Manteca’s aerial fireworks and traditional Independence Day parade are back after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The day starts Sunday with the Manteca Kiwanis pancake breakfast that is being conducted in a drive-thru format from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane. Tickets are available at the event. Adults are $7 and $4 for children 10 and under.
The Sunrise Kiwanis are staging the Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m.
The theme this year is “Hats off to America”. The parade route starts on Jason Street across from Golden West School. It travels down Main Street to Center Street where it turns west to end at Library Park.
The City of Manteca Recreation & Community Services Department aerial fireworks will start at 9:45 p.m.
They will be launched from the wastewater treatment plant.
The optimum viewing location is from the Big League Dreams sports complex. Gates will open at 7 p.m. Admission is $2. The two BLD restaurants will be open.
Those viewing the fireworks are being advised no parking will be allowed in the Great Wolf parking lot.
That said you can park in the Costco or Stadium Retail parking lots.
The congestion will not be as severe after the fireworks this year if people leave the area using alternate routes made possible by the opening of Daniels Street to McKinley Avenue last month where there is now a three-way stop.
You can take McKinley south to Woodward Avenue and then head east once the fireworks show is over.
You can also take McKinley north and head east on Yosemite, Louise, or Lathrop to avoid the usual congestion at Airport Way and Daniels Street at the end of the show.
The city has identified six parks that provide the best viewing and are places you can take your lawn chairs and/or blankets.
*Bella Vista Park, 1580 Bella Vista Drive
*Dutra Estates Mini Park, 1523 Hearthsong Drive
*Dutra Southeast Park, 1850 Sparrowhawk Street
*Kevin O’Neill Park, 1282 Laurel Park Circle
*Roberts Estates Park, 1740 Rail Street
*Dutra Estates Park, 2701 Ancestry Street
Fireworks booths
open in Manteca,
Lathrop & Ripon
Non-profits will be selling fireworks throughout the weekend.
Carissa Grisham is among booth volunteers expected to stay busy today and on the Fourth of July.
She’s part of the Lathrop Junior Spartans, a youth football & cheer program that’s been in operation since 2001.
For the fourth straight year, the Lathrop Junior Spartans have managed to operate a fireworks booth as their major fundraiser.
This one is located at 200 E. Louise Ave., between Carl’s Junior and KFC restaurants.
“We lucked out a year ago when we were moved up after being an alternate,” said Grisham on Thursday.
Non-profits such as the Lathrop Junior Spartans will usually have back-to-back years of doing this fundraiser before yielding to another group.
As for proceeds, Grisham said the money raised from selling fireworks will go towards equipment, field cost and helping pay for those youngsters who would have trouble affording the program.
Grisham is looking forward to the weekend for sales to really pick up. “We’ve been having steady business during these past few days,” she said.
The Lathrop Junior Spartans, in addition, will conducting an all-you-can eat rib feed dinner to further help with funding for the upcoming year.
Pre-order tickets are $50 if purchased by the Fourth of July (Sunday).
For more information, call 925.784.9881 or e-mail secretary@lathropjrspartans.com.
