Record attendance at Citrus Heights ‘Stars and Stripes’ celebration

By Sara Beth Williams–
Thousands gathered in Van Maren Park on June 29 for the second annual Stars and Stripes celebration hosted by the city.

An estimated 7,000 attendees filled the park, according to city officials, which is nearly double the estimated attendance in 2023. The celebration featured music from Pop Fiction and an active Kids Zone, which took over the park’s basketball court. The event concluded with a 15-minute, professional aerial fireworks show that could be seen from miles away.

“I was incredibly proud to see the event come together and see our residents and their families enjoying an evening of family fun, celebrating our country,” Mayor Bret Daniels said in a statement to the press. Daniels called the event was a “great success” and praised the city and Police Department for providing a safe, inviting, and fun atmosphere.

Eleven different food vendors lined Stock Ranch Road, while live music played from a stage set up near the roundabout that connects Stock Ranch Road, Woodside Drive, and Fountain Square Drive. The streets were closed to vehicle traffic as families and children gathered in an open grass area with chairs and blankets. Shuttles provided transport back and forth from dedicated event parking lots.

Several vendors in the kids zone offered arts, crafts, face painting, and other activities for kids. One vendor said they handed out at least 400 balloons to children throughout the night.

Citrus Heights Police IMPACT officers were on site during the event, and according to the Police Department, extra Animal Services officers were also available and on call during the celebration in preparation for any animal emergencies.

Last year, the City Council voted 3-2 to approve the use of up to $80,000 in American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief funds to be spent on the inaugural event, with costs going to cover traffic control, fireworks, performances, and other related costs.

The city said that for 2024, the funds for the celebration were built into the General Fund and also announced on social media that multiple local organizations sponsored the event, including Republic Services, Rollingwood YMCA, Sunrise MarketPlace, Stones Gambling Hall, SMUD, Herc Rentals, Arrow Construction, and the San Juan Unified School District.

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