Healdsburg will have a day packed full of All-American events to celebrate the nation’s birthday on Thursday, July 4.
The day will culminate with the fireworks put on by the American Legion at the Healdsburg High School baseball field after dark. The legion puts on the display each year and uses donations to fund the show.
Well before the show and first on the list is the pancake breakfast put on by the Boy Scouts at Villa Chanticleer beginning at 7 a.m.
Each year, the Scouts load up plates of piping hot flapjacks to start the morning off right. The cost is $9 for adults, $6 for kids.
Then it’s time to head on over to the Plaza downtown to enjoy the many activities put on by the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, possibly the busiest part of the holiday. Fun starts at 10 a.m. and runs to 1:30 p.m.
Rotary member Doug Pile said this is the club’s eighth year putting on their events.
One of the most popular parts of the event are the rubber duck races.
Ducks will be decorated then sent down a turbulent 60-foot long chute. Then kids can line the sides to watch before the rubber ducks are released.
“If you lead at the beginning, you’re not going to lead at the end,” Pile said.
Part of the duck racing will be paid, which is a fundraiser for Rotary projects around town. Kids can still decorate ducks for free if they don’t want to enter the competitive races, and race them in for-fun heats.
There will also be a kids’ parade at 11 a.m., where children are encouraged to wear their most patriotic costumes and ride creative vehicles. Prizes will be given out to the top in each category.
“Some kids have made a boat that they walked along in,” Pile said.
Face painting will also be provided by Live Oak Preschool. There will also be first responder vehicles to check out and an airplane cockpit.
There will be free food and drink provided by the club, including snow cones, hot dogs and apple pie.
The apple pie will be a giant, measuring six feet across, Pile said, created by Costeaux French Bakery. The pie was perfected by the bakery after it created a record-setting pumpkin pie in the same pan, Pile said.
Throughout, the Healdsburg Community Band will play favorites, including patriotic marches.
“It’s just good, wholesome American fun,” Pile said.
Then it’s time to watch America’s game. The Prune Packers host the San Francisco Seals at 5 p.m. at Recreation Park. The Pack has been on a roll, treating fans to an affordable evening of quality baseball. To keep up with the Pack, follow Sports Editor Greg Clementi’s coverage, this week on page 11.
And somewhere along the line, be sure to wish the USA a happy 243rd birthday.
