Looking for Fresno-area Fourth of July firework shows? You’ll likely be disappointed

Celebrating Fourth of July in 2020 will be different, to say the least.

For some it will be downright disappointing.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues its spread through the central San Joaquin Valley, most of the long-running community fireworks displays have been canceled.

Aerial-only display in Kingsburg; Drive-in display in Caruthers

Kingsburg is one of the few Valley town that still plans to have a fireworks show this year, though it won’t be without changes.

According to the city’s Chamber of Commerce, the show — scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Friday, July 3 at Kingsburg High School — will be an “aerial only” display. So, there will be no community seating and school grounds will be off limits.

Because there’s no entrance fee this year, the chamber is accepting donations and has created a GoFundMe to help pay for the show.

Caruthers District Fair is hosting a drive-in fireworks celebration at the fairgrounds. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday July 3 and the even costs $10 per car. No walk-ins, no alcohol and now trailers will be allowed.

The Clovis Veterans Memorial District will host a virtual celebration on Saturday. The watch-party events happens at 9 a.m, noon and 5 p.m. on the district’s Facebook page and includes patriotic marches recorded by the AUSA Sounds of Freedom Band, plus remarks about Independence Day and community leaders like Clovis Community College President Dr. Lori Bennett and Assemblyman Jim Patterson.

July 4 events that are not happening

On Monday, Tachi Palace Casino Resort said it had canceled its annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration, though the casino will remain open for those over 21 years old — with masks required. The adjoining Coyote Entertainment Center remains closed.

Clovis’ Wild Water Adventure Park is hoping to be open for the Fourth of July weekend, but it will forgo its Star Spangled Review, the fireworks and multimedia event its held the past 35 years. The park has canceled all fireworks and entertainment for the summer.

Bass Lake has also canceled its fireworks celebration this year. Ditto for Shaver Lake’s Independent Day Celebration and boat parade.

The Fresno Grizzlies have traditionally held massive fireworks show at Chukchansi Park downtown. The minor league baseball season was postponed in March and will likely be canceled altogether.

Freedom Fest, the annual Independence Day Celebration/fireworks show put on by the Kiwanis Club of Clovis the past 39 years, was canceled earlier this month when organizers said they ran out of time to plan for the changes needed to stage the event safely.

The Kiwanis Club of Tulare also canceled its third of July fireworks show at the Tulare County Fairgrounds.

The city of Sanger announced the cancellation of its 4th of July Spectacular at the end of May.

On the central coast (and a spot popular with Valley residents), Cayucos has canceled its festivities — the parade and sand castle building and fireworks show — due to the pandemic.

Safe and sane neighborhood fireworks

Of course, the lack of organized community fireworks celebrations may mean that the celebrations will be happening in neighborhoods instead. Across the county, people are reporting more nightly ka-booms than usual and fireworks store owners have reported major increases in sales.

Locally, fireworks are relegated to “Safe and Sane” stands, which are now open across Fresno County for those planning to staying at home. Expect physical distancing markers at the stands and a limit to how many people can be waiting in line at one time.

This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 11:56 AM.