The City of Tehachapi will host the All-American 4th of July Festival on Sunday, July 4, resuming the festivities after cancelation in 2020. This year’s festival, as has been the case since 2018, will once again be presented by AES Clean Energy.

The festivities at Philip Marx Central Park will kick off with the All-American 5K hosted by the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District beginning from the southwest corner of the park at 7 a.m. Runners and the public are then invited to the Ed Grimes Memorial Pancake Breakfast benefiting the Tehachapi High School Warrior Football program in conjunction with the Tehachapi Warrior Booster Club from 8 to 10 a.m.

The American Legion will once again host the Wall of Valor honoring local service men and women while the City of Tehachapi will conduct a presentation of colors, flag-raising ceremony and National Anthem at Noon. Food vendors will be available at the park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Tehachapi VALLEY WRESTLING CLUB hosting the beer garden as part of their annual fundraising efforts. The Tehachapi Valley Arts Association is returning to operation as well by hosting a craft fair at Central Park throughout the day showcasing local artisans and unique items for sale, vendors booths will open at 9 a.m.

The entertainment lineup this year on the northwest stage will kick off with local artist Averee Napier at 12:15 p.m., followed by another young talent Ryan Sillifant at 1 p.m. Local Americana band Muleskinner Revival will take the stage at 2:15 p.m. and entertain until the festival’s conclusion at 4 p.m.

The Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association brings back the “Bad Bulls” bull riding event at the Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds and Event Center beginning at 6 p.m. The event was on hiatus in 2020 and marks the return of live professional sports to Tehachapi in the first marquee rodeo event of the summer. TMRA also produces the annual Mountain Festival PRCA Rodeo each August.

The evening will culminate with a fireworks spectacular originating from the north side of Tehachapi Municipal Airport at 9 p.m. While there will be no formal events or seating at Coy Burnett Stadium this year, there are plenty of parking and viewing areas available near the fireworks site and throughout the Tehachapi Valley where residents can enjoy the show.

The All-American 4th of July Festival is presented by AES Clean Energy, the organization, formerly known as S Power, is the result of a December 2020 merger between AES and S Power. The resulting company created one of the leading renewable energy platforms in the United States with several products in Kern County and the Antelope Valley. Other sponsors include WM (formerly known as Waste Management), the refuse and recycling hauler for the City of Tehachapi.

[The Loop newspaper will be at Central Park with the June 19 issue which features a map of events happening in the City of Tehachapi and more information about local 4th of July festivities. Be sure to stop on by, say hi and pick up your copy!]