Independence Day celebrated with picnics, fireworks

The Valley was alive Saturday with families and friends celebrating the Fourth of July at barbecues and fireworks shows while sporting an endless amount of red, white and blue apparel.

Although the holiday was a time of celebration for many, several local residents noted it’s also a time to reflect on America.

For Maria Rivera, a Kerman native who recently moved to Fresno, July 4 is about the freedom of the nation and about celebrating the nation’s birthday.

Rivera, 37, wore red, white and blue from head to toe as she spent the early afternoon celebrating her independence by cooling off at a creek in Woodward Park under the protection of a sparkly top hat.

Rivera was celebrating her first Fourth of July in Fresno just going with the flow.

“I have no traditions,” she said. “I always make sure I’m dressed up, because I’m absolutely proud to be an American.”

In another section of the park, the Costco Employee Association was celebrating its annual family picnic. Catered by Taqueria Rios de Aqua Viva, family and friends of employees celebrated with a face painting booth, raffle, prizes and bingo. There was also a pinata for the children and sports activities, including soccer, badminton, volleyball, football and Frisbee.

Angela Hoffknecht, 39, is a Fresno local who helped organize the event, which she said is run by volunteers.

“It’s a time to celebrate with their families and enjoy the freedoms of our country that we have, and this is just a way to celebrate all those freedoms that have been given to us that we take for granted sometimes,” she said.

Hoffknecht, treasurer of the association since 2002, said the members voluntarily pay dues every month and the money goes to creating two major events, including the July 4 picnic.

In central Fresno, the Dickson family held a get-together in Roeding Park that featured barbecue, a speaker system and line dancing to the electric slide. Their celebration would continue in the evening with fireworks out in the country.

Anthony McRae, 53, grew up in Fresno but now lives in Seattle. He returned to town to celebrate with his extended family. He said the families hadn’t held a Fourth of July gathering since 1994, and only one-third of them were present on Saturday. Rather than wearing traditional American colors, they decided to wear orange so other members could identify them as they arrived.

“Independence to me means everybody,” he said. “As a whole this holiday is suppose to celebrate independence, and each person who is here in this country should identify what that is for them, but after that you take the day off and do it right.”

Eight-year-old Jason Dickson of Fresno said he was excited to have a good time with his family Saturday. The first thing that popped into his head when he thought of July 4 was fireworks, and his favorite holiday food — “Nana’s barbecue chicken.”

Later in the afternoon, friends and families gathered at Clovis High School to celebrate at Freedom Fest with food, drinks, games, activities and live entertainment, all before the fireworks show that has been voted the “best in the region” for 12 years.

Craig Carr, 43, of Fresno, said his family has come to the Clovis Kiwanis fireworks show for six or seven years.

“It’s got a vibe and family atmosphere and the fireworks show in general, how it’s set to music, is nice,” he said.

For 17 years the Freedom Fest fireworks were held at Buchanan High’s Veterans Stadium, but due to construction on the school’s track it was moved this year to Clovis High.

David Jones, 62, has been a member of the Clovis Kiwanis Club for six years and has helped out with Freedom Fest every year. He said although the club feels more at home at Buchanan, logistically the view would be pretty good at Clovis High.

His favorite part about the event is getting together with the club and doing something that allows them to give back to the community and celebrate Independence Day.

“It’s nice to see the different types of people that come out to this event, young to old, all walks of life,” Jones said. “It’s neat how they all come together to do the same thing, which is celebrate the birth of our country.”

This story was originally published July 4, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Independence Day celebrated with picnics, fireworks."