4th of July in Tehachapi

The City of Tehachapi is proud to once again host the All-American 4th of July Festival presented by AltaOne Federal Credit Union, with a full day of events on Monday, July 4th, culminating with the annual fireworks display at 9 p.m. originating from the Tehachapi Municipal Airport.

This year's title sponsor is AltaOne Federal Credit Union. For over 75 years, AltaOne has helped its members and communities thrive, through good times and bad, and has grown into one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Kern County. They are expanding their footprint in Tehachapi with the upcoming opening of their full-service Tucker Road Branch at 665 Tucker Road in June, with a grand opening celebration in July. The current location inside Albertsons has been open since 2007 and will become an Express Branch.

"We are excited to partner with the City of Tehachapi for the All-American 4th of July Festival. Being an active and supportive member of the community is at the heart of what we do," said AltaOne's Tehachapi Branch Manager Jessica Davidson.

The day begins with the Ed Grimes Memorial Pancake Breakfast at 8 a.m. at Central Park. This fundraiser for the Tehachapi High School Football program is named in honor of former Tehachapi Mayor Ed Grimes who spearheaded the efforts of this event for many years. Breakfast tickets are on sale through the THS football team and are available for $8. Players and coaches will also be selling tickets at the Tehachapi Farmer's Market in Downtown Tehachapi, Thursdays from June 9-30.

In addition to the pancake breakfast, the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District will once again be hosting the All-American 5K beginning with a mass start at 7 a.m. at the Steven Shy Activity Center at Central Park. Registration for that event is $45 and includes a t-shirt, finisher's medal and a pancake breakfast after the race. Participants can register online at http://www.tvrpd.org.

The All-American 4th of July Festival will begin at 11 a.m. at Central Park and includes food vendors, Mayor's welcome and National Anthem at Noon and craft vendors courtesy of the Tehachapi Valley Arts Association showcasing local vendors and small businesses. Back by popular demand is an entertainment lineup that includes local artists Averee Napier, Ryan Sillifant and Americana band Muleskinner Revival. The Tehachapi VALLEY WRESTLING CLUB will also be hosting their annual beer garden fundraiser at the Central Park Gazebo starting at noon.

"We aim to continue to provide a small-town 4th of July Festival and that includes local vendors, local music artists and support from both locals and visitors to our community," said Assistant City Manager and festival organizer Corey Costelloe. "These events are important to our culture as Americans along with our history as residents of Tehachapi. We take these opportunities to greet friends, make a few new ones and enjoy this patriotic celebration together at Central Park."

At the conclusion of the Central Park festivities at 4 p.m., the action shifts to the Tehachapi Rodeo & Event Center for the annual "Bad Bulls" bull riding event beginning at 6 p.m. presented by the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association. Gates will open at 4 p.m. for this event, which sold out in 2021 with record attendance. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at http://www.TehachapiProRodeo.com.

The evening culminates with the annual fireworks spectacular presented by the City of Tehachapi that originates adjacent to the Event Center at the Tehachapi Municipal Airport. This location provides for wonderful viewing opportunities from around the Tehachapi area. The City has once again contracted the services of Zambelli Fireworks for this patriotic display of freedom with the goal of making the show better each year.

The All-American 4th of July Festival is also supported by WM, providing refuse and recycling services to residents in the City of Tehachapi. WM was recently recognized as "Large Business of the Year" by the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce. WM has been a festival supporter providing refuse, recycling and sanitation services since their arrival to Tehachapi in 2017.