Lodi Lake is about to get loud again. The city’s annual Fourth of July festival returns next Saturday with a full day of pancakes, bands, kids activities and, of course, a fireworks finale exploding over the water around 9:30 p.m. The catch: the park will be locked down to general admission for a chunk of the afternoon so early birds with breakfast tickets and reservations can have the run of the place.
City officials are already warning about street closures and strict parking rules around the lake, while vendors and a kids zone are set to keep things going into the night.
Schedule, Music And Vendors
The day kicks off with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., at $15 for adults, $8 for kids ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5. The Boathouse opens at noon for reservation holders, and the beach follows with reserved access starting at 2 p.m.
The public celebration officially opens at 4 p.m. Food trucks and the Kids Zone will be up and running until about 9 p.m. Live music on the main stage includes an early evening set from Blood Orange Liqueur, followed later by Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, a ZZ Top tribute act. A fireworks finale is expected shortly after sunset, according to City of Lodi.
Park Access And Parking
As posted by City of Lodi - Government on Facebook, Lodi Lake will be closed to the general public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the event. That means even breakfast patrons have to clear out during that window before the evening crowd rolls in.
The same post and related city materials note that there will be no public on-street parking around the lake from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., although ADA parking will be available on Laurel Avenue. Anyone holding a valid Boathouse or beach reservation will be allowed to enter the park earlier than the main public gate opening.
What You Can And Cannot Bring
The city has laid out a long list of banned items for safety and crowd control. Off the table: ice chests, outside food or drinks (other than sealed water), alcohol, fireworks, firearms or knives, bicycles and skateboards, glass containers, barbeques and pets. Bags will be searched at the main gate, and sealed water bottles are specifically allowed. These rules, along with more details on vendor hours and operations, are posted by City of Lodi.
Getting There And Final Tips
Expect heavy traffic as people pour in for the evening program, and plan to arrive early if you want a decent spot. Those who need it are urged to use ADA parking.
Visit Lodi notes that admission to the public celebration is free, but Boathouse and beach reservations cost extra. Vendors are expected to operate roughly from 4 to 9 p.m. For any last-minute changes, organizers advise checking the city’s official website and social media channels before you head out.
