Sentinel staff report–
Live music, food trucks, kids activities and a 20-minute professional fireworks show will be coming to Van Maren Park on July 1, for the city’s first Stars & Stripes Celebration.
General Services Director Regina Cave told the City Council in an update on Thursday that the fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m. Fireworks will primarily be launched from the vacant field next to City Hall at the corner of Stock Ranch Road and Fountain Square Drive, along with an additional launch site near the roundabout intersection. Viewing will be from Van Maren Park, located at 6601 Thalia Way.
Cave said Stock Ranch Road at Sol Way and part of Fountain Square Drive will be closed for thru traffic, beginning at 4 p.m. Parking will be available at the nearby Community Center, Dignity Health, and the Police Department. Parking will also be available at Heights Church and the Citrus Heights Surgery Center, with a shuttle slated to pick up and drop off attendees.
With weather projected to be in the triple digits, Cave said hydration stations will be on site along with plenty of portable restrooms.
The event will be family friendly, with DJ music from 6-7 p.m., followed by the CCSeger tribute band performing live from 7-9:30 p.m. A Kids Zone will also be open from 6-9 p.m., with face painting, coloring, flower planting, bike decorating and games.
Cave said eight food trucks are lined up for the event: Dubb’s Lunchbox, Hefty’s Gyros, Kado’s Asian Grill, Kiki’s Chicken, Santacos, Daisy’s Desserts, Kona Ice and Forney’s Kettle Corn.
The City Council in January voted 3-2 to approve the use of up to $80,000 in American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief funds to be spent on the event, with costs going to cover traffic control, fireworks, performances and other related costs.
The idea of a patriotic event drew support from all council members, but concerns about the impact of the fireworks show on veterans with PTSD and pets were raised. Councilwoman Jayna Karpinski-Costa said she voted against the event “on behalf of the dogs,” while Mayor Tim Schaefer said he couldn’t support the fireworks component after hearing input from residents.
