Fourth Of July Events
There are several local celebrations of Independence Day, and the Mother Lode Fair is opening soon.
Both Twain Harte and Columbia will celebrate on Wednesday, July 4th. Register for the Twain Harte parade at 10AM, it will start at 11AM. Sing-a-long, try the food at the booths, the kids can bounce in the bounce house, many activities for families on Cedar Street following the parade. The community calendar listing is here.
Columbia’s Glorious 4th of July Celebration begins with an 11 a.m. flag raising and black powder musket salute followed by New Orleans style and patriotic music and the annual Independence Day parade. Registration for the Columbia parade starts at 10:30AM in front of the Fallon Hotel. All are welcome to march in the procession at noon, but vehicles must be at least 70 years old and animals must weigh less than 100 pounds. Awards will be given at the judges’ stand.
July 4th in Columbia has been a tradition since at least 1852 with activities for all ages. Event organizer Mike Keene points out that “this is not a reproduction; this is small town America doing what it does best.” Games include Needle in the Haystack at 11:30AM in front of the livery stable, the Watermelon Eating Contest at 1PM in front of the Columbia House, the Bucket Brigade at 1:30PM behind the livery stable, a Nail Pounding Contest at 1:15PM in front of the Blacksmith Shop, a Greased Pole Contest at 2PM between the Mercantile and the Firehouse, an Egg Relay Race and Egg Toss on Main Street at 2:30PM and 3PM respectively, a Cake Walk at 3PM at the Fallon House Garden, and a Five Way Tug-o-War at 3:30PM behind the bank across from Eagle Cottage. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event and all games are free although donations are welcome.The Chamber also invites guests and Columbia residents to enjoy a pulled pork barbecue beginning at 1PM. Tickets are limited and cost $10 for adults and $6 for children. They will be available at the Chamber’s information booth the day of the event.
Jamestown will host a July 4th Block Party at 4PM. The event features games and prizes, bounce houses, face painting, a stilt walker and food vendors. The event is free family entertainment and welcomes dancing in the street.
San Andreas is celebrating on Wednesday, July 4th as well with a July 4th Concert & Barbeque. A Band will be playing patriotic favorites, as well as some oldies and goodies. The barbecue dinner is $15.00 per person, pay at the door, details are in the event listing here.
In Tuolumne’s Westside Park their Wednesday market opens at 4:00PM and the Concert in the Park’s music begins at 6:00PM.
Unless you are involved in the Goat show, Thursday July 5th is when the Motherlode Fair begins. It is open for livestock at 8:00 am, the fair buildings and Carnival open at 5:00 pm. Buildings close at 11 pm, Carnival closes at Midnight and the fair continues all through the weekend.
Ironstone hosts 4th of July Fireworks on Saturday July 7th. The gates open at 2pm with music and bounce houses, fireworks show at dark, 9:15PM. Admission is cash only at the gate adults are $15, children (6-12) are $10 and children under 5 are free.
The 46th Annual Sierra Nevada Arts & Crafts Festival will be held over the Independence Day Weekend, July 7 and 8, in Arnold, on Highway 4. The Ebbett’s Pass Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the event serving local Calaveras County beers, along with over 50 booths of original crafts & art exhibited by the makers. The annual Ebbett’s Pass Independence Day Parade will begin at 10AM on Saturday, July 7, on Hwy. 4. The Ebbett’s Pass Lion’s Club serves an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7:30AM – 11AM both days for $8.
