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Why Benicians Don’t Leave Town For The 4th
July 1st, 2009 categories: Benicia, Local Stuff
When our kids were growing up, they never wanted to go away over the 4th of July. No they weren’t anti-social. And yes they liked to have fun just as much as the next kid.
No, the reason they wanted to stay home is because no one really does the 4th of July like Benicia.
It’s part Mayberry RFD, part Norman Rockwell Americana and even a little part Disneyland.
In fact, speaking of Disney, about a dozen years ago or so, the Disney Channel actually came to Benicia to film our 3rd of July Torchlight Parade for a network promo showing that Small Town America was alive and well.
Benicia’s Independence Day Celebration actually runs about a day and a half. It all begins early the day of July 3rd, when the townsfolk begin to set up camp all along First St. and on the City Park lawn in preparation for the parade that evening.
Literally the entire town shows up for the parade, with everything from cotton candy, pink popcorn (my favorite) and pop rocks being hawked by vendors along the parade route.
On the 4th itself, everyone reconvenes downtown for an old-fashioned Picnic In The Park, which takes place at — you guessed it: the City Park. There’s an ongoing schedule of entertainment in front of the gazebo all afternoon long. Plus food and beverage booths and even a craft fair on the West K St. side of the park.
The grand finale — and what any 4th of July Celebration worth its salt has to have — takes place down at the waterfront at nightfall. I’m of course talking about the always-spectacular fireworks show over the water.
So around dusk, most of the townpeople migrate to the waterfront to watch the rocket’s red glare directly overhead. Some, though, prefer to bring their lawn chairs to a favorite spot on one of the hills in Southampton, where they can watch the Benicia show and perhaps even also get a faraway view of the fireworks displays in Contra Costa at the same time.
If you’ve never visited Benicia over July 3rd and 4th, don’t miss it. But just don’t be surprised if you never want to leave.
More Info: Benicia Main Street Program (707-745-9791)
Related Reading: CB Kazoo Band Getting Ready for Torchlight Parade
