Check out these 4th of July celebrations in the High Desert, mountain communities

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Updated ·7 min read

The 18th annual Spring Valley Lake Firework Show will kick off a series of Independence Day-themed events by various organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities.

The aerial display is open to Spring Valley Lake members and guests. The show will begin around 9 p.m. on Saturday — a week before Independence Day weekend. Membership cards are required to attend, and anyone using a guest pass must be accompanied by a member with a photo card, an online event flier states.

The fireworks can also be viewed outside of Spring Valley Lake, in places like Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville.

Organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities will host Independence Day-themed events beginning on Saturday, June 24.
Organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities will host Independence Day-themed events beginning on Saturday, June 24.

Lucerne Valley

After a nearly seven-year drought, Independence Day fireworks will return to Lucerne Valley, Chamber of Commerce President Angie Miller said.

The fireworks celebration is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 at Pioneer Park next to the San Bernardino County Fire Station on Old Woman Springs Road.

“Because of a lack of funding and the COVID-19 pandemic, we haven’t been able to host a 4th of July fireworks show since 2016,” Miller said. “But now, we’re ready to bring back fireworks and a large-scale celebration for the entire family.”

The event will include food, games, a beer garden, live music, vendors, hay rides and plenty of surprises.

As part of the celebration, the Lucerne Valley Museum Association will host a car show from 5 to 7 p.m. at the nearby senior center, according to museum President Chelsea LaGrange.

Organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities will host Independence Day-themed events beginning on Saturday, June 24.
Organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities will host Independence Day-themed events beginning on Saturday, June 24.

Humanitarian Emergency Lifeline Project Director Jason Hansen said the fireworks show begins at dark and will be conducted by Zambelli Fireworks, which produces fireworks and pyrotechnics displays across the U.S. and internationally.

On Tuesday, July 4, the Independence Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. and will travel on Highway 18 from Trade Post Road to Cafe Pioneer Park.

Miller suggests parade goers bring chairs and shade, also water balloons and squirt guns to have some fun water play.

“We are encouraging families to come to the park after the parade for the trophies and ringing of the bell,” Miller said. “We will be staying to enjoy the day and to enjoy each other's company. Bring your own food to barbecue or pack a lunch.”

The Lucerne Valley Market at 32946 Hwy. 18 will host parking, with bus and hayrides to the park.

Adelanto

The HD Food Shack will host a 4th of July “Block Party” style firework show from 5 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 at Adelanto Stadium and Event Center at 12000 Stadium Way.

The event will include food, drinks, music, games, fireworks and more. Admission is free, parking is $10. For more information contact the stadium at 760-261-1240.

Apple Valley

The Town of Apple Valley will host its 25th annual 4th of July Freedom Festival from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 at the Lenny Brewster Sports Center at 21024 Otoe Road.

The event will include live entertainment, food and retail vendors, a beer garden, and a fireworks show that begins at 9 p.m. and will include music simulcast by Y102 Radio FM.

Blankets and chairs are suggested. Pets, smoking, and outside alcohol are prohibited at the event. For more information, call 760-240-7880 or visit applevalleyevents.org.

There will be plenty of Independence Day celebrations this year, with High Desert and mountain communities hosting parades, fairs, carnival and firework shows.
There will be plenty of Independence Day celebrations this year, with High Desert and mountain communities hosting parades, fairs, carnival and firework shows.

Barstow

Barstow city officials will host the 26th Annual Fireworks Spectacular on Tuesday, July 4 at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark at 2800 Mayor Katy Parkway.

The day begins at 7 a.m. with a free 5K Freedom Run at the sports park, with pre-registration at the Cora Harper Community Center at 841 Barstow Road.

Gates to the park open at 5 p.m. for an evening of live music featuring Southern Spirit, a beer garden, and children’s activities such as bounce houses, inflatable water slides, and other water-related activities.

The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. with a music simulcast on FM 98.1

Barbecues, outside alcohol, and glass containers will not be allowed at the venue. Visitors are encouraged to bring their food.

