July Fourth Celebration to Feature Rides, Games, Live Music

From live entertainment to a host of mechanical rides and bounce houses for kids along with family games, the city's Fourth of July will start at 3 p.m. at the.

The event will also include a mega obstacle course, giant slide, laser maze, gondola Ferris wheel and tiny tot train, rock 'n' roll coaster, balloon blast, 3-hole mini golf, jet airplane ride and gladiator jousting. This year, two mechanical trains will run to reduce long lines.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee is sponsoring free pony rides for kids and a free souvenir photo available at the photo booth.

The Greek Orthodox Church will host a beer and wine garden and the San Juan Capistrano Little League, , and Eastern Star will host food booths serving up everything from hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, meatball sandwiches and chicken bruschetta to candy, popcorn and snow cones.

Visitors can also buy unlimited-use $20 wrist bands that are on sale now through July 1 at the . The wrist bands will also be available at the park. Individual tickets are $1, with some rides requiring two tickets.

"Family Style" will perform classic rock 'n' roll beginning at 6 p.m. The evening ends with a  fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Visitors should bring lawn chairs and blankets but no personal fireworks, barbecues, bikes or pets. Free parking is available in the Sports Park and on Camino del Avion.

Residents should be aware that Via Positiva will be closed to motorists at 3 p.m. and pedestrian foot traffic at 6 p.m. due to requirements by the Orange County Fire Authority.

On June 7, the City Council voted to spend $31,500 on the fireworks display.