Independence Day - Fourth of July fireworks

As far as I know, there aren't any 4th of July Independence Day events at Shasta Lake itself such as fireworks or festivals. There is however a massive 4th of July Independence Day event in the City of Redding called the "Freedom Festival". The Freedom Festival is held on the lawn of the Redding Convention Center. It's an all-day event with live music and vendors that ends with a huge fireworks display at dark.

Redding is about 10 miles south of the lake. It's about 25 miles if you're driving from the town of Lakehead (Upper Sacramento Arm of the lake).

The Freedom Festival can be fun if you get there early in the day and stake out your spot with a sun-shade and some blankets. It can be very hectic if you plan on coming in the afternoon or evening however. Traffic is pretty bad and there probably won't be any parking at the event. I usually just park somewhere in downtown Redding and ride my bike to the festival. You could also park somewhere in the general area and walk in if you were traveling light.

To reach the Redding Convention Center you take the "44 west" exit from the i-5 freeway and head west on Highway 44 for one mile. You'll see the exit for "Auditorium Dr. & Park Marina Dr." (exit #1) just after you cross the Sacramento River.

Note: Many older maps and online maps still have the small stretch of freeway between i-5 and the Redding Convention Center listed as Highway 299 but it's now part of Highway 44. Highway 299 was re-routed through Redding using Market Street (Highway 273).

Note: The "Redding Convention Center" was called the "Civic Auditorium" at one time. That's why the street is called "Auditorium Drive".

If you want to see the fireworks but can't make it to the convention center you can watch them from other parts of Redding. Head into the general area at 10:00 p.m. and watch for the first fireworks. After you see where they're going up just cruise the main streets until you find a good viewing place.

Independence Day "Freedom Festival" Photos from July 4th, 2005

Here's a photo of the Redding fireworks being prepared for
the 2004 "Fourth of July Freedom Festival". The photo was taken on July 3, 2004.
(Click the photo for a larger version)

July 4th Freedom Festival 2007
in Redding, California

On Wednesday, July 4th, 2007 the City of Redding will present Freedom Festival 2007 at the Redding Convention Center, 700 Auditorium Drive.

Scheduled entertainment will include:

4:45 - 5:00 p.m.	Welcome/Introductions
5:00 - 5:45 p.m.	Shasta County Talent Search Showcase
6:05 - 6:50 p.m.	WeR1
7:10 - 7:30 p.m.	Country Gold Dancers
7:50 - 8:35 p.m.	The Potentials
9:00 - 9:50 p.m.	Shasta College Community Band
10:00 p.m.	Fireworks Display

The fireworks display will be simulcast by North State Public Radio/KFPR Radio 88.9 FM.

Mike Mangas will emcee the event. Funding for the fireworks display is made possible by the McConnell Foundation.

The public is encouraged to arrive early and find a seat as parking lots fill up early and when they are filled the Convention Center access area will be blocked and traffic will be diverted to other locations.

Please, NO alcoholic beverages or pets.

Other 4th of July Independence Day events in the region

THANK YOU FIRE FIGHTERS!

FIRE INFO & CLOSURES (CLICK)

(July 7, 2008) Port Alberni waterbomber redeployed to fight raging California fire - Canada.com
(Martin Mars waterbomber goes to fight fires near Big Sur, California)

(U.S. Forest Service News Release) 4th of July weekend at Shasta-Trinity National Forest