The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Fourth of July; State of the City; fireworks and cautions

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

The city of Sunnyvale has plenty to celebrate this July 4 with the recent passage of the first budget in several years to come in without a deficit. That will almost certainly be a topic of discussion at the State of the City event that afternoon.

Mayor Ron Swegles and the rest of the council will be at Washington Park--for the third year in a row--from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate Independence Day, meet with residents and offer a view of the current state of Sunnyvale.

At a recent city meeting, Communications Officer John Pilger said the city has ordered extra food for the lunches to make sure that it doesn't run out like last year.

This year there will be a $4 barbecue lunch for visitors, music by the brass band section of the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast, face painting, bounce houses and city department information booths. Other than lunch, the event is free.

But while the city is celebrating in the park, local law enforcement agencies will be gearing up for nightfall, when partying and revelry can become as colorful--and volatile--as the fireworks in the sky.

One minute after midnight on June 30, Santa Clara County's Avoid the 13 program starts up. Nine counties in the Bay Area have Avoid campaigns geared toward cracking down on intoxicated drivers.

The Fourth of July presents a different set of hazards for drivers and visitors alike. According to the Santa Clara County Police Chief's Association, drivers tend to get distracted by the fireworks in the sky, and people often line up along highways to watch the displays.

From July 1 to 3, Paramount's Great America theme park--just a few exits east of Sunnyvale on Highway 237--will have firework displays at 9:30 p.m.

Almost 90 percent of all California Highway Patrol officers will be on the road throughout the holiday weekend leading up to Tuesday's celebrations.

For smaller celebrations, Cupertino High School will be setting off it's own fireworks on July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

The fireworks festivities begin at 6:45 p.m. with entertainers, face painters and games at Creekside Park and Hyde Middle School and Sedgwick Elementary School. Residents are advised to arrive early and secure a prime viewing spot. Free parking is available at Vallco Fashion Park.

For information on the state of the city address, call 408.730.7535 or TDD 408.730.7501. For more information and for a map of places to view fireworks in Cupertino, visit, www.cupertino.org.

Cupertino Courier reporter Hugh Biggar contributed to this story.