The Spirit of the Fourth festivities take place throughout the day at various venues in the community. The Community Fair is held at Webb Park, off Bernardo Center Drive near Webb Lake. It is a fun and exciting family event that begins at 9:00 AM with an array of food vendors, food trucks, drinks, handicrafts and other items. 

Come early and head on over to the stage for the Annual Larry Himmel Patriotic Pet Contest. Children and adults will enjoy the TJ Magic Show following the pet parade, as well as kettlekorn, snow cones, smoothies and other delightful treats while wandering through the Wheels of Freedom auto show with over 100 classic cars on display. Be sure to stop by the RBBA's Rubber Ducky booth to buy your rubber ducky for the Annual Bob Wells Rubber Ducky Race in Webb Lake.

An assortment of delicious and tantalizing food will be available from our food vendors and food trucks, so be sure to have a great lunch before getting in place for the Spirit of the Fourth Parade.

Tentative Schedule

• 9:00 AM - The Community Fair officially opens and the Motor Show will be ready for you to enjoy.
• 9:30 to 10:30 AM - The Larry Himmel Patriotic Pet Contest, presented by the Rancho Bernardo Community Council (registration starts at 8:30 and must be completed before judging begins)
• 10:45 to 11:30 AM - Veteran's Memorial Service
• 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM - TJ Magic Show
• 12:30 to 1:00 PM - TBD
• 1:00 to 1:30 PM - ATA Black Belt Academy
• 1:30 PM - RBBA's Annual Bob Wells Rubber Ducky Race (Purchase your rubber ducky before the race begins!)

Wheels of Freedom Classic Motor Show

The car show opens at 9:00 AM, so if you enjoy classic cars, this is the show for you. Over 100 vehicles will be displayed at the show, organized and hosted by the Poway Cruisers.

Patriotic Pet Contest

Dress your pet in their favorite red, white & blue ensemble and enter them in the Patriotic Pet Contest, sponsored by the Rancho Bernardo Community Council. The event will take place on the stage from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Check in at 9:00 AM with your pet in costume and on leash. Prizes will be awarded.

Veterans Memorial Service

A 45-minute patriotic memorial ceremony will be held at 10:45 AM at the Veterans Memorial in Webb Park, honoring the veterans of all services.

Even More

Other Highlights include a Quilt Exhibit at the Courtyard Marriott by local quilters supporting "Quilts of Valor", a program to provide comforting quilts to wounded warriors or others who have been touched by war. Visit the Spirit of the Fourth's Information Booth in Webb Park, pick up your Freedom Passport, stroll through the different activities and win a prize by having your passport stamped at the designated stops.

Parade

With a troop of Boy Scouts leading the way, backed up by four high school bands, beauty queens, clowns, jugglers, and a swirl of dignitaries, RB's Spirit of the Fourth parade will step off smartly at 3:30 PM on July 4th.

Fireworks

The evening opens at 6:30 PM at the Athletic Field of Bernardo Heights Middle School at 12990 Paseo Lucido, with an array of entertainment featuring the music of a local "US" band.

Rancho Bernardo's lavish fireworks display, "Sky Concert" produced by PYRO Spectaculars, begins at 9:00 PM. The fireworks display ends with a Grand Finale display of nearly 400 high-altitude shells. This event should not be missed.

Seating is on the grass so bring blankets or lawn chairs. There is reserved seating and parking for Freedom Club members. Parking is free in the student parking lot off Avenida Venusto. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the event.