The Tokay Rotary Club's cow boat takes a cruise during the Milk Carton Regatta at Lodi's 4th at the Lake Celebration in July 2005. (News-Sentinel file photo)

Fireworks and Fourth of July celebration return to Lodi Lake

Last year, the Lodi-Tokay Rotary Club announced it was done with putting on a Fourth of July celebration.

The event was just too much work, and club members were tired of being criticized from locals who didn't like paying admission and having to get through the fences that lined the park.

After the group backed out, Lodi's Fourth festivities were in question until the city of Lodi assured residents that fireworks would explode above the lake this year.

To that end, the city has taken the lead on organizing a free event that will last all day and culminate with a fireworks display. Two private groups have also joined together to host an event on the north side of the lake.

The major change from previous years is that parking will be at a premium. With the city launching fireworks from the vacant lot to the west of the park, the area will be closed to parking. Steve Dutra, Lodi's parks supervisor, said the area could accommodate several hundred vehicles.

"We have no parking arranged," he said. "Everyone is on their own."

Lodi Lake park will open at 7 a.m., and the Kiwanis group will offer its traditional pancake breakfast on the south side of the lake.

To the north, Lodi Rotary and supporters of the World of Wonders Science Museum are hosting a "family friendly, patriotic event" that begins at noon.

Pastor Dale Edwards, a member of Lodi Rotary, said after the city of Lodi announced it would provide for a Fourth of July celebration at the lake, his group and the museum supporters also decided to organize an event.

"When everything came back to being at the lake, myself and Sally Snyde, we got our heads together and thought maybe we could create something that wouldn't be as big," he said.

Snyde is the one of the lead supporters of the museum. She and others are raising funds to open the hands-on science museum in Downtown Lodi.

The Fourth of July celebration will help support reaching that goal.

Fourth of July at the Lake

Fireworks explode and light up the sky. (News-Sentinel file photo)

Lodi Lake will be home to two Fourth of July celebrations this year, one organized by the city of Lodi and one put together by the Lodi Rotary Club and the World of Wonders Science Museum.

City of Lodi event
Admission: free.
Opens: 7 a.m.
Events: Kiwanis pancake breakfast, swimming, picnics and boating.

Fourth of July at the Lake — An American Celebration
Admission: $6, children under 12 free
Opens: Noon.
Events: Concerts, hands-on science demonstrations, games, beer garden and food vendors.

The event will feature patriotic music, food and hands-on science exhibits provided by the World of Wonders group. The day's activities will conclude with a patriotic concert that will segue to the night's fireworks.

Edwards said the event is not designed to be like Fourth of July celebrations from previous years, but will be more like the Field and Fair Days, which were once held on the lawns near Hutchins Street Square.

Admission will be $6, and children under the age of 12 can enter free.

Edwards said there will be several food booths at the celebration as well as a beer garden. Those who attend are welcome to bring their own food and drink, but no alcoholic beverages or glass containers.

The city of Lodi is also keeping a tight lid on what can, and cannot, be brought into the lake. Dutra said Lodi police officers will be manning security checkpoints at the park's three gates to ensure no alcohol, weapons, pets, cans, bottles, fishing rods or any other prohibited items get into the park.

He said people can bring plastic beverage containers.

Because the city is opening the park for free, Dutra said boating and swimming will only be available for a fee. He said swimming will be allowed from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and boat rentals will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dutra said the workers who help with the boats are needed to assist with the fireworks. He added the lake will be closed to all boats not owned by the city.