Advertisement

Fourth of July picnic, fireworks show entertains a large crowd in Ramona

Share

A large crowd was on hand to view this year’s fireworks display at the 31st annual July 4th Family Picnic and Fireworks Show in Ramona.

The Independence Day celebration set a record for number of attendees to date, said Susan White, the event’s chairperson.

“I was surprised because I thought the heat might affect us, but it didn’t,” White said. “It was probably the largest crowd we ever had. By 7 p.m. the floodgates opened and it was incredible to see how many people were packed in there. It was locals and people who traveled from Borrego Springs, Julian, Oceanside and one attendee came from as far as Chula Vista.”

The event hosts — Ramona Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Ramona and Ramona Rotary Club — hit their fundraising goal of $45,000 to be able to put on the fireworks display, White said.

“It looked like everyone was having a great time,” said White, who is a chamber board member, Kiwanian and Rotarian.

Locals and tourists gathered on the lawn behind Olive Peirce Middle School to have a picnic and play games before the start of the 9 p.m. fireworks show.

They could buy products from vendors that included soap and skin care products, woodworking handicrafts, knitted items and candles.

Julian resident Felecia McGowian sold soaps and skin care products for her mobile business, Aniya Soap Shop LLC. Three of her daughters who helped out — Aniya Flenoy, Amani Flenoy and Aja Flenoy.

Chula Vista resident Lisa Husted came to the event with her son, Jayden Husted, 12. Husted said she heard about the “cute” community gathering with music, fireworks and a family atmosphere. She thought it would be a good way to enjoy the Fourth without having to fight traffic congestion and pay for parking.

“I wanted to make it a fun holiday,” Lisa Husted said.

Kaitlin Flandro decided to take part in the event while visiting from South Carolina. She was in the area to see her best friend, who lives in Ramona, and her dad, who lives in Santee.

Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps students from Ramona High School were among the young people who participated in the event. They were there to fulfill community service duties by setting up barricades on the main roads, putting out trash containers and helping with the clean-up after the event.

Other volunteers included Rotarians, who managed parking for the first time this year after Kiwanians managed it for over a decade.

Ramona resident Mila Gil, 7, performed for the Pop Warner Cheer team and stayed to see the fireworks.

The Montecito High School construction program donated an 8-foot by 8-foot shed won by Debra Frazier in a raffle. The contest raised $7,000 for the fireworks fund, White said. Businesses and individuals also donated items for opportunity drawing baskets that raised roughly $2,000, she said.

“This event is funded by the community for the community and we couldn’t have done this without major donations and sponsorships,” White said. “It’s a full community effort in that aspect. It’s all of us coming together to make it possible.”

Advertisement

At a time when local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential. If you are able to, please support the Ramona Sentinel today.