In a letter to his wife in 1776, John Adams predicted that America’s Independence Day would eventually be celebrated with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports… bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
And he was right.
Here’s a full comprehensive list of the Fourth of July celebrations in the greater Pasadena area sorted out by their approximate distance from Colorado Boulevard (Colorado Blvd and Los Robles.)
– Pasadena @ the Rose Bowl: Americafest
2 p.m.: Festival begins outside the stadium in Area H.
7 p.m.: Live motorcycle stunts and special musical performances by Grammy Nominated Liverpool Legends (Louise Harrison’s hand picked Ultimate Beatles Experience) and Teen Idol singing star Ian Thomas.
9 p.m.: The largest fireworks show in Southern California.
Free Spots to watch the fireworks:
♦ Colorado Street Bridge is a good place to see the Rose Bowl display for free.
♦ The hill above the Rose Bowl parking lots is a place where spectators gather to watch the Fireworks. It’s quite a walk to get to it but it is worth it.
♦ Parking lot at Pasadena Art Center College of Design (1700 Lida St.) is a place to view fireworks displays in the valley below and beyond. [Update: Facebook user, Ariel Bustamante, pointed out that ACCD is closed on the 4th, specifically to deter people from going there to view the fireworks.]
Rose Bowl Stadium, Rose Bowl Drive at North Arroyo Boulevard. Tickets are $17-$34. For info: 626-577-3100 or www.rosebowlstadium.com/events
– South Pasadena
7 – 10 a.m. Pancake breakfast from Kiwanis at fire station, 817 Mound Ave. $7.
7:45 – 8 a.m. Greenest Fastest Mile down Mission Street
10:30 a.m. Festival of Balloons @ footsteps of the South Pasadena Library Community Room, 1100 Oxley St.
11 a.m. Parade on Mission Street.
12 – 3 p.m. Music, food, games and activities @ Garfield Park, 1750 Mission St. Tickets will be on sale for fireworks show.
5:30 p.m. Gates open at South Pasadena High School.
1401 Fremont Ave. for 9 p.m. firework show. South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, 626-441-2339.
– Altadena
July 2nd:
9:30 p.m. “Early” fireworks on display @ the Altadena Town & Country Club.
Altadena Town & Country Club – 2290 Country Club Drive, Altadena, CA 91001
– San Marino
Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Road: food booths, fun zone, stage entertainment.
9 p.m. Fireworks.
Must have wristband, available for $5 presale at Parks and Recreation, City Hall and Crowell Library. Need to bring proof of San Marino residency. Wristband purchase day of event is $20.
– Alhambra
1 p.m. Carnival games and live entertainment by the Bolts Band. Guests may bring picnics or visit food vendors. 7:30 p.m. No dogs or alcohol.
9 p.m. Fireworks
Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor St. www.cityofalhambra.org
– San Gabriel
9:30 a.m. Parade @ Plaza Park, 428 S. Mission Drive, in front of the San Gabriel Mission and continues north through the Mission District, turns east on Broadway and ends at Smith Park, 232 W. Broadway. Kids are invited to decorate their tricycles, bicycles, scooters or walk in the parade. Must register to be in the parade.
Free activities at Smith Park include a watermelon eating contest, barbecue, games, entertainment and food vendors.
For more information, San Gabriel Parks and Recreation Department, 626-308-2875.
– Monterey Park
3:00 p.m. Food, craft and game booths open.
4:00 p.m. Monterey Park Concert Band.
5:15 p.m. Recognition of new citizens, military families and dignitaries.
6:30 p.m. Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal Boys’ Choir School.
7:15 p.m. Rudy Macias Band (classic rock and R&B hits)
9:00 p.m. Fireworks show.
For info: 626-307-1388 or www.montereypark.ca.gov
– Sierra Madre
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Annual Fourth of July parade
Featuring community members, classic cars, marching band, kids on decorated bikes. Parade route begins corner of Sierra Madre Boulevard and travels to Sierra Vista Park.
For info: 626-355-5278.
– Temple City
July 2nd:
6 p.m. Patriotic Picnic contest during Concerts in the Park with free hot dogs and chips for the first 500 guests.
6:30 p.m. Patriotic picnic judging
Show your patriotic spirit by decorating your seating area in red, white and blue or come dressed in your best patriotic attire. Prizes include 4th of July yard sign and gift bag.
7 p.m. The Wartime Radio Revue USO Show.
Temple City Park, 9701 Las Tunas Drive.
– Rosemead
10 a.m. Parade at Muscatel Avenue and Valley Boulevard and ends at Rosemead Park.
12 p.m. Carnival in the park with rides and food. Wristbands for carnival rides are available until July 3 for $12 at City Hall. Other events are free.
5 p.m. Opening ceremonies followed by live entertainment.
9 p.m. Fireworks.
– Monrovia
3 p.m. Entertainment @ Library Park.
7 – 8:30 p.m. Stone Soul Band
9 p.m. Fireworks.
Library park, 321 S. Myrtle Ave. (Spectators may reserve a park space no larger than 10 X 10 feet.)
– 2nd Annual Block Party @ Grand Park
Take the Gold Line and enjoy the block party celebration in downtown L.A. This year the party expands from Temple to Second Streets.
1 p.m. Picnickers may arrive (alcohol is not permitted.) Onsite food vendors.
4- 9 p.m. Live music on two stages, headlined by Phantogram, and Semi Precious Weapons.
9 p.m. (sharp) Fireworks.
For info (213) 473-7014. Entrances at 200 N. Grand Ave., 221 N. Hill St., 221 N. Broadway and 227 N. Spring St., http://grandparkla.org/
[This article has been updated to include ACCD parking lot clarification – July 1, 2014 12:11 p.m.]
ACCD is closed on the 4th, specifically to deter people from going there to view