What you can and can’t do in SLO County this Fourth of July weekend
Independence Day is just days away, but Fourth of July celebrations may look a little different this year in San Luis Obispo County.
Firework extravaganzas that traditionally draw large crowds to Cayucos, Pismo Beach and Cambria have all been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, along with Santa Maria’s annual fireworks show.
Concerns over the spread of COVID-19 also canceled a July 4 bluegrass festival in Atascadero.
Meanwhile, Paso Pops, an annual San Luis Obispo Symphony concert and fireworks display in Paso Robles, was canceled in February due to financial reasons.
Other Independence Day weekend events are also on hold, including Avila Beach’s 4th of July Doggie Parade, Cambria’s Picnic in the Park, Morro Bay’s 4th of July Family Funday and the Fourth of July in the Village celebration in Arroyo Grande.
Templeton postponed its annual Fourth of July parade until September, according to the Rotary Club of Templeton.
Two local July 4 events have restructured to keep people safe while celebrating the holiday.
Drive-thru 4th of July events
The Templeton Firefighter’s Association will hold its fourth annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast fundraiser drive-thru style.
According to the event page, the breakfast, which is typically a dine-in event, will be held as a drive-thru in front of the Templeton Fire Department, located at 206 Fifth St.
A $5 ticket will buy one meal, consisting of two pancakes and two sausage links. The drive-thru event will be held Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon, according to the fire department.
The Colony Days Committee in Atascadero is taking a similar approach to replace the 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival.
The bluegrass festival usually raises funds for the Atascadero Colony Days’ annual October celebration — which is still set to take place Oct. 2 to 3.
Instead of the festival fundraiser, the Atascadero Colony Days Committee will host a drive-through barbecue dinner from noon to 4 p.m. July 4.
“Although we won’t see the great event we have come to love on July 4, we can still support Colony Days by donating directly or purchasing a drive-through Fourth of July meal,” festival founder and director Nic Mattson said in a news release.
The barbecue dinner costs $40 to $50 and will be chicken or tri-tip with salad, bread and dessert for four.
Dinners are being sold at ColonyDays.org.
Where are fireworks allowed in SLO County?
The cities of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach and the community services districts of Templeton, San Miguel and Oceano are the only areas in the county where so-called “safe and sane” fireworks are allowed.
Cal Fire spokesperson Clint Bullard told The Tribune that it is illegal to sell, possess or use fireworks elsewhere in San Luis Obispo County. Fines can range up to $2,000 for violating firework regulations.
Fireworks are also prohibited at all local state parks and beaches, according to Dan Falat, superintendent of the parks agency’s San Luis Obispo Coast District.
Those who use them illegally will have the fireworks confiscated, and will be removed from the park and issued a citation.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