Information about the event and free bus service by the Victor Valley Transit Authority is available at barstowca.org.

Lake Arrowhead

The Arrowhead Lake Association's 2023 Lake Arrowhead Fireworks Show begins at 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 2.

Newberry Springs

The Newberry Springs CSD and Chamber of Commerce will host a Monday “3rd of July” celebration from 2 to 11 p.m. at Community Park at 30884 Newberry Road. There will be live music, waterslides, vendors and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. For more information, call 760-447-6295 or email newberrycsd@gmail.com.

Hosted by American Legion Post 751, the 47th Annual July 4th Parade will begin at 9 a.m. from The Barn to the American Legion Post at 30196 Newberry Road in Newberry Springs. With the theme “Life on Route 66,” the parade will include floats, classic cars, equestrians and vehicles. A barbecue lunch will be offered for $5 a plate after the parade.

Silver Lakes 

The Silver Lakes Association will host its Independence Day Celebration at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 1 at North Beach. The event will feature live music from 2 to 5 p.m. with Brett Copeland, followed by DJ Pro Flo from 5:30-9:30 p.m. There will be food vendors, an obstacle course, water slides and bounce houses. The fireworks show begins at dusk. The event is open to current SLA residents and their guests with photo ID. For more information, email SLARecreationDept@gmail.com.

Victorville 

Considered the biggest firework show in the High Desert, the 4th of July Freedom Festival is coming to the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds at 14800 Seventh Street in Victorville.

Gates to the fairgrounds will open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with food, drinks, bounce houses, music and more. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m.

The fireworks show will accompany patriotic music simulcast on the Kat Country 100.7 FM radio station.

No weapons, including pocket knives, are allowed at the venue. Also, no outside food or drinks other than unopened bottles of water. No ice chests and no pets other than properly documented service animals.

Big Bear 

The Fireworks Spectacular explodes over Big Bear Lake at 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The fireworks show runs for about 30 to 40 minutes and can be viewed from the water, the shore, and some trail points. The event is free, and radio station KBHR will provide a musical accompaniment on 93.3 FM and 102.5 FM.

The 29th annual Big Bear Lake Independence Day Faire will provide visitors with a day of shopping, children's activities, live entertainment, a beer garden, food, vendors, and arts and crafts booths.

The fair opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with the festivities continuing through 6 p.m. The fair is at the corner of Big Bear Boulevard and Division Drive. For more details, call the Convention Center at Big Bear Lake at 909-585-3000 or visit bigbearevents.com.

Organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities will host Independence Day-themed events beginning on Saturday, June 24.
Organizations across the High Desert and mountain communities will host Independence Day-themed events beginning on Saturday, June 24.

Crestline

Just months after suffering from a disastrous 80-inches of snowfall, Crestline will host Jamboree Days over the July 4th weekend, organizers said.

The celebration begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1

with the Jamboree Days Parade, which winds from Crest Forest Drive, down Fern Drive and merging onto Lake Drive before ending at Lake Gregory Drive.

The fun continues from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a Family Fun Zone at Forest Shade Road.

Also, Crestline Chamber of Commerce will host a Beer Garden from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Arrowhead Credit Union at 23971 Lake Drive.

The beer garden will include local vineyards and breweries pouring a variety of craft beers and fine wines. There will also be dozens of vendors, and food trucks.

Lake Gregory will close at 5 p.m. to freshen the beaches before reopening for free to the public at 6 p.m. Visitors may picnic at the lakeside and watch the fireworks show over Lake Gregory at 9 p.m.

Visitors are invited to the Jamboree Days Community Picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, July 3 at the Meadow at San Moritz Lodge, 24640 San Moritz Drive in Crestline.

The picnic will include paid food options, bounce houses, gunny-sack and three-legged races, watermelon-eating contests, cornhole, face-painting, balloon animals and craft vendors.

Visit JamboreeDays.com for more information.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: July 4th celebrations in the High Desert, mountain communities