The 74th annual 4th of July Parade by the Peninsula Celebration Association – a Family 4th – is the premier holiday parade in the entire region. And for 2012, the parade moves back to the heart of Downtown Redwood City, bringing thousands of excited spectators to see an incredible array of parade participants, floats, and festivities! The parade and festival returns to be part of the wonderful renaissance of our Downtown core, with its great array of restaurants, shops, theaters, and more. Plus, fireworks return for the 4th of July, launched from the Port of Redwood City!

A map of the new parade route is online at www.parade.org or www.redwoodcity.org/parade2012.pdf . The parade begins at 10 am, and the route starts on Marshall Street at the corner of Winslow Street, and continues on Marshall, Main Street, Middlefield Road, Winslow Street, Broadway, and onto Arguello Street where it ends near Alden Street. The theme of the 2012 parade is “Salute to Agriculture” and it offers a great look back at some of Redwood City’s past, as it winds its way throughout our historic Downtown. The 26th annual Independence Day Festival will cover several square blocks in the heart of Downtown Redwood City, starting at 9 am (parts of Broadway, Hamilton, Middlefield, Jefferson, and in Courthouse Square). Filled with arts and crafts, food and beverages, kids’ activities, and a whole lot of good old fashioned family fun, the festival is the place to be on the 4th of July! Plus the annual 4th of July carnival, coordinated by the Woodside Terrace Kiwanis Club, will be at its usual location, in the parking lot at Veterans Blvd. and Winslow Street.

The 4th of July fireworks are back, and will be launched from the Port of Redwood City! This wonderful show is brought to the community by Redwood City with Red, White, and Blue Sponsorship by Sims Metal Management, and generous support from:

Lyngso , CEMEX , Cargill, Recology San Mateo County , Sares Regis , Informatica, One Marina – New Redwood City Housing , Kaiser , Two Anonymous Donors, The Pete and Paula Uccelli Foundation, The Port of Redwood City , The City of Redwood City

• The fireworks extravaganza will start at approximately 9:15 pm.
• The fireworks can be seen from Downtown and anywhere west of Highway 101 where there is a clear view of the skies above the Port. They can also be seen from high points all over the Peninsula.
• For those coming to the Port, early arrival is highly recommended! This area is mostly private property with very limited public parking.
• The Port is providing a public viewing area along the waterfront off of Seaport Court. Once all of the very limited public parking spaces are filled, Seaport Boulevard will be closed to all vehicle traffic at the intersection of Seaport/Blomquist. Once the intersection has been closed, no vehicle access to the Port area will be available. This traffic control restriction could occur as early as 7:30 pm – so be sure to plan accordingly.
• Alcohol is prohibited on-site at the fireworks show, and personal fireworks are illegal at all times in Redwood City.
• The Peninsula Celebration Association’s Family 4th is also an opportunity to volunteer and be part of making this event a great success – go to www.parade.org and click on “Volunteer!”

The entire community is invited to join in the Family 4th by the Peninsula Celebration Association, in cooperation with the City of Redwood City! Get all the details at www.parade.org

• Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #9 – 7:30 am (benefits the Redwood City Firefighters Association)
• 4th of July ParadeRun – 8:45 (www.paraderun.org – benefits the Redwood City Education Foundation)
• Festival – 9 am
• Parade – 10 am
• Fireworks – 9:15 pm