It’s going to be extra hot on the Fourth of July but Manteca officials have no plan to cancel or scale back planned activities.

City Manager Karen McLaughlin indicated that was the case after several inquiries were made on the heels of the decision to cancel this week’s farmers market at Library Park because of the scorching heat and relatively high humidity coupled with stagnant air.

McLaughlin announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting the city’s events at the Big League Dreams sports complex will go on despite the mercury expected to reach 104 degrees.

Manteca Fire Chief Kirk Waters noted paramedics and emergency personnel will be on hand at the city celebration that runs from  6 to 10:30 p.m. at the BLD complex. There are also air conditioned restaurants and shade areas.

The decision to shutter the farmers market was based on the fact there wasn’t such emergency staffing on hand, there are a lot of elderly participants, and it started right when the heat of the day peaks in the 4 to 5 o’clock hour.

Temperature peaked at 110 degrees at 5:06 p.m. Tuesday based on readings on the weather station at the Manteca Civic Center. The forecast calls for 104 degree heat today and Thursday before dropping to a high of 96 degrees on Friday.

The city will have the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane, open today and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. as a cooling center for anyone regardless of age.



Parade and pancakes

Activities on the Fourth of July on Thursday start with the traditional Manteca Kiwanis Club’s pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at Angelano’s Restaurant on North Main Street.  The cost for adults is $7 and children $4.

The breakfast is by the starting point of the Independence Day parade at North Main Street and Golden West School. The Sunrise Kiwanis sponsored parade gets underway at 10 a.m. It goes south of Main Street and turns west on Center Street before dispersing at Library Park. Part of the route will be lined with some of the 2,400 flags being placed by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.



Family fun & aerial fireworks

The family fun runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday at the Big League Dreams sports complex off Daniels Street at Airport Way.

Admission is $2 for ages 13 and older while those 12 and under are free. The event features children’s activities, vendor booths, contests, family entertainment, and the annual fireworks show. Unlimited use wrist bands for jump houses and children’s rides as well as the teen zone are $2 apiece.

The aerial fireworks will take place shortly after 9 p.m. The best place to view them is inside the BLD complex where the admission is charged.