By Robert Haugh
The Mission City has a new 4th of July celebration home – Mission College.
Because of construction projects at Central Park, the City chose to host the event at the College and forged a partnership with Mission College and California’s Great America.
Throughout the event, there’s an array of family-friendly festivities such as lawn games and face painting.
Live entertainment includes performances by Mustache Harbor, Yacht Rock Band, Santa Clara Elite Dance Team, Vanguard Music and Performing Arts, and headliner David Martin’s House Party.
Several City departments will have info booths such as the Fire Department, Library, Mission Trail Waste Systems, Police Department, Water & Sewer, and Silicon Valley Power.
Several food trucks will be on site, including:
- Cousin’s Maine Lobster
- Luv’s Brownies
- Akita Sushi
- Chick N Bros
- Saigon Street Food
- Kona Ice
- The Cookout Fish & Chips
- Kalbi BBQ
- Waffle Roost
- 3 Hermanos
- La Burbuja
- Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos
The celebration starts at 4 p.m. and concludes at 10 p.m.
Free parking is available as space permits in Mission College Lots A through D. Rideshare drop off is at the main entry at 3000 Mission College Blvd.
Visit SantaClaraca.gov/4thofJuly for more information.
The event is sponsored by EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, Silicon Valley Power, Mission College, Enamor Dental, Open Doors to Future Possibilities, City Life Bible Church, and California’s Great America.
Here’s a list of fireworks shows in the area.
What is the difference between celebrating “Fourth of July” or “Independence Day?”
According to Silicon Valley Der Stürmer under Herr Jed, the Traditional Venue for celebrating Independence Day is dislodged from Central Park—a beloved venue with which us Santa Claras have joined in community spirit—for political reasons.
Der Stürmer states: “Earlier this year, the City announced the change in venue for a MYRIAD of reasons.” Most dictionaries define “myriad” as “a countless or extremely great number.” Yet, Der Stürmer uses this term as a propagandist, and offers only three (3) (!) reasons: (1) costs to use SCUSD fields of Central Elementary School, (2) the Swim Center and new Magical Bridge playground areas, and (3) Safety. Are there any other “countless” reasons to move festivities from Central Park that the Der Stürmer fails to convey to us Santa Clarans???
My commentary: the 49er Five has aims that supersede the citizens of Santa Clara and would rather “leach off” annual fireworks at Great America rather than preserve tradition. And “tradition” is that which the 49er 5 seek to destroy to secure power. As a city councilperson, I would be ashamed to admit personal failures to accept “welfare,” “charity,” or otherwise get a “free ride” from Great America’s fireworks.
NOTE: Great America is now sold to Prologis, a San Francisco-based real estate conqueror and destroyer (from a citizen’s viewpoint).
Prologis’ acquisition of Great America and its effects on Santa Clara is what Prologis is doing globally.
https://www.prologis.com/contact-us/office-locations
……(Ask Jeddy Boy if the 49ers have ZERO connections to the sale of Great America—Given the proximity between LEVI and GREAT AMERICA….. well, the Devil has will have his day.).
Countering the “reasons” for the cataclysmic change to Mission College according to Der Stürmer:
(1) “Costs to use SCUSD fields.” An honorable and diligent seeker of facts might inquire as to the “cost,” unless that Der Stürmer is merely a mouthpiece of Herr Jed. No transparency yet again. Is the “cost” a dollar ($1), or what? Der Stürmer does not inquire as it is a propagandist conduit. Is it more than the inflated salaries of Jovan’s newly-hired henchmen? Yet another failure of Der Stürmer.
(2) Further, the Der Stürmer states that Santa Clara Chief Public Information Officer Janine De la Vega indicates that the closed George F. Haines International Swim Center and the new Magical Bridge Playground presumably injects a “footprint” that reduces ‘safety.’ Historically, NO ONE viewed 4th of July festivities from the swim center or at the area related to the Magical Bridge Playground as that area HAS ALWAYS had obstructed views because of the VAST tree canopies that occlude viewings of fireworks. This reasoning is BULL EXCREMENT.
So, Der Stürmer quotes the above from some numskull—or at least portrays quotes from Ms. Del la Vega as being, well, less informed and communicates accordingly. Where did Santa Clara get the unfortunate circumstances to employ Ms. Del la Vega? Hired Gun city manager Jovan! Ms. Del la Vega has hopped around, doubling her salary from 2018 to 2023!
Do SANTA CLARANS have that opportunity to nearly DOUBLE our income in 5 years?
<>
w
Old Salary: $134,659. (2018)
https://padailypost.com/2018/04/17/channel-7-reporter-hired-as-palo-alto-police-spokeswoman/
New Salary: $227,000. (2023)
https://santaclaranews.org/2023/12/21/santa-clara-city-manager-adds-two-new-high-salary-staffers-to-his-office/
(3) Safety. More fear-mongering. For 10 to 20 years there may be some minor incidences at Central Park, but nothing like at Great America… and gun violence.
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/great-america-shooting-suspect-still-at-large/172011/
Central Park has always been safe. Parking was plentiful among its community. Edicts according to the Der Stürmer: no family pets are allowed and no umbrellas or canopies. Also, all “coolers” will be inspected for contraband. **Likely if you take your family there to Mission College, you are INCREASING risk of harm to your family**! Why else place draconian measures on young families???!? Sounds like gangland. No Thank You!
In the past, Santa Clarans entered Central Park freely and harmoniously without being subjected to jack-boot inspection of belongings. Freedom to enjoy the 4th with your family is now subjugated to the tyrants of the City Council.
Independence Day is MORE than just independence from England—IT MEANS INDEPENDENCE FROM TYRANNY!
No 49er sponsorship??
Jed York only makes money off the backs of Santa Clarans. He doesn’t give back.