It has been four years since the last Fourth of July fireworks display at La Jolla Cove, which ultimately succumbed to funding problems, permitting issues, and environmental concerns about impacts on coastal and terrestrial wildlife.

But not to worry. Other coastal groups are picking up the slack hosting drone shows or fireworks, neighborhood parades, and celebrations indulging themselves in all things red, white, and blue.

For its first quarter-century, the annual La Jolla Cove fireworks display, begun by La Jolla restaurateur George Hauer in 1985, went smoothly. Then came legal challenges alleging environmental damage to the ocean from the annual coastal, pyrotechnic display.
After Hauer stepped back relinquishing control of the event, it was saved by the formation of La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation. Spearheaded by Deborah Marengo, LJCFF struggled for years to raise the approximately $60,000-plus cost of staging an annual community fireworks display.
La Jolla Village Merchants Association took over the fireworks extravaganza in 2015 working with Marengo to keep the event afloat until funding and permitting problems ultimately caused its demise. But don’t despair, parades, drones, and fireworks will be a part of the holiday in La Jolla.

LA JOLLA COUNTRY CLUB FIREWORKS

Mike Mooney, LJCB general manager, said the country club, which has held an annual private, members-only fireworks display for years on July 4th, will do so once again in 2023. “It will begin about 8:40 p.m. and will last about 25 minutes,” he said. “You can pretty much see it from everywhere. People are welcome to enjoy it from wherever they are.”

Mooney noted the country club sets pyrotechnics off from its golf course with the fire marshal’s permission and all the necessary permitting. He added the display is usually preceded by a big picnic dinner.

LA JOLLA BEACH & TENNIS CLUB DRONES

Originally opened in 1927 as the La Jolla Beach & Yacht Club, this institution at 2000 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla Shores announced it will host a unique Independence Day show with at least 100 drones, starting around 8:45 p.m. on July 4.

LJBTC president Bill Kellogg said the new drone show will be about 15 minutes in length adding, “The drones are going to stage from the beach club property, then fly out over Avenida de la Playa, and in front of La Jolla Shores Hotel about 350 feet high. The intent is for the show to be visible from Kellogg Park and, hopefully, also from the Cove.” Kellogg said the drone show will feature patriotic imagery the likes of 1776 and the American flag, and “will be scripted so drones will morph from one image into another.”

BIRD ROCK BEAUMONT AVENUE PARADE

With the full encouragement and support of the Bird Rock Community Council, the Murfey Family and Company are again organizing the annual Beaumont Avenue Fourth of July Parade this year themed, “Surfing USA.”

“As the parade heads into its 44th year, let’s celebrate our community, country, and patriotism on Beaumont Avenue,” said the BRCC. “Walk, bike, trike, skateboard, or float your way down to the fun-filled after-party and enjoy food and entertainment after the parade.

Jason Hill, Beaumont Parade Grand Marshall for 2023, noted the homespun neighborhood event “has stayed pretty consistent, maybe growing a little each year. It’s an annual neighborhood event the community knows and loves.”

Hill pointed out that last year’s parade float winners, Curtis and Jenna Williamson, got to pick this year’s theme. Beaumont Parade’s grand marshal also gave kudos to the Murfey family and brothers Russ and Scott for “running the parade and keeping it going the last several years.” He added, “Now myself, and Sarah Austin as vice chair, have joined in the parade planning committee crew.”

Hill added the parade celebration will feature a country band, “The Red Headed Strangers,” playing from 10 a.m. to noon, games, and a hot-dog barbecue at the finish. The BRCC is preparing a float for the parade and will have a membership table at the end.

Other things to consider:

• Start building your best surfing-themed floats. Get creative and make something awesome.
• Family donation of $40-$250-plus is kindly requested (gofundme.com/f/2023-bird-rock-4th-of-july-parade-surfing-usa).
• Parade starts at 10 a.m. on the Fourth (9:15 float check-in) starting at the corner of Beaumont and Camino De La Costa.
• Beaumont Avenue residents, it would be great to see your wonderful home and yard decorations again.
• Volunteers – Always need day-of volunteers, if you are available to help, email [email protected].

BEACH-BARBER TRACT PARADE

For decades, this annual, quaint homespun Independence Day parade has been a cherished tradition. “We’re going to have a block party this year on Monte Vista Avenue in La Jolla,” said Kurt Iuli-Kinsey, Barber Tract Neighborhood Association president. “We’ll have patriotic music and it will be an old-fashioned Fourth of July with watermelon. Dr. Max Elliott, the founder of the event, leads us off with a speech. Usually, his daughter then sings either ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ or ‘God Bless America.’ We’ll also have some kids games this year, as there are a lot of new families that have moved into the area. It will start at 9 a.m. and wrap up by 11 a.m.”

Ron Jones, the “voice of La Jolla,” is once again emceeing the Beach-Barber Tract event for the 10th year. He’ll be playing pre-parade music and music afterward ending the reception. Music starts at 9 a.m., with the parade kicking off at 10 a.m.

“There will be watermelon, cookies, and lemonade,” said Jones noting, “Dr. Max Eliott and his late wife Melissa brought the tradition to La Jolla from St. Louis decades ago. Max begins the parade from his balcony dressed as Uncle Sam, usually in the company of Lady Liberty and a grandkid to do the pledge and a song.”

Iuli-Kinsey noted the holiday event “is an old-school parade with balloons and floats and people celebrating the birth of our country. If you want something fun, old-fashioned, and want a glimpse from the past: This is the parade to go to, and people have been doing it for 45 years.” For more information, visit barbertract.com.