The National City Host Lions Club 4th of July Carnival will run from July 3 – 7 at Kimball Park. The fireworks are scheduled for July 4.
The carnival will offer rides, games, entertainment and food.
“I want to invite all the members of the community to come out, to celebrate our nation’s independence and the beauty and traditions of our 4th of July carnival at Kimball Park,” said National City Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis.
National City Host Lions Cub members and coordinators offered perspective and details.
“This has been an ongoing carnival with the Lions and the city of National City,” said Frank Parra. “It’s a traditional carnival—rides, a giant ferris wheel, a giant slide, a haunted house, and rides for the little ones, a little carousel.”
“It’s pay-one-price every day except for the 4th,” Parra added.
The pricing for a wrist band is normally $25 but attendees can pay $20 per wristband by visiting and purchasing one at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego or Wrigley’s Supermarket.
According to the carnival’s booth chairman Brian Clapper, the attendance last year for the multi day festival attracted more than 35,000 people.
“We’re going to have 24 booths, a variety of multicultural foods – Filipino, Mexican, BBQ, and fried foods such as okra and fish,” Clapper said.
Some of the booths will be run by the Wesleyan church, National City Chamber of Commerce, Sweetwater High School cheer and football teams, Ledesma’s Food, and Sion Centro Cristiano, to name a few.
Hours will run Wednesday- 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday 12 p.m. – midnight; Friday 3-11 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 1-11 p.m., the 4th of July fireworks will be at 9 p.m.
Kimball Park is located at east 12th and D streets in National City. Parking is free at Kimball Park and the surrounding area.
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Chula Vista’s 4th Fest, on the 4th of July, will be held at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. Gates open at 6 p.m.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the Chula Vista 4th Fest with another great fireworks display at the Elite Athlete Training Center,” said mayor Mary Casillas Salas in an email.
The fireworks show will be put on by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza.
“The show will be 16-18 minutes with lots of displays in patriotic colors,” said fireworks show producer Sam Bruggema. The company is based in Rialto but has an office in San Diego county.
The fireworks display, according to Bruggema, costs around $20,000.
He said knowing the names of each aerial shell would add to the enjoyment of the show. He says they are “goofy.”
“One is named the Red & Silver Ghost Peony with a blue pistol. Silver Diadem red and blue small flowers, Reddish Gomboge to crackling, and Nishiki Kamuro with a strobing pistol,” he said.
The event is free and open to the public. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be set off with synchronized music on 91X-San Diego, Z90.3-San Diego, and Magic 92.5 San Diego.
No alcohol is allowed on the training center campus at 2800 Olympic Parkway.
All vehicles and pedestrians will be searched upon entry.
Parking is set at $10 and the CVEATC only has 400 parking spots available.
Food trucks will be available for attendees.
Free parking can be located at New Hope Church at 2720 Olympic Parkway.
