America has a big birthday coming up, and Turlock wants to celebrate in a big way.

The 2026 Downtown Turlock Independence Day Celebration – commemorating the 250th anniversary of the 13 American colonies declaring their independence from Great Britain – could see the return of a fireworks display if all goes according to plan.

“We heard the community, and we want to make this happen,” said Travis Regalo, executive director of the Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association. “And we’re looking for more community partners. We need the community’s support and help to pull it off.”

The fireworks show has been canceled multiple times in the past due to economic hardship.

After running the celebration for 24 years, the California State University, Stanislaus announced in April 2009 that it would no longer be able to host the annual fireworks show due to lack sponsors.

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce and the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds carried the torch for a few years, before former Stanislaus State President Joseph Sheley reinstituted the fireworks show at the campus in 2015. The event was again shelved after the 2018 show, which typically drew a crowd of more than 10,000 people.

“I’ve lived here and went to the fireworks show every year that they had one, and I remember how wonderful it was for the community to have a free event like that,” said Allie Jeffery, executive director of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce. “I really hope we can do that again. The chamber is looking into all the possibilities to bring back this long-desired event, and we’re open to having conversations with anybody who wants to help make this happen.”

For the past few years, the downtown event has included a parade, a classic car show, and a drone show, in lieu of fireworks.

But organizers are thinking bigger for America’s big bash.

“Our goal is to create a celebration that brings thousands of families together and reminds everyone why Independence Day traditions matter so much to our community,” said Regalo.

In addition to looking for sponsors, organizers are taking nominations for grand marshal.

The annual downtown parade will take place on July 3, with the car show and potential fireworks display taking place on July 4, which falls on a Saturday this year.

The parade will begin with opening ceremonies honoring local veterans and active-duty military, followed by a patriotic procession of floats, and bands, down Main Street.

The car show will feature restored classic cars, right along with the Turlock Certified Farms Market and the maker’s market on either side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

For information on how to donate to the 4th of July celebration, contact the Turlock Downtown Property Owners’ Association at 209-634-6459.