Stars and Stripes celebration returns this weekend

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Stars and Stripes celebration in honor of Independence Day is returning to Citrus Heights on Saturday, June 29 for its second year.

The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. at Van Maren Park and run until 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m.

The event will include live music from Pop Fiction beginning at 7 p.m. A Kids Zone will be available until 8:30 p.m. with hands-on kids’ activities. Nearly a dozen food vendors will also be on site, according to the city. Alcohol and large canopies are not permitted at the event.

Parking will be available at the Citrus Heights police station on Fountain Square Drive, as well as at the Citrus Heights Community Center and Dignity Health building, both located at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive. More parking will be available at the Citrus Heights Surgery Center and Small Business Administration, located on the corner of Stock Ranch Road and Sylvan Road. ADA parking will be available at City Hall.

A golf cart shuttle will be stopping at event parking lots to help transport people to the event, the city announced on social media.

Attendees are encouraged to ride their bikes or carpool to the event for traffic reduction and parking convenience, the city said. Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates will also be providing free, secure bike valet services for those who ride their bikes or scooters.

In 2023, then-mayor Tim Schaefer, who had been hesitant to support funding the event due to vocal objections from fireworks opponents, said the goal of bringing the community together was accomplished.

Prior fireworks shows had been held at Sunrise Mall, but were privately funded and discontinued in 2012.

Van Maren Park is located at 6601 Thalia Way. For up-to-date information on the celebration, visit the city’s website.