Longtime city resident Abe Rojas will be the grand marshal for this year’s Independence Celebration June 27-28 in downtown Turlock.
“It’s quite an honor and something I really appreciate,” said Rojas, who turned 90 this year. “It’s quite an honor, and not something that I expected. But I’m very grateful. The good Lord’s been very good to me.”
Rojas was the longtime director for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, and served as a trustee for the Turlock Unified School District, and the Yosemite Community College District. He also coached baseball, basketball, and football — sports that he played during his days at Turlock High School (Class of 1953).
“I had a great love for the city that I inherited as a young man,” said Rojas, the 12th and youngest child of Apolinar and Luz Rojas. “It’s difficult to understand the reasons behind all that I did, but I owe a lot to my community for putting its trust in me.”
The festivities get underway on June 27 with a downtown parade. Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m., with the parade officially getting underway at 6:30. The parade begins at Palm and Main streets, and then makes a right on Broadway and concludes at Broadway Park. Later that evening, at 9, a drone show will be featured. Spectators are encouraged to assemble on Center Street, between Main and Olive Avenue, for the best viewing experience.
“Last year was our first year bringing the drone show to Turlock,” said Travis Regalo, executive director of the Downtown Turlock Property Owners Association. “It was completely grant-funded last year. This year, we’re about 50-50 — half grants and half sponsorships. And it’s looking like next year, if it’s something we want to continue doing, it will have to be 100 percent sponsor-funded.”
Last year, the Independence Celebration cost about $20,000, with the Melon Festival and Christmas season’s Festival of Lights costing about $15,00 apiece — a combined price tag of around $50,000
“That’s still cheaper than the traditional fireworks show in the past,” said Regalo, who mentioned that he’s already secured funding for the Melon Festival, but is still working to get funding for the Festival of Lights.”
The following day will be the Downtown Car Show, as well as the Farmers Market and Makers Market, which gets started at 8 a.m. and goes until 1 p.m.
A DTPOA panel of judges will award three car trophies: Best in Show, Best Engine, and Best Interior. Additionally, another 40 trophies will be awarded by individual sponsors to their favorite cars.
For information about supporting the drone shows, visit turlockdowntown.com, or email Regalo at director@turlockdowntown.com.
