Manteca is getting a jump on celebrating Independence Day this year as the city’s official celebration has been shifted to Friday, July 3.
That includes everything from the traditional Manteca Kiwanis pancake breakfast along with the Sunrise Kiwanis Independence Day parade to a family-style celebration at the Big League Dreams sports complex topped off by aerial fireworks.
The shift was made by city officials to avoid having to have extra police, streets crews and firefighters on duty during the Fourth of July date that would be paid holiday plus overtime pay and could have added $10,000 in costs to the general fund.
So far the city has managed to whittle down all but $2 million to $3 million of the original projected $11.3 million deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1.
The event at the BLD celebration will run from 4 to 10:30 p.m. This family oriented event is expected to attract 8,000 to 10,000 people from Manteca and the surrounding area. There will be a minimal admission fee of $2 for adults, $1 for teens 13 - 17, while children 12 and under are free. This event is one of the premier Independence Day events in the area. There will be live entertainment featuring community talent, children’s activities, softball games, home run derby as well as food and fun.
Aerial fireworks will go off shortly after 9 p.m.
Part of the nearly $20,000 tab the city incurs for staging the event will be raised by off-duty members of the Manteca Police Officers Association manning their fireworks booth at Union Road and Yosemite Avenue. They set aside at least 40 percent of their net proceeds to help pay for the aerial fireworks.
The Manteca Chamber of Commerce’s Flags Over Manteca will still place 2,400 flags along the streets on Saturday, July 4. The chamber, though, is short of volunteers.
If you would like to help volunteer, call the chamber at 823-6121.
The chamber also has applications for the parade on July 3 that is being sponsored by the Sunrise Kiwanis.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
