Celebrate Independence Day at These First District Festivals

On Monday, our nation will gather to celebrate Independence Day. Here in the First District, a number of community events, ranging from fireworks displays to 5Ks, are planned to honor the occasion. Here are a few:

• Victorville's 4th of July Freedom Festival will take place from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. July 4 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. This free event is the biggest fireworks show in the High Desert, and will be accompanied by patriotic music simulcast on Kat Country 100.7 FM. The fireworks show, presented by the City of Victorville, will start around 9 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at 14800 7th Street, Victorville. For more information, call 760-955-5000.
• Apple Valley’s 24th Annual Fourth of July Freedom Festival will take place from 2-9 p.m. July 4 at Lenny Brewster Sports Center. Enjoy activities, food, vendors and a beer garden. Live music will be provided by Wally Pride from 2-4:30 p.m. and Charlie’s Angels Band from 6:30-9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m., simulcast by Y-102 radio. Entrance and parking is free. Lenny Brewster Sports Center is located at 21024 Otoe Rd. In Apple Valley. For more information, please call 760-240-7880.
• The 25th Annual Fireworks Spectacular will take place at 5 p.m. July 4 at Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark. Enjoy live music from Carol-Lyn’s All Stars, bounce houses, inflatable waterslides and other activities. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and will be simulcast in the Sportspark and on KDUC 94.3 and 102.5 FM. There is no public parking for the fireworks show. Victor Valley Transit Authority will provide free bus services on the “Firecracker Express” to and from the event. Pickups will be offered at four locations at Dana Park, Stringham (Pitcher) Park, Barstow Jr. High and Barstow Community College. Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark is located at 2800 Mayor Katy Pkwy, Barstow. For more information, please call 760-256-5617. 
• A free Fourth of July 5k Run/Walk will take place at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark on Monday in Barstow. Registration will begin at 7 a.m and the 5k Run/Walk will start at 7:30 a.m. Public parking is available at the Sportspark during the 5K Run/Walk. Pre-register online. For more information, please call 760-256-5617. 
• Mountain View Baptist Church in Hesperia is hosting an Independence Day Patriotic Event on July 3. The community is invited to attend this special event, which will include a BBQ, games and other activities. Guests are invited to wear their red, white and blue. There will also be a speech competition in which folks will be presenting their favorite famous American patriotic speeches. In the past, guests have recited Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give me Death," and other speeches. The church is located at 15131 Sequoia St, Hesperia. For more information, please call (760) 244-0770.
• The annual Apple Valley Firecracker Run will take place on Saturday, July 2, at Brewster Park. Check-in is at 6 a.m. and the race starts at 7 a.m. Pre-registration ends Thursday, June 30. Entry is $21 until June 30, then $25 on the day of the race. Brewster Park is located at 21024 Otoe Rd., Apple Valley. Register here.

Please remember that fireworks, including “safe and sane” items, are illegal in most of San Bernardino County and on all Bureau of Land Management public lands. Here in the First District, “Safe and Sane” fireworks are only allowed in City of Adelanto. To report illegal fireworks, call 760-956-5001 or click here. Victorville residents can report illegal fireworks anonymously here. Be sure to include the date, time, and specific location of the alleged activity. Photos and videos of incidents will aid in the investigation.

As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, please remember that fireworks can cause great distress to both pets and our military Veterans. Often, the loud pops remind combat Veterans of traumatic experiences they had on the battlefield, and one in five dogs go missing due to the explosive sounds. Please be considerate of our Veterans and four-legged neighbors when celebrating.

Happy Fourth!