WEEKENDER
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County.
July 2, 2026
FOURTH OF JULY FUN
America celebrates its semiquincentennial this Saturday. While the holiday may come with difficult feelings about our country’s current state of affairs, I think most can agree that gathering with friends and family to celebrate your community – whether by running a 5K, participating in a pie-eating contest or enjoying a hometown parade – is a positive force to usher in the next 250 years.
In Santa Cruz, runners of all skill levels will gather at Harvey West Park at 8 a.m. for the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Firecracker 10K/5K/1K, starting with a Kids’ Dash for the youngest runners. This year’s run honors longtime emcee Rod Caborn, who passed away earlier this year.
It’s a day for parades across the county, with festivities kicking off in Boulder Creek, in Santa Cruz’s Seabright neighborhood and in Aptos for the World’s Shortest Parade at 10 a.m. The City of Scotts Valley is hosting a Fourth of July Parade & Block Party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club parking lot, with the parade at 11 a.m. Watsonville’s Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade starts at 12:30 p.m. downtown, followed by the annual Fire in the Sky flyovers and fireworks starting at 4:30 p.m. at Watsonville Municipal Airport.
On the north coast, Wilder Ranch State Park is celebrating the semiquincentennial with American Roots, an all-day event with live music, open houses at the historic buildings, food for sale, historical demonstrations, old-fashioned games and more.
Above all, be safe, have fun, and avoid hefty fireworks fines. – Lily Belli
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