The forecast calls for 101 degrees in Manteca on the Fourth of July.

 That means you may get a tad warm watching the  Manteca Fourth of July parade that starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday,  July 4, and travels down Main Street from Golden West School and then on Center Street to Library Park.

No problem. Manteca firefighters will be putting out the proverbial fire.

The popular Fourth of July tradition feature firefighters bringing up the rear of the parade with a hose cart will return. Firefighters manually pull the cart to the nearest hydrant, couple the hose, and unravel a dozen or so feet. Meanwhile scores of youngsters and young at heart alike rush onto the hot Main Street and Center Street asphalt. Their efforts are rewarded with a fire hose delivering an impromptu Fourth of July street shower.

A hundred entries are expected for this year’s Manteca Fourth of July parade dubbed “Faith, Freedom & Family.” The parade is sponsored by the Sunrise Kiwanis.

There are no entry fees — except for horses — for the parade sponsored by the Sunrise Kiwanis. It is one of the many community projects that the service organization’s annual Pumpkin Fair in downtown Manteca makes possible.

The parade check-in and staging area will be at North Main Street and Jason Avenue between Rite Aid and Fagundes Meats.  Staging will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.

Any questions or applications, contact Brian Mills at 209.288.4979, or get the entry form at www.sunrisekiwanis.org and click on ‘Downloads/Forms’, then click on ‘Manteca Independence Day Parade Form’, or you can pick them up at the Manteca Chamber of Commerce or the Golden Valley Credit Union on Center Street.



Pancake breakfast

Manteca Noon Kiwanis will once again serve their Pancake Breakfast at Angelano’s from 7 to 11 a.m. The restaurant is located at the parade staging area in the commercial complex anchored by 24 Hour Fitness.  The cost for adults is $7 and children $4. The menu consists of pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, juice, milk and coffee. 



Community celebration

& aerial fireworks

The City of Manteca’s 2012 Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show is July 4 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Big League Dreams, 1077 Milo Candini Drive. Gates open at 5 p.m. Fireworks will get underway at 9:45 p.m.

 Fireworks will be launched from the wastewater treatment plant. The best viewing is from inside BLD. Admission is $2 for teens and adults ages 13 and up. Admission for children 12 and under is free. The celebration features children’s activities, vendor booths, live family entertainment and aerial fireworks.

The event includes a kids’ zone on the Polo Grounds replica field with access to rides and other activities for kids 12 and under.  There is a $2 per youth charge.