Item No. 6
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: September 8, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Megan Wolfe, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: 4th of July 2025 Event Wrap-up and Revisiting the 2026 Plan RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1) Receive and file the wrap-up report for July 4, 2025, Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular; and
2) Provide direction to staff regarding next year's 4th of July event.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
4th of July 2025
The 2025 4th of July Firework Show was held at Yucaipa High School on Friday, July 4, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Event parking was $15 per vehicle and there was no admission fee. The event had 23 merchandise vendors and one food vendor. Outdoor games and activities were available including soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and bats, lawn darts, spike ball, and a life-size Tetris. The event concluded with a grand firework display by PYRO Spectaculars that synchronized with music played live and on KOLA 99.9.
Event costs totaled $50,745, with approximately 90% of the cost attributed to the firework display.
City staff worked closely with the Yucaipa Police Department for traffic control and the Yucaipa Fire Department for permits, fireworks fallout zone safety, and fire prevention. Staff also met with Yucaipa High School staff for facility coordination and Public Works staff for event preparation and supplies. In addition, Yucaipa Police and Fire Departments worked city-wide to reduce the use of illegal fireworks.
To help offset the cost, staff secured community sponsorships. Redlands Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning was the Title Sponsor. Many other organizations also sponsored the event including Sorenson Engineering, Renewal by Anderson, Crafton Hills College, In-N-Out Burger, Burrtec — Yucaipa Disposal, Karla DeGonia with Lois Lauer Realty, Yucaipa Valley Golf Club, CASC Engineering, and Three Peaks Corp. The generosity of these organizations funded $20,356 of the event and we would like to again thank them for their support. Parking and vendors added $10,130 in revenues bringing the total revenues generated to $30,486. This means that the actual net cost of
the event was $20,259. When compared to the City's FY25 Budget which reflected costs of approximately $55,000 and $0 revenues (net cost of $55,000), the event significantly outperformed budget (by approximately $35,000).
4th of July 2026
These types of special events require lead time to plan. Typically, the lead time can be several months and with 2026 being the nation's 250th anniversary, we anticipate lead times being extended.
However, with the City's focus on delivering a balanced budget in FY26, several special events, including the 4th of July event, were excluded from the FY26 Budget. Accordingly, staff has not started the planning process. However, if the City Council chooses to pivot, there is sufficient time to plan an event.
At the request of the City Council, staff is bringing this item back for discussion.
As stated on the America250 website,
"On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond." accessed September 1, 2025, https://america250.org/ .
Staff is prepared to plan and execute according to the directive of the City Council. There are many options for events depending on the desired scale of the production, but staff has categorized the following four scenarios to kick start the discussion.
• Option 1— Do not pivot from the adopted budget. Cost $0. • Option 2 - Plan an event similar to the 2025 4th of July event, which provided no entertainment, only charged for parking, saw the largest crowd to date and had the smallest impact to the General Fund. This option would include fireworks and would require City Council to approve expenditures in the amount of $60,000. Historical trends from parking revenue and sponsorships would be used to estimate the offsetting revenues. • Option 3 — Ramp up the production from last year by bringing back live entertainment and more games. This option could include special events and would require City Council to approve expenditures in the amount of $150,000. Historical trends from parking revenue and sponsorships would be used to estimate the offsetting revenues. Additionally, staff could revisit the admission charge.
• Option 4 - Partner with the County of San Bernardino to offer a 4th of July event at the Regional Park and Yucaipa Community Park. This option could offer a drone show in lieu of a firework show. Actual quotes for the drone show have not been received but a rough estimate was in the amount of $90,000. Total costs for this type of production would vary based on the partnership but for discussion purposes could range from $100,000 to $200,000.
Offsetting revenue considerations are similar to the options above.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact is dependent on the direction provided. In any scenario, the projected net cost would be budgeted in the General Fund.
Approved by•