center
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Parade 10 AM; festival gates open 5 PM; Latin Magic 5:30 PM; Stockton Symphony 8 PM; fireworks around 9:30 PM
Parade Route: Starts at DeCarli Plaza, heads north on El Dorado, west on Oak, south on Center, and ends near Weber Point
Admission: Free.

4th of July Parade + Fireworks Show

Location: Parade in Downtown Tracy; fireworks at Legacy Fields Sports Complex, 4901 N Tracy Blvd
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Parade 10 AM–1 PM; fireworks event 6–10 PM
Parade: Starts at 10 AM on 10th Street and ends at Front Street Plaza, with kids activities, food, and music afterward
Fireworks: Tracy Chamber fireworks show at Legacy Fields, with music, food, activities, entertainment, and fireworks
Admission: Parade is free; fireworks event is ticketed — general admission listed at $30
Note: Fireworks gates open at 6 PM; no in-and-outs; lawn chairs and blankets encouraged.

250 Years of Liberty Parade + City Fireworks
Location: Parade along Yosemite Avenue downtown; fireworks launched near Big League Dreams
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Rotary breakfast 7–10 AM at Deaf Puppy Comedy Club; Sunrise Kiwanis parade 10 AM; fireworks around 9:30 PM
Parade Route: Yosemite Avenue between Library Park and Garfield Avenue near Manteca High
Admission: Parade and fireworks are free to view; breakfast is $10
Viewing Notes: Recommended fireworks viewing parks include Bella Vista, Dutra Estates, Dutra Estates Mini, Dutra Southeast, Kevin O’Neill, and Roberts Estates. Great Wolf Lodge parking will not be available for fireworks viewing.

Fireworks Show at Woodward Reservoir
Location: Woodward Reservoir, north of Oakdale
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Fireworks around 9:30 PM
Parade: No verified Oakdale-specific July 4 parade found for 2026
Admission: $40 per vehicle; first-come, first-served; no presale tickets; no walk-ins, no in-and-out privileges, and no parking along the reservoir perimeter.

Independence Day Celebration

Location: City Hall, Downtown Galt / 4th Street Promenade, Veterans Field, and Gora Aquatic Center
Date: Saturday, July 4
Hours: Full-day celebration 8 AM–10 PM
Parade: Independence Day Parade at 9:30 AM
Fireworks: Veterans Field, 900 Caroline Ave; gates open 6 PM; North Forty Country performs; fireworks start 9:30 PM
Also Happening: Officer Kevin Tonn Memorial 5K Run/Walk at 8 AM, Saturday Market at 9 AM, live music and Family Fun Zone at 6 PM, Fireworks in the Pool at 7 PM
Admission: Main fireworks admission not listed; Fireworks in the Pool is paid/pre-registration only — first 300 people, $35 for 4 or $10 for 1

Downtown Turlock Independence Celebration
Location: Parade on West Main Street / downtown Turlock; festival and fireworks at Stanislaus County Fairgrounds
Date: Friday, July 3, with a classic car show Saturday, July 4
Hours: July 3 parade 6:30 PM; fairgrounds celebration follows; live music 7:30 PM; fireworks at dusk / around 9:30 PM
July 4 Add-On: Classic Car Show + Market runs 8 AM–1 PM, with awards at 12:30 PM
Admission / Parking: Event admission appears free; fairgrounds west lot parking is $10 cash.

City Birthday Celebration (Wednesday, July 1)
As we mentioned in last week's issue, Lathrop got the holiday stretch started early this year with its City Birthday Celebration and fireworks on July 1.
If you made it out, we hope it was a good one!

No Verified Public Aerial Show Found
Location: Ripon has local Safe & Sane fireworks booth activity, but no verified 2026 public aerial fireworks show or July 4 parade found
Best Nearby Options: Manteca city fireworks, Woodward Reservoir, or Modesto depending on preference and which side of town you’re coming from.

No Verified City Fireworks Found
Location: No official Riverbank July 4 parade/fireworks listing found on the city’s current event pages
Best Nearby Options: Modesto parade/baseball fireworks or Woodward Reservoir