(TRACY, CA) – Celebrate an old-fashioned Independence Day in Tracy as the Tracy Chamber of Commerce and City of Tracy hold the San Joaquin County’s largest Fourth of July event. The free Tracy Independence Day celebration is an all day event, starting at 6 a.m. with Hot Air Balloons and a Pancake Breakfast in Lincoln Park.


The festivities kick into high gear with a parade through historic downtown Tracy ending up at Lincoln Park for the opening ceremonies. Mayor Brent Ives will welcome the public and Tracy’s first ever Lil’ Miss and Lil’ Mr. 4th of July contest will be held.

Some of the highlights will include a hamburger cook-off, pie baking, and Buffalo Wings eating competitions. During the Buffalo Wings eating competition, a grudge match will be held against the Tracy Police and Fire Department. The Tracy Police Department is looking for redemption after losing to the firefighters a few months ago during a blood drive competition. There will also be a three-way competition between the football teams of Tracy, Merrill F. West, and Millennium High.

The day will be full of entertainment on the community stage. Kids can also spend the day in the carnival area. Tracy community favorites, Sparkles and Ravioli the Clowns will also be on hand to delight families. The public can also spend the day shopping from the many commercial arts and craft vendors on display.
When the sun goes down the anticipation will rise as the Tracy sky will be lit up by the fireworks of Fireworks & Stage FX America,www.fireworksamerica.com. The company is located in the San Diego area, but houses its main distribution warehouse in Tracy. Fireworks & Stage FX America has spent years building up it resume with shows that include:
Super Bowl XXXVII, Sea World, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Paramount's Great America Park, The San Diego Padres, The Sacramento Kings and San Diego Chargers.

This is the first year Fireworks & Stage FX America has held a show in Tracy. At 5:30 p.m., the Tracy High Football Stadium will open to for the public who wants to get the best views of the show. The public will be allowed onto the field to find a seat on the grass. There is a small entrance fee at Tracy High of $3 for adults (ages 13 and up); $1 for children (ages 2 to 12) and Seniors (65+).

The national anthem will be played at 9:15 p.m., to signal the beginning of the show. The fireworks show will begin at 9:20 p.m. For more information contact the Tracy Chamber of Commerce at (209) 835-2131.
             (http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us)