Thanks to vaccination effort, summer events are ready to roll
CONCORD, CA (June 15, 2021) — Fifteen months after the city of Concord declared a state of emergency, closed facilities and canceled programs to stop the spread of the coronavirus, it finally feels like life is starting to return to pre-pandemic normal. And that means summer fun.
We all know that more community events and celebrations can happen once we all get vaccinated. The United States has set a goal of getting 70 percent of people to have their first shot by July 4, and so far Concord is at 62.4 percent. Let’s keep it going and reach that goal.
Everyone 12 and older is eligible, and there are multiple sites where you can get the vaccine today. Visit cchealth.org for more information.
Our debut community event is also one of my favorites, the Concord July 4th fireworks. This will be the eighth year we have held a celebration in Concord. Planning takes several months, and we didn’t have the green light to move forward on the run, parade and festival. But we did get the OK for a dazzling fireworks show, which will be hosted at the Concord Pavilion.
This year’s celebration will be a drive-in style event featuring Pyro Spectacular’s award-winning fireworks show set to music. It will be the largest fireworks display ever seen in Concord.
Tickets are $25 per car. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the fireworks will begin at dark.
We only have 1,000 tickets available – so be sure to purchase yours soon at concordjuly4th.com.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially title sponsor Marathon Petroleum, for making this event possible.
Commencement celebrations
I am also excited to announce that after a successful high school graduation season, concerts are returning to the Pavilion. The first show – Spirit West Coast 2021 – is set for July 18. From August through October, the Pavilion will be hosting King Crimson with the Zappa Band, the Black Crowes, Megadeth and Lamb of God, Lindsey Stirling, Alanis Morissette and Maroon 5. More information is available at liventaion.com.
And what’s a summer in Concord without our Music and Market at Todos Santos Plaza? We are working hard to schedule some concerts in the park before summer is over. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels over the coming weeks.
If you’re a farmers market fan, you’ll be pleased to know that our hot food vendors will be returning to our Tuesday market in Todos Santos Plaza. Stop by to enjoy falafels, grilled teriyaki, shawarma and kettle corn – and don’t forget to pick up your farm fresh produce.
For more family fun, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor has reopened and Pixieland Amusement Park is scheduled to open this month.
Our Parks & Rec is still accepting registration for several youth summer camps. Whether your child wants to splash in the pool, learn how to cook or play a new sport this summer, our team has the best camps for kids. Learn more and register here.
Finally, I just want to say thank you for your patience and resilience over the last 15 months.
I know it has been difficult to miss out on more than a year of our favorite activities and traditions, but summer fun is on the horizon.
Please get vaccinated, and I hope you and your family get outside to play and enjoy our return to normalcy.
Mayor Tim McGallian can be reached at 925.671.2489 or email Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org