Rancho Bernardo’s Fourth of July to offer all-day fun

Rancho Bernardo’s 47-year-old Independence Day tradition will continue Monday when the community holds its all-day celebration.

More details on each of the events can be found in the Spirit of the Fourth program included in this newspaper. Details can also be found at SpiritoftheFourth.org. Here are some of the highlights.

Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. in Webb Park with the admission-free community fair. The park is accessible from Avena Place. The fair will include a wide variety of activities for two- and four-legged locals of all ages.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Council is hosting its sixth annual Larry Himmel Patriotic Pet Contest, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. near the main stage in the park. Any pet may be entered, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits and hamsters. They will be awarded prizes based on their costumes that demonstrate their patriotism and all entered pets will receive a goodie bag.

Local veterans will start their patriotic ceremony at the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial at 10:45 a.m. Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs due to limited seating near the memorial in the park.

At 1:30 p.m. look for the rubber ducks bobbing along Webb Lake. Whoever owns the first duck to float across the finish line will win $500. The winner need not be present. Ducks can be purchased for $5 or six for $25. To purchase in advance, contact Joyce McIntyre at 858-451-3406 or Joyce@RBBAconnect.com by midnight this Sunday. Or buy a duck on Monday before the race at a booth near the lake. The contest is sponsored by the Rancho Bernardo Business Association.

There will also be other entertainment in the park until 2:30 p.m. Among the offerings will be the 12th annual Wheels of Freedom Motor Show sponsored by the Poway Cruisers (this closes at 2 p.m. and will be held in an adjacent parking lot), games and activities for children, an art walk, the Quilts of Valor quilt show and exhibitors. There will also be food, ice cream, beverages and other treats available for purchase.

The 47th annual Spirit of the Fourth parade will begin going through downtown Rancho Bernardo at 3:30 p.m. The route will include Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo Road and Acena Drive. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to stake out your preferred viewing location.

The parade will feature marching bands, kids on bicycles, dignitaries and community groups. This year’s theme is “Women in the Military.” Serving as parade grand marshal will be retired Air Force Capt. Vicki Nenner.

In the evening, view the fireworks show from Bernardo Heights Middle School, 12990 Paseo Lucido. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks will launch at 9 p.m. While waiting, attendees will be entertained by The US Band, which mostly consists of Rancho Bernardo and Poway residents. There will also be food truck vendors selling a variety of treats.

The suggested donation to view the fireworks from the school is $10 per person or $20 per family. Credit cards will be accepted. There will be open seating on the grass, so attendees are advised to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free parking will be available in the Rancho Bernardo High School student lot accessible from Avenida Venusto.