City of Menifee officials have begun plans to recognize the nation’s 250th birthday. The date on which the local celebration will take place remains a matter of discussion, however.
As many residents know, the city’s tradition of over 30 years is to hold its Independence Day celebration the Saturday before the 4th of July. This decision, which was originally made by the host Lake Menifee Women’s Club at the event’s inception, was made to save costs on fireworks. It has continued as residents have grown accustomed to having the July 4 holiday open for other family events.
The tradition isn’t popular with many others, however. So as the time for planning the city’s event approaches, the question is this: June 27 or July 4?
The most outspoken proponent of moving this year’s event to July 4 is making his case from afar. Mayor Ricky Estrada, currently on military deployment overseas, stated his case this week on his Facebook page, urging residents to attend the Jan. 21 City Council meeting, where the item was on the agenda.
“As this year marks America’s 250th birthday, Menifee should NOT BE CHEAP. We have the money, we can afford it!” Estrada wrote. “This theme and our freedoms will be recognized around the country all throughout the year. Menifee should invest heavily in its celebration of our July 4th federal holiday.
“I support spending the extra $25,000 for increasing the duration of the firework show with a LARGER grand finale. EVERYONE in attendance at our celebration looks forward to celebrating with fireworks. That moment is IMPORTANT! I support spending the extra $25,000 to incorporate a drone show. Give Menifee a new and unique experience!”
As is the case on many Facebook posts when Estrada is mentioned, he took his share of criticism from some residents. Overall, however, opinion among those commenting on the issue was split. The discussion continued at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, where Estrada’s statements were read by Acting Mayor Bob Karwin.
The staff report on the agenda item asked for council recommendations on the topic, with the following options presented:
— Keeping the festival at Wheatfield Park on the Saturday before the holiday, with additional “themed enhancements” and perhaps a high level of entertainers on stage. In addition, moving the traditional parade to July 4 in the Sun City community.
— Keep everything at Wheatfield Park on the Saturday before, which would be seven days before the holiday (June 27).
Move the entire event to the actual holiday at Wheatfield Park.
A key factor in the decision – as it always has been – is the extra cost of fireworks and staffing costs on the holiday. City staff estimates that holding the event on July 4 with a larger fireworks show and perhaps a drone show would put the event $70,000 to $100,000 over budget.
The current event budget is $78,700. Staff estimates that it would cost $40,000 alone for a 15- to 18-minute fireworks show and $60,000 for a 10- to 12-minute drone show.
One of the residents who addressed the council on the topic was Gloria Sanchez, a longtime member of the Lake Menifee Women’s Club and its current president.
“Our experience has been that many vendors and entrants are more likely available the Saturday before,” Sanchez said. “Some have other commitments for the 4th. But I understand the argument and we may be open to the change. We just request a seat at the table to discuss this. We haven’t been so far. That was no fault of the city because our leadership was in transition when this was first brought up. We just ask that if the change is made, we are notified as soon as possible so we can notify our vendors.”
The consensus of the four council members in attendance was 3-1 in favor of keeping the event on June 27, although all recognized there were arguments to be made on both sides.
“Trying to move the parade and the whole event … it’s too much to do in one year,” Dean Deines said. “I prefer keeping the event as it always has been, maybe discuss a different time for the parade.”
“I’m not against the idea of moving the event, but my focus is on having the greatest celebration possible,” said Ben Diedrich. “Getting the most for our money is not July 4.”
After Estrada’s comments were read, Karwin gave his take on the issue.
“Having the event (festival and parade) on two separate days six days apart does not make a lot of sense,” he said. “No one has even asked the people of Sun City about the parade. I don’t think they would be super psyched to see another 5,000 people come over there. I’d like to see it all in one day.
“Having it the Saturday before is kind of a unique thing for Menifee. People know we do it then, so they make plans to go away for the 4th. I would prefer keeping it all on June 27.”
The one council member (besides Estrada) who favored moving the event to the holiday was Dan Temple.
“It would be nice to have it on July 4 and do it all in one fell swoop,” he said. “This is a big event for our country. Despite our differences, this could be the one event that brings about unity. I’m for making that happen.”
The discussion will continue in the near future, and public comment is being solicited. Residents may express their opinion on a community survey found on the Community Services page of the city’s website here. The survey does not specifically ask for residents’ opinion on the preferred date, but there is a place to give opinions on “How the City of Menifee can commemorate the 250th anniversary at upcoming events, including the annual Independence Celebration.”
