Kids Parade and more, 4th of July in Tehachapi

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

This year's new title sponsor is Kaiser Permanente, serving over 7,000 members in the Tehachapi community and operating a medical office in the City of Tehachapi, Kaiser Permanente is combining cutting-edge technology with a focus on disease prevention.

"We are proud of our partnership with the City of Tehachapi and excited to take part in this year's 4th of July Festival," said Maybelle S. Liquigan, senior vice president, Kaiser Permanente Kern County. "We encourage the community and their families to come out and safely celebrate a fun-filled day of activities."

The festival 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 always a popular event. 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 on Thursdays until the event.

In addition to the pancake breakfast, the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District are 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 the 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, which will showcase local vendors and small businesses at 8 a.m. Back by popular demand is an entertainment lineup that includes local artists Averee Napier, Tom Carlson and local Americana band The Salt River Cats. The Tehachapi VALLEY WRESTLING CLUB will also be hosting their annual beer garden fundraiser and American Legion Post 221 will be hosting the "Wall of Valor" at the Central Park Gazebo.

Returning for the first time since 2019 is the "Kids Parade" that will showcase the patriotism of Tehachapi's youngest residents on non-motorized bicycles, scooters, skateboards and wagons. The parade staging area will be the public parking lot on the corner of Robinson and F Street across from City Hall. Kids can decorate their parade entries on site starting at 10 a.m., the parade will begin at 11 a.m. led by the Tehachapi Police Department and proceed south on Robinson Street before turning onto the sidewalk at the Wells Education Center on E Street and continuing into Central Park. Parade entrants are then encouraged to join the stage at noon to lead the festival in the pledge of allegiance to kick off the ceremonies.

"Each year we continue to find ways to improve this festival and provide a hometown feel on this wonderful holiday, the kids parade was something that had been requested over the last few years and we are excited to return it to the festivities this year," said Corey Costelloe, Assistant City Manager. "This is a great opportunity to celebrate our nation and our community."

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. 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 and Kaiser Permanente. It 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 has been a festival supporter providing refuse, recycling and sanitation services since their arrival to Tehachapi in 2017.