Traditional, family friendly Fourth in Antioch

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 24, 2009 | by Hilary Costa

ANTIOCH -- In an economy that threatens to dim the nation's collective holiday spirit, Antioch is offering a recession-proof way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The city will hold its 11th annual celebration with the Hometown Parade, live music and fireworks show -- all free events -- in the historic Rivertown district on the Fourth. The parade will begin at 7 p.m., and the half-hour fireworks show will start at 9:30 p.m.

Attendance could surpass the 15,000 people who turned out for last year's event, and officials say they'll welcome the crowds.

"It's really a chance to show our downtown to people who might not otherwise come down," said Brian Nunnally, the city's economic development analyst.

As of mid-June the city had 27 groups signed up to walk in the parade, and was expecting dozens more to sign up as the deadline approached. Parade participants can enter in 10 different categories, including scout group, patriotic entry, cultural entry and club entry.

"Nothing could be more American than a good old Fourth of July parade and fireworks," said Mayor Jim Davis.

The event is strictly alcohol-free and intended to be family- friendly, he said.

Local bands The Floor Shakers and The L Seven Band will play live following the parade, and a DJ will spin music on Second Street near the Antioch Senior Citizens Center. Some businesses will stay open later, and vendors will sell ice cream and other cold desserts.

Antioch's half-hour fireworks show will be the only local display fired from the water, Nunnally said, adding that the length of the Second Street waterfront means there isn't a bad seat in the house to view them.

The $37,000 event -- $25,000 of which will go to the fireworks and related safety requirements -- is being paid for with residential development and redevelopment funds, and not with money from the city's lean general fund.

Reach Hilary Costa at 925-779-7166 or hcosta@bayareanewsgroup.com.If you go-- what: Antioch's 11th annual Fourth of July Celebration-- when: 7 to 10 p.m. July 4-- where: Second Street along the Antioch waterfront-- how much: Free-- parking: A free shuttle service will be available from 6 to 10:30 p.m. picking up from the Antioch High School parking lot at West 18th and L streets, and at the County Fairgrounds baseball field parking lot at 10th and O streets. Handicap parking will be available in the Nick Rodriguez Community Center lot on F Street.