A day-long event featuring food vendors, water rides and music – as well as a $30,000 fireworks show – will highlight the Castaic 4th of July Celebration this year. It kicks off at 6 a.m. at the state water reservoir located just north of Santa Clarita on the Interstate 5 Freeway.



Presented by the Friends of Castaic Lake (FOCL), the Independence Day party is a family-geared event in a beautiful setting run by the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, said Clay Friedman of Castaic, president of FOCL, a group of dedicated volunteers who make a positive impact on the Castaic Lake Recreation Area.



Formed in 1983 as a nonprofit group with the mission to support and enhance the operation of the County’s largest regional park, the FOCL conducts fundraisers and special events to support park programs and projects, including the annual fourth of July celebration, Fishin’ and Fun for Kids Day, Casting a Special Thrill for disabled children, and the Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade.



This year’s 4th of July show – funded by FOCL – is expected to cost around $60,000, half of which will pay for the fireworks.



“We pay $30,000 just for the fireworks, so it’s a great show,” Friedman said of the Lights of Freedom fireworks extravaganza, kicking off around 9 p.m. “We shoot them off from a barge in the water so you get the reflection off the water. It looks awesome.”



Entry fee is $25 per car; $5 per person for walk-ins; free for children five years old and younger. Prior to the fireworks, activities like swimming, pony rides, games and picnicking will be underway, starting around 10 a.m. Later that evening around 5 p.m., a D.J. and vocalists will provide musical entertainment.



The ultimate goal is “to give our community a safe, alcohol- and drug-free environment to enjoy the Fourth of July,” said Clay’s wife, Tiffany Friedman, FOCL treasurer. And in today’s economic climate, family-themed offerings like this are especially important “because it is low-cost and you can have a great time with family and friends.”



Sam Brown of Saugus has attended the show for the last six consecutive years. “The food, music and fireworks are amazing...the park atmosphere is relaxing and the kids can play,” Brown said. Plus, “the price is right.”



At most celebrations within the city limits, you see everyone sitting in their cars, you see kids maybe playing in the parking lot, and some lawn chairs alongside the cars, said Vanessa Brookman of Val Verde, vice president of the Castaic Area Town Council.



“You go to our beautiful lake and you see miles of grass, with people outside enjoying nature and neighbors, kids and pets playing, enjoying all that Summer and our Dept. of Parks and Recreation have to offer,” continued Brookman, who has attended the 4th of July celebration at Castaic Lake three times. “Why wouldn’t you want to enjoy fireworks picnic style? With a nice big family blanket, all the scents of food and fresh air around you? After finding this annual treasure, I can’t imagine going anywhere else!”



The show itself it great, Brookman further emphasized. “The Friends of Castaic Lake do an amazing job each and every year, along with the fireworks show. It’s spending time with neighbors, those you know, and those you’ve yet to meet,” Brown said. “Castaic and Val Verde are special in that we really like to get to know each other.”



Community gatherings like this are especially important in today’s times because “we are all so caught up in our everyday hustle and bustle,” Brookman added. “Gone are the days of summer block parties, sending our kids outdoors right after breakfast not to be seen again until dinner time...we have lost so much in the last few decades, so much innocent freedom for us and for our kids. Events like this one – and like Castaic Days during the last weekend in September – are special times where we can give that experience to our families. Get out and mingle, meet people, enjoy each other.”

For more information, call 661-257-4050.