Rocking the Weekend
Jul 06, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Patrick Larenas
Rancho Cordova's Fourth of July Fireworks show is a real crowd-pleaser, bringing people back to Hagan Park year after year. Photo by Jose Lopez
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – Fourth of July celebrations rocked Hagan Community Park and Coloma Road as Rancho Cordova held its 37th Annual Parade and Fireworks this past weekend.
The Independence Day festivities were held on Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4 this year with large crowds drawn to the carnival rides and Los Moralitos Circus acts as some of the most salient features of Rancho Cordova’s grand event.
“We go big here!” exclaimed Rancho Cordova Mayor Donald Terry, referring to what has come to be known as “the biggest fireworks [event] in the region by far.”
Cordova Parks and Recreation Director Rick Sloan said the event was successful with Sunday being absolutely “packed at capacity [with] people who could hardly find parking,” while the weather eased things a bit with a cooler first night and a somewhat warmer second night.
Southern rock band Cripple Creek played Sunday night and Queen tribute band Queen Nation rocked the park Monday night "' both prior to the spectacular fireworks display for which the celebration is so well known.
The July parade held Monday morning was led by 2022 Grand Marshal Bob McGarvey aboard the red Mills Fire District Engine No. 1, followed by vehicles including Mayor Terry with his wife Angela in a vintage convertible Mustang, City Manager Cyrus Abhar accompanied by Assistant Chief of Police Matt Tamayo in a newer Mustang and many floats in their wake.
Former 2019 Rancho Cordovan of the Year Curt Haven emceed the parade as some six high school marching bands provided the sounds patriots just loved.
Cordova Community Council Executive Director Shelly Blanchard commented on the 4th of July weekend which has come to be known in Rancho Cordova as the “signature event for the community”.
“We are still looking at the data,” said Blanchard, “but it looks like we had about 20,000 [attendees] in Hagan Park over the two days enjoying amazing weather, beautiful scenery and lots of fun things to do. It is shaping up to be a record-setting year and we are so excited to say that Rancho Cordova Fourth of July is back!”
