Friday, Jun. 27, 2008

July 4 activities revealed

Highlights include singing, fireworks

Los Baños will celebrate the nation's independence next Friday at the annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration.

"It's going to be hot,that's the highlight" said David Bond, the event's organizer of the temperature and the schedule.

The fireworks will begin just after sundown at 9 p.m. but Bond encourages community members to come out to the Los Baños Fairgrounds early and take advantage of all the event has to offer.

This year the local children's performance group SHOUT! Arts will provide entertainment that is a little out of the box as far as Independence Day festivities go.

Rather than sing typical songs heard at Fourth of July events like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" SHOUT! Arts Director Monica Anderson said they will honor independence and the country with traditionally American music.

"What is more American than rock 'n' roll," Anderson said of the performances.

Local rock 'n' roll band Velcro by Design and an acoustic guitarist will perform from 4-6 p.m. Singing phenom Carmen Morales will also take the stage and as Anderson puts it "she sings and people stop in their tracks."

There will also be a karaoke contest with prizes from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for those who would rather take the entertainment into their own hands.

"A lot of the songs are about independence so there appears to be an ongoing theme," Anderson said.

This year the bucket brigade will be suspended since a majority of Los Baños Fire Department firefighters, which are the main competitors in the event, have been called away to other parts of California to assist with the wildfires.

Bond encourages everyone to attend the performances which will be a warm-up to the main event, the fireworks spectacular scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Bond said the fireworks show will not be as big as last year's because 2007 was the city's 100th birthday and more money was made available the event but it will still have pizazz.

"It will be low-key and it's something to do," he said.

Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com

Enterprise reporter Minerva Perez can be reached by phone at (209)388-6565 or by e-mail at mperez@losbanosenterprise.com