Where to Look for Celebrations and Fireworks This 4th of July

Porterville

July 4th events come early to Porterville this year when the town celebrates Freedom Fest on Saturday, June 28 from 5 to 9:30 at the Porterville Sports Complex.

There will be a beer garden and vendor booths for adults. The kids’ zone includes a giant splash slide, dive n' slide, Jacob's Ladder, a bounce house, dunk tank, obstacle course and a cool off with the Porterville Fire Department.

Car loads are $5 in advance or $10 at the gate. Wristbands for the kids’ zone are $3 in advance or $5 on the day of the event.

The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for their comfort. For more information call Porterville Parks and Leisure, 791-7695.

Woodlake

Woodlake celebrates a day early, holding its July 3rd Blast this year at a new location at Miller Brown City Park in Downtown Woodlake starting at 6 pm. The free event, sponsored by the Woodlake Kiwanis Club, features bounce houses, live music, a kids play area, food vendors and beer garden, and of course, fireworks. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and shade, but no ice chests are allowed.

Enter the raffle to win a family four-pack hopper pass to Disneyland. Proceeds from the $1 tickets support the July 3 event. The first 50 donors to the Central California Blood Mobile that night will receive free dinners, courtesy of the Woodlake Kiwanis Club.

Exeter

The 4th of July is always a big day in Exeter, with an all-day event in Exeter City Park. It starts with a 10K run and pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Following is a day of fun with arts and crafts booths, live music and other entertainment, kids’ activities and lots of food booths from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The evening brings fireworks to Lion’s Stadium, compliments of the Exeter Lion’s Club. The park opens at 6 p.m. with food concessions. Fireworks begin at dusk. There is no cost for parking or viewing of fireworks. Spectators are invited to bring this own chairs and blankets. For more information call the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, 592-2919.

Visalia

In Visalia, the 4th of July Freedom Celebration takes place in the Giant Chevrolet Cadillac Mineral King Bowl. The event is sponsored by the Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation and the City of Visalia Department of Parks and Recreation.

From 6:30 to 9 p.m. there will be live music by Run 4 Cover and tasty food vendors. Fireworks will follow. A $3 donation per person is suggested. For more information call Visalia Department of Parks and Recreation, 713-4365.

Hanford

Hanford will celebrate in the afternoon of the 4th at the Earl F. Johnson Park with a car show, food, games, a bounce house and vendor booths. The band 82 Deluxe will perform from 6-8 p.m. In the evening, the party can move across the street to the Hanford High School field for more food booths and the fireworks show which starts at 9 p.m. For more information call the Hanford Chamber of Commerce, 582-0483.