Listen to this note:
Redwood City is ready to celebrate Independence Day this July 4th. With a series of activities and a parade, the city seeks to commemorate the date and provide events for the entire family, ranging from the artistic to the educational.
The annual Fourth of July parade in downtown Redwood City is the largest Independence Day event in Northern California, attracting thousands of spectators each year from all over the state.
Most of the Parade's budget is used for cash prizes for participants, many of whom are winners from Redwood City.
The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, and people will know it's time when they hear the cannon.
Winding through historic downtown Redwood City, the parade has a 1.3-mile route, where 54 organizations will participate.
Other activities include a pancake breakfast with the Redwood City Fire Department at Fire Station 9 (755 Marshall Street), which costs $10 and benefits the Redwood City Firefighters Association. The event will take place from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Redwood City's City Hall Plaza will host chalk art, as various artists create temporary paintings in different spaces.
The Downtown Festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is intended to support local organizations and artists at the annual Festival. There will be craft booths, food and entertainment for the thousands of festival-goers immediately following the parade.
In addition, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., a pre-fireworks concert will be held at the Redwood City Harbor featuring the Love Struck Band.
The band Love Struck is a seven-piece cover dance band, a favorite of the ea de la Bah.