Claremonters ready to 'Rock the Fourth'

The blankets have been laid out for days and the last minute preparations are underway as Claremont gets ready to 'Rock the Fourth' tomorrow. 

Festivities start bright and early, and the Kiwanis have breakfast covered for those eager to head out the door. Stop by Memorial Park and get your fair share of pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk for $5 a person. After you've gotten your share, find a seat near the side of the street to cheer on your favorite racers in the Freedom 5000 5K, starting at 8 a.m. after the kids' 1K, which takes place at 7:30 a.m. 

Remember the reason for the day's relaxation by taking part in the city's flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. Theme contest winner Elaine Ulmer will lead the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, an official greeting will be given by Mayor Opanyi Nasiali and Charlie Gale, chair, and Eric Garton, vice chair, of this year's Independence Day Committee will share a few words. 

Memorial Park will be sprinkled with patriotic activity throughout the rest of the day—the T. Willard Hunter Speakers' Corner kicks off at 10:15 a.m., booths set up shop across the lawn and the staple Fourth of July parade winds its way down Indian Hill beginning at 4 p.m. Parade participants may start lining up for the pomp and circumstance at 3 p.m. The celebration ends with a bang courtesy of the annual Fireworks Spectacular, taking place at Pomona College's Strehle Track. Tickets are available at Vons, The Claremont Club, Wolfe's Market, Rio De Ojas and he Claremont Chamber for $8 per-sale or $10 at the gate, if still available. The gate opens at 6:30 p.m. and the show takes off at 9. Check out the COURIER's Fourth of July Special Edition (inserted within the Friday, June 28 paper) for more information on Claremont's Independence Day party.