Celebrate the 4th on this 236th Birthday of the USA

-Photo by Terry Miller

By SHEL SEGAL
As the nation prepares to celebrate its 236th birthday, here is a list of patriotic ways San Gabriel Valley residents can commemorate the day:
The largest area festival takes place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and is known as AmericaFest. The festival starts outside the stadium at 2 p.m. At 7 p.m. the crowd inside the stadium is treated to motorcycle stunts and the Beatle tribute band known as “Liverpool Legend, Beatle Experience.
Tickets range from $17 to $34. Please call (626) 577-3100 or log onto www.rosebowlstadium.com/events for more information.
In Sierra Madre, you can attend the town’s annual Fourth of July parade and see all the festivities – such as being squirted with water and watching the aging lone belly dancer make her way down the street – all while showing your colors are red, white and blue.
The parade features community members, classic cars, marching band, kids on decorated bikes and runs along Sierra Madre Boulevard from City Hall to Sierra Vista Park from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information, please call (626) 355-5278.
In Alhambra, the festivities take place at Almansor Park, located at 800 South Almansor Street, and get underway at 1 p.m.
There will be carnival games and live entertainment and guests may bring food into the park.
The band known as “The Bolts” will start playing at 7:30 p.m. with the fireworks show starting at 9 p.m.
Please, no dogs nor alcohol are permitted. For more information, log onto www.cityofalhambra.org.
In Monrovia, Independence Day with take place in Library Park, located at 321 South Myrtle Avenue,
Entertainment begins at 3 p.m. with the band “Stone Soul” playing from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks are to start at 9 p.m. and festival-goers can reserve a park space no larger than 10′ X 10′.
In Monterey Park, there will be children’s crafts and music from the Monterey Park Concert Band from 3 to 10 p.m. at Barnes Park, which is located is 350 South McPherrin Avenue.
The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. All activities are free, but you must pay for your own food purchases.
For more information, please call (626) 307-1388 or log onto www.montereypark.ca.gov.
In Rosemead, the city is holding its annual parade starting at 10 a.m. It begins at Muscatel Avenue and Valley Boulevard and ends at Rosemead Park. The carnival begins at noon in the park and has rides and food.
Opening ceremonies start at 5 p.m. and precede live entertainment. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
In San Gabriel, the parade there starts at 9:30 a.m. at Plaza Park, 428 South Mission Drive, in front of the San Gabriel Mission and continues north through the Mission District, turns east on Broadway and ends at Smith Park, 232 West Broadway.
Kids are invited to decorate their tricycles, bicycles, scooters or walk in the parade, but they must register to participate.
There will be free activities at Smith Park that include a watermelon eating contest, barbecue, games, entertainment and food vendors.
For more information, please call (626) 308-2875.
(Shel Segal can be reached at ssegal@beaconmedianews.com. He can be followed via Twitter @segallanded.)

More from Arcadia Weekly