Sacramento’s Fourth Marked By Families, Fun, Some Fireworks
By Gwen Schoen, The Sacramento Bee, Calif.
Jul. 5–Even with low water levels at Folsom Lake, high fuel costs and an appeal from the governor to forgo fireworks, area residents still celebrated the Fourth of July with a big dose of tradition.
At Folsom Lake it was a long walk to the water’s edge, but that did not deter visitors to the state park.
"Well, not having fireworks is a disappointment, but it’s all about food, family and friends anyway," said Frank Hernandez of North Highlands.
Hernandez was counting the hot dogs on the grill to make sure he had enough to feed all the hungry kids waiting around the nearby picnic table.
"We usually have about 25 people out here on the Fourth, counting friends and family and all the kids," Hernandez said. "It’s a tradition. We have a few fireworks for the kids to set off when we get home so nobody will be completely disappointed."
The sign at the Granite Bay entrance to the park warned boaters that there was a 60-minute wait to launch, but no one turned away.
The lake level is at 410 feet, said Ranger Jason Rector, who was supervising the boat launch ramp at Granite Bay. According to Rector, because of low water levels, this is probably one of the last weekends for wake surfing and water skiing on the lake.
"We expect speed limits to go down to five miles an hour in a few days," Rector said. "The water drops about a foot a day. When it hits 400, we have to lower the speed limit to five miles per hour."
On Wednesday boat owners were required to pull their vessels from berths at Folsom Lake Marina. But launching is still allowed, according to Dan Tynan, Folsom sector superintendent of the California State Parks Gold Fields District.
Many boaters were taking advantage of the warm weather and long holiday weekend Friday to get in another day of water sports.
"I’m going to try to be a little more conservative today," said boater Bill Hurbetz.
Hurbetz, who lives in El Dorado Hills, was getting ready to launch his 23-foot, high-performance boat at the Brown’s Ravine ramp.
"With fuel prices so high, a day on the lake usually runs between $300 and $400," he said. "I like to fly across the lake like a gnat, but today I’m going to do a lot of drifting to save some fuel. I expect in a few days the speed limit will be reduced, so I’m planning to enjoy it while I can."
Folks in Sacramento neighborhoods didn’t seem to be taking heed of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s request to skip the street pyrotechnics. Sales appeared brisk at area stands in spite of the appeal.
"The Fourth is it. It’s our busiest day," said Paulette McDonald, who was serving customers at a stand in Oak Park, near Broadway and Stockton Boulevard.
The stand, operated by the Ladies of Charity service organization, based in south Sacramento, enjoyed steady sales this year, said McDonald, president of the group. By noon Friday, they had sold out of two popular fountain fireworks, the Rustler and the Jack of Hearts.
The group typically nets $3,000 to $5,000 a year, with most of the proceeds going toward scholarships for high school seniors in the area, she said.
Among the customers were Danielle Lovelace of Oak Park and her daughter, A-Mariah, who were engaged in a classic Independence Day battle of wills:
"Mom, please. Just one more? The snakes?"
"No, this is enough," came the reply. "Fireworks last all of 10 minutes."
After paying the $18.55 bill for the fireworks, Lovelace and her daughter headed to the Food Source store nearby to stock up for a barbecue for 50 people. On the menu: ribs and chicken, potato salad, watermelon, cakes and pies, and fireworks after sunset.
In many of Sacramento’s oldest neighborhoods, residents took advantage of abundant shade and mild weather Friday to enjoy traditional day-long block parties.
Live music filled the air, there were water slides, beer, barbecued ribs and plenty of American flags.
On Lovella Way in River Park, Tony Glover, 35, organized a Fourth of July block party with neighbors and longtime friends. He got a permit, passed out fliers and scheduled bands to play for the early part of the celebration, giving way to traditional fireworks at night.
"It’s a tribute to my dad," Glover said. "He was known in our neighborhood as a big fireworks guy."
Glover, owner of the magazine LuxLife, said he always looks for the biggest fireworks available, the kind that cost as much as $75 and last more than 10 minutes. He said he understood the governor’s concerns, particularly last week when the sky was filled with smoke. He says he understands local officials reviewed the matter and determined fireworks are safe in Sacramento.
"They decided not to ban them," he said, "So, we’ll enjoy."
On Santa Ynez Way in east Sacramento, a few dozen neighbors enjoyed a potluck lunch with salads and tri-tip.
The Santa Ynez party has developed its own rhythm over the years. The potluck lunch begins in the afternoon, followed by a band at 3 p.m. Residents then take a brief respite before gathering in the evening for fireworks. Nancy Park, a longtime Santa Ynez resident, had a water slide on her lawn for the kids, while the adults sat in front of William Inouye’s well-shaded home.
Inouye, 40, said the party was a great tradition with a diverse mix of neighbors who want to stay home. The group kept its annual fireworks show, despite the governor’s suggestion.
"We understand the whole concern of ‘Don’t burn anything,’ " Inouye said. "But we’ve blocked off the whole street, we’re lighting them in the middle of the street, everything gets soaked down. We get the idea, but it wouldn’t be the same without them."
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