Life is all about choices, right? Here is a no-brainer choice as we celebrate America’s 239th birthday on Saturday, July 4. Do you want to celebrate the birth of our country in a traffic jam on I-5 going to a certain fair? Never. Do you want to celebrate the big day not finding a parking place at the beach? Of course not. Do you want to spend a bundle on fees to enter overcrowded theme parks? Never! You want to stay home for the holiday and celebrate the Fourth of July at Standley Park for the 27th annual University City Celebration. The late Erma Bombeck defines her view of Independence Day this way. “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” Patriotism will be on steroids at Standley Park. For the 2015 Fourth of July, the Founding Fathers and Mothers and even Erma Bombeck would endorse the kind of celebration that will honor our country, our liberty and our gratitude for America. Thanks to George Odero and his committee of volunteers for working hard and promising a great day with no driving once you get to Governor Drive in University City. A free trolley on Governor will pick you up and drop you off at the park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss the pancake breakfast from 8 until 10 a.m. at Standley. For the more active celebrants, be part of the 5-K run or 1-mile fun-run. Registration runs from 6:30 until 7:45 a.m. The race begins at 8 a.m., and breakfast is included. All day entertainment includes games, food, a beer and wine garden for adults. Vender booths and games booths will line Standley Park. Have the kids decorate their bikes with red, white, and blue and join the bike parade at 10:30 a.m. at Standley Middle School. Of course there is also a pet parade. Swanson pool will be open for a free swim from noon until 4 p.m. Win some neat prizes during the opportunity drawing. Check out the photo scavenger hunt at noon. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The family field games will be better than any roller coaster ride and make memories for the kids. Day time music will fill the air. The traditional concert from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will feature David Fleminger and “True Stories.” Odero welcomes last-minute volunteers at volunteersignup.org/YY4H7 or (858) 552-1652, and Terry Jones would welcome donations at [email protected]. Freedom isn’t free, and neither is this great celebration, hosted by Standley Park Rec Council. University City Community Association and Regency Centers are major sponsors. So we will see you at the rock wall or the dunk tank. Happy birthday, America. Oh, say, can UC celebrate!
