Atwater 4th of July: Atwater Independence Day events will begin with the Run for Independence at 7:30 a.m. Friday at Ralston Park. The 2 and 5 mile fun runs go through and around the city of Atwater. The annual 4th of July parade will start at 9 a.m. at the corner of Elm and Winton Way, then left onto Broadway, left onto 3rd Street and ends at the corner of Juniper and 3rd streets. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a festival at Ralston Park complete with games, rides, vendors and food booths. For more information on the Atwater 4th of July festivities, visit: http://www.atwater4thofjuly.org/
Columbia 4th of July: Columbia State Historic Park will celebrate the nation’s birthday the old-fashioned way with many activities the 49ers enjoyed way back when. A glorious parade will make its way up Main Street starting at noon on Friday. A patriotic concert by the Great Mother Lode Brass and Reed Band, dancing in the street, and contests popular in the early days of Columbia, including the greased pole climb, egg relay race, watermelon eating, bucket brigade, cake walk, nail pounding, egg toss, and a five-way tug-of-war, will be held until 4 p.m.
Fireworks on the Water: Head to Don Pedro Lake for a spectacular Fireworks-on-the-Water show at 9:30 p.m. Friday. Parking is limited so arriving early is recommended. Fee is $40 per vehicle and $20 per vessel. For more information, visit donpedrolake.com.
Obon Festival: One time a year the small community of Cortez doubles its population. The traditionally farming town on the outskirts of Turlock in Merced County will once again invite the public to come celebrate its annual Obon Festival on Saturday. The festival will begin with a performance by Ballico Taiko, a drum group from Ballico-Cressey Elementary School District, at 6:30 p.m. July 5 in the parking lot between Cortez Hall and Cortez Buddhist Church on Cortez Avenue, between Santa Fe Drive and Linwood Avenue, southeast of Turlock. Dancing will start around 7 p.m. Stockton Bukkyo Taiko will also perform later in the evening.
Modesto Skates: The Modesto Skates group will once again host a public skate night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at Johansen High School’s tennis courts, 641 Norseman Dr. in Modesto.
