LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Just because it's still June doesn't mean cities across Riverside County aren't ready to celebrate the 4th of July. Fireworks and parties are planned to start Saturday, ahead of America's 247th birthday.
It begins in Murrieta as the city combines pre-Independence Day festivities with a 32nd "Birthday Bash" for the municipality, which was incorporated in 1991.
Murrieta officials have planned an outdoor concert, food vendors, a kids' play zone and fireworks set to music in the park as nightfall reaches California Oaks Sports Park.
Further to the north, in Menifee, look for the traditional "Independence Day Celebration" also scheduled for Saturday in Wheatfield Park, beginning at 4 p.m. The event features a parade along La Piedra Road, children's activities, live music and fireworks at sundown.
"The annual Independence celebration has something for everyone and is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and celebrate with the community," Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman said. "The city is proud to keep this great tradition going in our city, along with all of our amazing partners, who help make this event a success year after year."
North of the 91 Freeway, the city of Eastvale will also host a fireworks extravaganza Saturday, beginning at 9 p.m., in Community Park on Citrus Street.
On the July 4th weekend, multiple pyrotechnics celebrations are planned from one end of Riverside County to the other.
July 1:
Starting on July 1, Coachella will host fireworks after show at Bagdouma Park, and Desert Hot Springs will hold a celebration after dark on the same date at Desert Hot Springs Middle School on Two Bunch Palms Trail.
The city of Perris will host a show on July 1 at Morgan Park on East Morgan Street.
July 3:
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio and the Jurupa Area Recreation & Park District will hold shows at 9 p.m. on July 3.
The Jurupa Valley spectacular will be held in Vernola Family Park on Wineville Avenue.
July 4:
On the Fourth of July, events are planned at a string of venues countywide.
Beaumont will celebrate the 4th of July at Stewart Park, Ninth Street and Orange Avenue
Corona's traditional "Main Street U.S.A Parade" will begin at about 9 a.m. at Ontario and Main Streets, featuring law enforcement units, fire engines, marching bands, military hardware and show animals. The procession will travel about a mile, concluding at Olive and Main streets around noon. A fireworks show is set for 9 p.m. at Corona's Santana Regional Park.
Lake Elsinore's July 4th extravaganza sets off at Lakepoint Park, 420 Lakeshore Drive.
Moreno Valley's 4th of July Parade will get underway at 9:30 a.m. at Alessandro Boulevard and Frederick Street, concluding two hours later on Towngate Boulevard. The celebration will continue at 2 p.m. outside the Civic Center Amphitheater on Frederick Street, where a "Family FunFest" is planned, complete with rock bands, a beer garden and kids' activities. Fireworks are scheduled after sunset.
Palm Desert will host its 4th of July events at Civic Center Park, Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue.
Palm Springs has its 4th of July party at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road.
Rancho Mirage will celebrate 4th of July at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive.
Temecula's "Star Spangled Parade" begins at 9 a.m., featuring the Temecula Valley Mounted Posse, Veterans of Foreign Wars, members of the American Legion, the Riverside County Fire Department, the Boy Scouts of America and other organizations.
The parade will run along Old Town Front Street. A fireworks extravaganza is planned later in the day in Ronald Reagan Sports Park after dark.
In addition to the above venues, fireworks shows are scheduled at the following locations, beginning at 9 p.m. on July 4:
Temecula also will see fireworks from Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway.
Riverside will host 4th of July events both at La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra Avenue and also at Mount Rubidoux, 4706 Mount Rubidoux Drive.
RULES ABOUT FIREWORKS IN RIVERSIDE NOT AT AN APPROVED CITY EVENT:
In 2020, all but one public Fourth of July fireworks celebration was canceled because of the coronavirus public health lockdowns. The celebrations returned on a scaled-down level in 2021 and were back in full swing last year.
In Riverside County, private parties are prohibited from using fireworks except in Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio, where so-called "safe and sane" fireworks, certified by the state fire marshal, can be sold to the public.
What are "safe and sane" fireworks? The devices are mostly pyrotechnics that don't explode or fly, including sparklers, ground spinners, fountains, snappers and caps.
Under county Ordinance 858, which was amended by the Board of Supervisors in response to an outbreak of blazes in 2020, fines for illegally storing, transporting or setting off fireworks can range from $1,000 to $5,000.
What happens if you start a fire with fireworks?
Any person who triggers a brush fire due to the illegal use of fireworks can be held responsible for all suppression costs. Under the revised ordinance, property owners also face liability.
In the city of Riverside, people can report illegal fireworks by calling the city's hotline at 951-826-5311.
Elsewhere in Riverside County, reports are fielded via the sheriff's non-emergency enforcement line, 1-800-950-2444, or at https://www.riversidesheriff.org.
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