All American Party
Americafest sets the standard for July Fourth fun
By Carl Kozlowski 07/02/2009
America turns 233 years old this Saturday, meaning it’s time to throw a party. Pasadena’s fortunate to be the home of Americafest, one of the largest fireworks celebrations in the country, and for the 80th year running offers a full day of family fun.
Feel free to drive into the Rose Bowl’s vast parking lots anytime after 8 a.m. and start having your own fun. Just know that the family festival and food court open at 2 p.m., featuring bounce houses, face painting and two XBOX pavilions with tournaments going on all day.
At 6 p.m., grab your seat in the stadium for the opening ceremonies, the presentation of colors and the national anthem at 6:50 p.m. Add in performances by five of the nation’s top drum corps starting at 7 p.m. and a full half-hour of spectacular fireworks at 9:05 p.m. and you’ve easily covered the cost of your $13 ticket.
Yet for Americafest volunteer and fundraiser Emina Darakjy, the day’s festivities mean a lot more than an excuse to watch colorful explosions and have a few sodas and snacks. Having come to the US 35 years ago after living in Italy and Morocco, Darakjy has a deep appreciation for the sacrifices that have gone into making America so special — and she feels that the true key to Americafest’s appeal is that it keeps the focus solidly on the nation’s military.
“I’ve raised funds to keep the event going for eight years now, because there was a point at which the organizers considered dropping it all because of the costs, and I want to see it continue at the Rose Bowl at least through my lifetime,” explained Darakjy. “I view the Fourth as a celebration that crosses all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds, because it’s a holiday we all celebrate and we have to pause and remember those who sacrificed so we can enjoy it.”
Darakjy also hopes that the multitudes who merely pay to park in the surrounding lots and watch the fireworks for free will still help defray the massive $400,000 cost incurred by not only the visual wonders but also the heavy security and other services involved in hosting tens of thousands of patriotic Americans each year. This year, event officials have raised $55,000 outside of ticket sales, a figure that Darakjy said is “great” amid a recession.
“But if we don’t make sure the city doesn’t lose money, this could all be gone,” Darakjy said. “And it’s both so very important and so entertaining that we should all strive to help support Americafest.”
Americafest runs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Bowl. Active-duty military members and their families are admitted free with current military ID, while general admission is $13, with children 7 and under admitted free. Preferred seat tickets are $25 each.
Following are other smaller-scale July Fourth events in the area:
The Kiwanis Club of South Pasadena kicks the day off with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday at the South Pasadena Fire Department, 817 Mound Ave., South Pasadena. Admission is $7. Call (626) 818-8000 or visit cityofsouthpasadena.gov.
Sierra Madre gets into the swing of things at 8 a.m. as the Sierra Madre Women’s Club hosts an open house before the town’s 10 a.m. Fourth of July Parade leads into outdoor games and festivities from noon to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. A food and beer garden is also available at the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free, but to get directions to the club and parade call (626) 355-7394 or visit sierramadrechamber.com.
Altadena offers a free 7 p.m. concert of patriotic music performed by the Elks No. 99 Concert Band at Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., Altadena. Call (626) 296-2105 or visit altadenasheriffs.blogspot.com.
South Pasadena is so filled with holiday spirit that it’s throwing two events: a free Festival of Balloons Parade at 8 a.m. at the intersection of Mission and Diamond streets and an official South Pasadena Fireworks Show at 9 p.m. at South Pasadena High School, between Diamond and Meridian avenues. Cost is $10. Call (626) 818-8000 or visit cityofsouthpasadena.gov.
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