July 2, 2010 > Celebrate! Celebrate! As a country, the United States of America is relatively young, but in its youth, this Land of Opportunity has shown strength and resilience. Celebrating 234 years on July 4 of this year, the Greater Tri-City area has planned a plethora of activities to supplement private BBQs and family gatherings. Celebrating traditions of the original 13 American colonies is one piece of July 4th as citizens with ties throughout the world add a slice of their diverse cultures to the party. A host of events are open to everyone. Morning can begin with a pancake breakfast, a parade, followed by an afternoon and evening of picnics, old-fashion contests and demonstrations, a swim party and, of course, fireworks (in selected locations). Tri-City Voice wishes everyone a safe and fun-filled Fourth of July! NEWARK Firefighters Pancake Breakfast: The Alameda County Firefighters Association Local 55 serves up the holiday with the 9th Annual Firehouse Pancake Breakfast. This popular event raises funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Newark Firefighters Charitable Fund. There will be a raffle and kid's corner, along with an antique fire engine on display. The breakfast cost $5 and is sponsored by Starbucks, IHOP, and Tri-City Voice. Firehouse Pancake Breakfast Sunday, July 4 8 a.m. to noon Newark Fire Station # 27 39039 Cherry St., Newark (510) 742-4480 Cost: $5 FREMONT Parade: The Annual Fremont 4th of July Parade marches through the Mission San Jose District this year with over 85 entries, including floats, balloons, marching bands, equestrian units, drum and bugle corps, and unique community entries. Presiding over the event as Grand Marshal is KGO-TV's Spencer Christian. The parade starts on Mission Boulevard at Pine Street, and proceeds northward on Mission, left on Washington Boulevard, down Ellsworth Street, circling back to Pine Street. Streets will be closed from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Over 10,000 spectators are expected to attend this fun, free, family-friendly event, so plan to arrive early to claim your spot. Fremont 4th of July Parade "Stars and Stripes Forever" Sunday, July 4 10 a.m. Mission San Jose District Mission Blvd. at Pine St., Fremont www.fremont4th.org Ardenwood Historic Farm: Step back in time and celebrate Independence Day 1900s style at Ardenwood Historic Farm. This community festival will feature patriotic tunes from a brass band on the Patterson House lawn as well as fiddle music in the farmyard. Test your skill at nail driving, watermelon seed spitting, tug-of-war, egg toss, pie eating and more. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day of high-spirited fun. Adult admission is $8, $6 for seniors 62 and over, $5 for children 4 to 17, and children under four are free. Independence Day Celebration Sunday, July 4 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ardenwood Historic Farm 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont (510) 544-2797 Cost: $5-$8 HAYWARD Festival and Chili Cook-off: South Hayward Lions Club and BART are sponsoring the 47th Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July Festival and 1st Annual Chili Cook-off. The celebration will be held in the Hayward BART parking lot, between A and B Streets, offering games, rides, live music, and chili tasting. Old-Fashioned 4th of July Festival and Chili Cook-off Sunday, July 4 11 a.m. Hayward BART 699 B Street, Hayward Cost: $2 admission (includes four chili samples) Meek Park Celebration: Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) and the Cherryland Community Association invite you to celebrate the holiday with a family-friendly picnic in Meek Park. Kids can participate in old-fashioned games and a History Hunt around the park, and the historic Meek Mansion will be open for tours. Tour admission costs $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and HAHS members and children under 10 are free. Bring your picnic lunch or purchase hot dogs and soda on site, while enjoying free live music courtesy of The Banjo Racketeers. 4th of July at Meek Park Sunday, July 4 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meek Park 240 Hampton Road, Hayward (510) 581-0223 Cost: mansion tour $3-$5 MILPITAS Pool Party, Concert and Fireworks: Milpitas Sports Center is celebrating July 4th with a day full of fun and free activities. "Waving the Red, White and Blue" Pool Party runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. offering music and games alongside water activity. Milpitas Firefighters Local 1699 is selling a hot dog lunch at the Pool Party from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; hot dog, chips and drink cost $2. A concert by JamFunkShus begins at 7:30 p.m. (gates open at 7), and "Red, White & Boom" fireworks display lights up the sky at 9:30 p.m. As space for concert and fireworks is limited, only the first 10,000 will be admitted. Picnic dinners are welcome, and some food will be available for purchase. There are no "in and out" privileges, no alcohol, glass bottles, dogs or animals allowed at the event. No barbecuing or tailgating is allowed in the parking lot. 4th of July Concert, Pool Party, and Fireworks Sunday, July 4 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Milpitas Sports Center 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas (408) 586-3210 Free