Rancho Bernardo’s Spirit of the Fourth needs parade entrants, money

Planning for Rancho Bernardo’s Fourth of July festivities is well underway, but community contributions and participation are needed to make them a success.

The 54th annual Spirit of the Fourth parade, along with a community fair and fireworks show are scheduled. Each event draws thousands of attendees.

“The costs have gone up 20 percent from last year,” said Myrna Estremera, Spirit of the Fourth’s first vice president. She said these expenses include renting equipment, security and the festivities’ largest expense — the fireworks show.

“It used to cost us $60,000 to $65,000 for everything, but this year it is $80,000 to $85,000,” she said. “We are hoping that between the Freedom Club, passing the bucket and Venmo at the fireworks people will be generous in covering the costs.”

The Spirit of the Fourth Committee is also applying for grants and seeking sponsorships from local businesses and organizations, she said. If all the money is not raised by the holiday, she said additional fundraisers will have to be held after the Fourth of July in order to pay all the bills.

“We hope to not have to deplete the reserves like we had to do in 2016,” Estremera said, referencing the financial situation the committee found itself in that year. By cutting back on some events and aggressive fundraising efforts, the all-volunteer group was able to rebuild its reserve fund that is often needed to pay for some expenses months in advance.

“We gave a 50 percent deposit for the fireworks in March,” she said.

One of the ways residents can support the festivities is by joining the Freedom Club with a $150 donation, she said. In exchange, members receive preferential parking and seating for the parade and fireworks, tickets to the VIP reception held right before the parade and invitations to any other Freedom Club events. Details are at spiritofthefourth.org/freedom-club.

Rancho Bernardo’s oldest event on July 4 — the 54th annual parade — is returning that afternoon. The theme is “The Sounds of Freedom” and the grand marshal will be Lisa Friedrichs. This month she is retiring after teaching vocal music at Rancho Bernardo High School for 29 years.

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society entered its horse-drawn mud wagon in the 2019 Spirit of the Fourth Parade.

(Courtesy - Spirit of the Fourth)

The parade is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m., starting on Acena Drive at Obispo Road. It will travel north along Acena Drive, then west along Rancho Bernardo Road, turn south to travel along Bernardo Center Drive and conclude by going east on Lomica Drive. Locals are welcome to sit along the street curbs along the route.

There is no fee to enter the parade. Community groups, businesses and other entities are encouraged to participate by creating a float, having members ride on a flat bed truck or march. Estremera said the Del Norte, Mt. Carmel, Poway, Rancho Bernardo and Westview high school marching bands will be among participants.

Locals who own a convertible and are willing to drive it in the parade with VIPs — such as elected officials, community volunteers and pageant queens — are needed.

Forms to register parade entrants or to volunteer a convertible are at tinyurl.com/SOTF23-parade. The parade entry deadline is June 30.

The community fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July in Webb Park. It will include the Larry Himmel Patriotic Pet Contest at 9:30 a.m. (it is free to enter a costumed pet), a veterans memorial service at 10:45 a.m. and performance by the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus at 11:30 a.m. Other fair festivities will include children’s activities, craft and community organization booths, food for purchase, the Quilts of Valor display and Wheels of Freedom motor show.

Those who would like to have a vendor booth at the fair have until June 20 to apply. Nonprofit organizations can have a free booth, while information-only booths are $40 and non-food sales booths are $50. The fee for food sale booths and food trucks is $75 for day only, $100 for evening only and $150 for day and evening events. There is an extra $35 fee for booths that need electric power. The application form is at spiritofthefourth.org/vendors.

There is no fee to enter a vehicle in the Wheels of Freedom Motor Show, but space is limited to the first 130 registered vehicles, which must be in place by 7 a.m. on July 4. There will be “Award of Excellence” trophies presented, along with trophies for “Best Decorated Car or Truck,” “Best of the Poway Cruisers” and “Best of Show.” The registration form is at tinyurl.com/SOTF23-wheels.

The evening entertainment will include music performances prior to the 9 p.m. fireworks show viewable from Bernardo Heights Middle School’s athletic field. At 6 p.m. the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will perform, followed by Santino & Friends at 7 p.m. and Wookie Garcia at 8 p.m.

Those coming to see the fireworks are advised to bring blankets and lawn chairs for grass seating. The suggested donation to enter is $10 per person or $20 per family. There will also be patriotic merchandise, food and other refreshments available for purchase. Free parking is in the RB High student lot off Avenida Venusto.

In addition to participants and donations, volunteers are needed throughout the festivities. For more event details, to donate or volunteer, visit spiritofthefourth.org.