Fireworks-free Fourth fun: Your guide to celebrating Independence Day in Santa Cruz County

Whether it’s the smell of sparklers, the taste of strawberry pie or the sound of your neighbor’s party music, Independence Day is filled with many sensual touchstones of the uniquely American brand of summer. Just like every community across the purple mountains and fruited plains of the country, Santa Cruz County has its traditions as well. If you have access to a “Star Trek” transporter, you could conceivably catch four local parades celebrating America’s 248th birthday — though you’re probably better off just choosing one. Here are the deets on your (fireworks-free) Santa Cruz Fourth of July:

Aptos

We include the famed “World’s Shortest Parade” in Aptos first, because its starting time is earliest. The parade gets started at 10 a.m. at State Park Drive and Soquel Drive, and proceeds toward Aptos Village. (Certainly, there are parades that are shorter, but we quibble.) Led by grand marshal and Second District County Supervisor Zach Friend, the parade culminates in a big party at Aptos Village Park, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring games, food trucks, vendors, adult beverages and live music, including James Durbin & the Lost Boys. After it’s all over, you can go home and pick your favorite attraction in the parade. 

Boulder Creek

The Fourth begins in beautiful Boulder Creek with a pancake breakfast at the Boulder Creek firehouse. Then, the parade gets started at 10 a.m. through downtown. You can even catch the parade on a live broadcast at KBCZ (89.3 FM). The parade will culminate in a big block party on Forest Street with food vendors and live music (and, we can presume, some embarrassing dancing). 

Scotts Valley

The Fourth of July Parade & Flyover in Scotts Valley starts with kids activities and games at 10 a.m. The parade along Scotts Valley Drive gets moving promptly at noon. Fun and games continue until 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 5060 Scotts Valley Dr. 

Watsonville

The “Spirit of Watsonville” Independence Day parade will bring the crowds to downtown Watsonville to celebrate its theme “Stars, Stripes and Strawberries.” This fabulous event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. down Main Street, from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street. 

Roaring Camp

Felton’s own gorgeous piece of Americana is open on the Fourth with two trains running and live music to celebrate the holiday. There’s probably no more American place to be. 

Wilder Ranch

They’re turning back the clocks at Wilder Ranch State Park for a celebration that evokes a Fourth of July as Teddy Roosevelt might recognize it. The day will feature lawn games and blacksmith demonstrations, living history presentations, hand-made ice cream and a singalong of “The Star Spangled Banner,” 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s even a parade through the ranch, beginning at noon. It’s a free event, but it’ll cost $10 to park.

Firecracker 10K

Alas, the only firecracker legal to use in Santa Cruz County this Fourth of July is the Santa Cruz Firecracker running race, divided into 10K, 5K and 1K (for the kids) distances, all at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz. The event, presented by Sunrise Rotary in Santa Cruz, is a morning affair with staggered starting times beginning at 8 a.m. Runners on the long course will explore the trails of Pogonip adjacent to the UC Santa Cruz campus. 

Beyond the county

So, you can’t have a Fourth of July without fireworks? It’ll mean a drive, but you can find them. Gilroy, for example, hosts a big fireworks display at Gilroy High School. Almaden Lake Regional Park, near Los Gatos, will have fireworks too, as will California’s Great America in Santa Clara, Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, Hollister Municipal Airport and downtown Morgan Hill. 

Wherever you are, celebrate with those you love, Americans or otherwise, have great food, watch a ballgame, and be sure to play the Ray Charles version of “America the Beautiful” at some point during the day. It’s your patriotic duty.

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