RIPON — Ripon’s old-fashioned July 4th is the theme of a five-day-long festival.

The SWAT team armored car, the powered parachute and scores of other police equipment along with the city’s police force will be on display Friday afternoon in front of Ripon city hall as part of the July 4th community-wide celebration.

First Sergeant Steve Merchant added that the display will include the DUI enforcement trailer, the city’s motorcycle unit and the Volunteers in Police Services force and vehicles. He said that officers and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions from the public.

Tours of the police department and of city hall are scheduled to be offered from 1 until 4 p.m. Tours of the fire department facilities and its equipment are set for the same three-hour period, he said. California Rock Crushers will be giving tours at their facilities throughout the day at 339 Doak Boulevard.

Sgt. Merchant said the police department is gearing up for the holiday weekend planning to use both ground and air units to guarantee a safe and sane July 4th. Streets to be closed off during the Monday night fireworks display include Acacia Avenue in front of the high school, Pine Street and the pedestrian overcrossing above Highway 99.

The aerial displays will be launched from the high school’s Stouffer Football Field as members of the community are concluding their old-fashioned picnics on the Ripon Elementary School turf on Main Street.

Wednesday saw the community celebrate Kids’ Day. Senior Day is set for today and Friday has been coined Citizens’ Day. Military Day is on Saturday and Patriotic Day will be on Sunday July 3.

Along with the “Old Fashioned Fourth, ” a non-motorized parade will march down Main Street from the arch on Stockton Avenue to the other on Main and Vera streets prior to the fireworks display.

The parade registration begins at 5 p.m. with the start time set for 6. Entrants eight years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Those planning to be in the line of march may register on Nourse Avenue across from the downtown car wash.

The Chamber of Commerce suggests that entries should be decorated for the event including bikes, scooter, skateboard, wheelchairs, wagons, and strollers. After the parade, more of a family atmosphere is on tap. A bounce house, food and music will be provided by the Kid Red Entertainment on the Ripon Elementary School lawn on Main Street.

“Be sure to bring your lawn chairs for a front row seat to the fireworks beginning at 9:15,” suggests chamber director Dorothy Booth.