We have big plans for this summer’s Independence Day celebration. Last year, we had everything set up when the COVID-19 shutdown forced us to cancel most of it. We’ve got even bigger plans for this year. In fact, we want to expand the event to both Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4. Here’s what we’ve planned so far for our “Old Fashioned, Patriotic, Fourth of July Celebration” – please keep in mind that some of these details are still being worked out.
Carlsbad MainStreet will be hosting a parade the morning of July 3, and the parade will conclude with a ceremony on the courthouse lawn honoring our World War 2 veterans. We appreciate any assistance with helping us connect with our local veterans to make sure they receive special recognition.
From there, we want to travel to the Carlsbad Museum & Art Center for a Hall of Fame induction. John Andrews has confirmed his attendance this year, and we’re also hoping to include author Anna Jane Hays that day. We’re also reaching out to some of our other Hall of Fame members who have yet to be inducted.
We’re going to have music at the beach throughout Saturday. Our local mariachi group, Mariachi Unido, is excited about being able to perform. Our award-winning local band, Stranded, has agreed to headline Saturday night’s performance at the Beach Bandshell. We’re so excited to have Stranded back performing live in Carlsbad.
On Sunday, we are in discussion with several great bands and will headline in the evening with a performance by the Southwest Surfers, a Beach Boys tribute band. We are also looking to the possibility of a boat parade earlier in the day.
Special thanks to all of our sponsors. R360 and A.R. Foreman Construction have agreed to be our title sponsors this year. Nuclear Waste Partnership, Crestwood and Capitan Energy have all generously agreed to serve as sponsors as well. We would love to add a few more sponsors to our list to help make this event possible. Please let us know if you are interested in doing so.
Finally, our fireworks show is back on the table and will be similar to what it was last year. We received a lot of positive feedback about last year’s show. Our Fourth of July celebration is a work in progress, but we want you to know that we’re very committed to having a special event this year. We have a lot to celebrate in Carlsbad.
We found out that Eddy County remained Turquoise in the state’s gating criteria on Wednesday. This is great news and we hope to see COVID-19 numbers continue to dwindle.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway