Picnic, Fireworks on 4th of July
Program

Ramona Rotary will offer its 13th annual Family Picnic & Fireworks on July 4, from 5 to 9 p.m., on the soccer field behind Olive Peirce Middle School.

There is no admission charge, and the vendors are local nonprofit groups, ensuring that any funds spent at the food and game booths go right back into the Ramona community, says David Baker, chairman of this year’s event.

Viewers are invited to bring blankets and low-backed chairs and enjoy the late-afternoon and evening fun, celebrating our country’s independence. KYXY radio (FM 96.5) will simulcast patriotic music as the fireworks show fills the skies above Ramona, and portable radios are welcome.

The Rotary event will include a variety of activities, games and contests for all ages, and there will be a patriotic presentation at 7 p.m.

Among the groups setting up booths (as of press time) are Ramona High School Grad Nite, Boy Scout Troop 768, Ramona Ag Boosters, Ramona Band Boosters, Ramona Chamber Ambassadors, Soroptimist of Ramona, Knights of Columbus and the Ramona Trails Association. Once again, Ramona Rotary’s sister club from Tijuana will offer its highly popular homemade Mexican foods.

Only those vendors who signed up for a booth in advance will be allowed to sell or give away items, and smoking and alcohol are not allowed on the school grounds.

Parking is free, but limited, and traffic gets heaviest as it gets closer to the 9 p.m. start of the fireworks show. Early arrival is recommended — or you might end up watching the skyshow from inside your car.

It costs almost $18,000 to put on the event, with the fireworks costing $13,500 alone. Among the sponsors helping to put on this year’s show (as of press time) are $1,000 donors Ramona Home Journal, Charles Walters, Southwest Landscape Supply, Ramona Disposal and Hawthorne Equipment Rental.

Other key donors include Ransom Pump & Supply, Patriot Propane, European Portable Sanitation Service, San Vicente Inn & Golf Club, Riviera Oaks, Ideas in Wood, Adobe Animal Hospital, Bonham Brothers & Stewart Mortuary, BJ’s Rentals and One-Stop Equipment Rental.

Other donors ($200 and up) at press time were Walker Communications & Media Services, Ramona Ramblers, Farmers Insurance/William Jenkin Agency, Rancho Sin Nombre, Ramona Soroptimists, Inkwell Tattoo & Body Piercing, Wateridge Insurance, Sal’s Ace Plumbing & Hardware, Ramona Sizzler and Diamond D Feed & Supply, Karen Clendenen/Century 21, Union Bank of California, Boys & Girls Club of Ramona and Ransom Bros. Lumber.

A complete list of sponsors ($200 and up) will be published in a “Rotary Says Thanks” advertisement in the next issue.