Item No. 1
STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 8, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dr. Sean M. Moore, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Megan Wolfe, Director of Community Services Elise Campbell, Community Services Coordinator
SUBJECT: 2026 Freedom Fest & Patriot Plaza Update
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Receive and file an update on the 2026 Freedom Fest event and fundraising efforts for Patriot Plaza and;
2. Provide further direction to staff.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On September 8, 2025, the City Council directed staff to plan a Fourth of July event similar in scope to the 2025 celebration, with enhanced programming to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. At that meeting, the City Council approved an expenditure budget of $60,000 for the event.
On March 9, 2026, the City Council approved renaming the Fourth of July event to "Freedom Fest." In conjunction with the rebranding effort, additional attractions were incorporated into the event, including a monster truck show and Stunt MX Motorcross, skydivers, and a U.S. military -style flyover.
These enhancements increased the overall event budget by approximately $140,000.
Also on March 9, 2026, the City Council considered the proposed Patriot Plaza project, which would cost $240,000, plus five (5) years of estimated annual maintenance costs, for the installation of two (2) flagpoles. One flagpole is proposed at the Yucaipa Civic Center (City Hall/John Tooker Civic Park) and the second at Flag Hill Veterans Memorial Park. The City Council further directed that no General Fund resources be utilized for the project and that funding be secured through donations and sponsorships.
The City has partnered with the Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce and the 4 h of July Committee to help raise funds to cover the costs of both Freedom Fest and Patriot Plaza.. In addition, staff continues to actively pursue sponsorship opportunities and community partnerships.
In addition to the proposed flagpole installations, the Patriot Plaza project is anticipated to include the placement of a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) America 250 Patriot Marker at Flag Hill Park. The America 250 Patriot Marker program is part of a nationwide initiative leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, with chapters throughout the country partnering with local agencies to install commemorative bronze markers recognizing the nation's semi-quincentennial celebration. The local DAR chapter has committed to fully funding the marker and will coordinating fabrication through the national program's approved foundry.
As of June 1, 2026, the following donations, sponsorships and event revenues have been collected for the Freedom Fest.
Funding Goal: $200,000
Funding received to date: $71,988
o Ticket Sales & Vendor Fees: $10,530
o Sponsorships: $60,500
o Donations: $958
As of June 1, 2026, the following donations have been collected by the Chamber of Commerce for Patriot Plaza.
• Funding Goal: $262,000 ($240,000 flagpole costs + $22,000 estimated maintenance expenses) • Funding received to date: $958
o Donations: $958
A commemorative brick fundraising program for Patriot Plaza will be launched within the coming weeks. All proceeds generated through the program will be directed toward the project funding goal.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommendations do not result in a fiscal impact.