A young rider beams while leading a group of paradegoers during last year’s Yuba City’s Fourth of July Children’s Bike Parade, his bike decked out in festive stars and stripes. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (MPG) - America’s 250th birthday will bring two nights of celebration to Yuba-Sutter, featuring fireworks, food trucks, live entertainment, birthday cake, a salute to veterans and what organizers say will be the region’s first drone show.

The Heart of America 250th Birthday Festival is scheduled for July 3 and 4, with events planned at Beckwourth Riverfront Park in Marysville and the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City. The regional effort has brought together local cities, counties, community partners and event organizers who have spent months preparing for the milestone celebration.

“It’s been a huge effort,” said Kary Hauck, CEO of Sapphire Marketing & Sign Co. and one of the event organizers. “We’ve been meeting monthly with every county administrator and city manager in the region.”

Hauck said about 60 municipalities are involved in the broader regional effort, with support from partners including the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, SAYLove and local media outlets.

The celebration begins at 5 p.m. July 3 with a fireworks show at Beckwourth Riverfront Park. The evening will include food trucks, live entertainment and birthday cake for attendees. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. A flyover from Beale Air Force Base has been requested but had not been confirmed as of press time.

The fireworks display is expected to be larger than in previous years because of the nation’s 250th birthday. The annual show is funded by the cities of Yuba City and Marysville and the counties of Sutter and Yuba.

“Typically each year, we spend about $28,000,” Hauck said. “This year, they increased the budget because of it being the 250th birthday. So it’s a $42,000 show. We’re expecting higher fireworks and I asked for bigger mortars, so you’ll see a higher and longer show.”

Young participants cruise down Plumas Street in a patriotic Power Wheels Jeep, proudly flying American flags during last year’s Yuba City’s Fourth of July Children’s Bike Parade. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

The celebration continues July 4 at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds from 5 to 10 p.m. Activities will include food trucks, a children’s area, live entertainment, a car show and a special salute to veterans.

At 9:45 p.m., attendees will look skyward for the region’s first drone show, presented by Electric Sky. Organizers said the performance will feature 250 drones creating a series of choreographed images tied to local landmarks, Independence Day and the “Freedom 250” theme.

“It may be the American flag. It may be some stars and stripes. It could be the Statue of Liberty. It could be the Liberty Bell. It could be the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” Hauck said. “It’s all of these different images formed by lights in the sky and choreographed to music.”

The drone show will also provide an alternative for people with sound sensitivities and for families concerned about pets and other animals affected by traditional fireworks.

In addition to the two-day festival, several long-standing Independence Day traditions will continue across the region.

Yuba City’s annual Children’s Fourth of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 in downtown Yuba City. Children are invited to decorate bicycles, scooters, wagons and strollers in red, white and blue and ride from Plumas and Center streets to the Town Square Fountain. A free hot dog lunch and popsicles will be provided, and the Yuba Sutter Symphony will perform a patriotic concert following the parade.

In Wheatland, the Wheatland Lions Club will host its Fourth of July Barbecue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4 at C Street Park. The event will feature food, bingo hosted by American Legion Bear River Post No. 789, a quilt raffle and additional prize drawings.

Hauck said organizers hope residents take advantage of the many local opportunities to celebrate the holiday.

More information about the Heart of America 250th Birthday Festival is available at http://YubaSutterCelebrates.com.