SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Celebrate the Fourth in Santa Clarita

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

January 19

1967 - Original airing of Star Trek "Arena" Episode: Kirk battles the Gorn commander (Saugus resident Bobby Clark) at Vasquez Rocks [watch]

Celebrate the Fourth in Santa Clarita

Message from Mayor Bob Kellar

Mayor Bob Kellar | Monday, Jul 1, 2013

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

Hello and welcome to summer!

If you and your family are planning on being in town for the Fourth of July, there are some great activities and events with real hometown flair.

Beginning at 8 a.m., the Santa Clarita Runners will once again host the Independence Day 5K and 10K at Newhall Park. The race runs along the parade route, and you can sign up at www.scrunners.org.

Then at 9 a.m., the Fourth of July Parade will begin its mile-long route down Main Street, Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road, before finishing on 16th Street. For more information, check it out at www.scvparade.com.

Finally, the annual Fourth of July Fireworks show will commence at 9:15 p.m. at the Westfield Valencia Town Center. While you’re watching the fireworks show, be sure to tune into the live broadcast of the soundtrack on KHTS AM-1220.

If you love sports, you may be interested in the city’s fifth annual Youth Sports Festival, Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, located at 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway. The event is part of our celebration and commitment to a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness activities.

The Youth Sports Festival will include free fun and games, performances, great raffle prizes, music and food. For more information, visit www.santa-clarita.com.

I love to hear from our community, so please feel free to email me directly at bkellar@santa-clarita.com.

Bob Kellar is mayor of the city of Santa Clarita.

Comment On This Story

COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

Click here to cancel reply.

Opinion Section Policy

All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.

Laurene Weste | Preserving the Past, Building the Future at Hart Park

Friday, Jan 16, 2026

There are places in our community where history is not simply remembered, but carefully safeguarded and brought to life every day. William S. Hart Park is one of those rare treasures.

Pilar Schiavo | California State Budget

Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) released the following statement on Friday, Jan. 9 in response to Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed 2026–27 State Budget.

Kathryn Barger | One Year Later

Saturday, Jan 10, 2026

This week marked the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire. As I reflect on the past year and look toward what lies ahead, my message to survivors is clear: I see your pain, I respect your resilience and I remain committed to walking with you on the long road ahead.

Councilwoman Marsha McLean | New Year, New Amenities

Friday, Jan 2, 2026

As we usher in a new year, I want to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2026.

Ken Striplin | Happy New Year, Santa Clarita

Friday, Jan 2, 2026

It’s hard to believe 2025 is now in the rearview mirror.

Happy New Year and Becoming Father Time

Monday, Dec 29, 2025

The end of the year points out that time speeds up as you get older, or get bored, or think too much.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


Today in SCV History (Jan. 19) 1967 - Original airing of Star Trek "Arena" Episode: Kirk battles the Gorn commander (Saugus resident Bobby Clark) at Vasquez Rocks [watch]	Today in SCV History (Jan. 18) 1899 - Martin & Richard Wood buy J.H. Tolfree's Saugus Eating House (still inside Saugus Depot), rename it Saugus Cafe [story]	Today in SCV History (Jan. 17) 1994, 4:31 a.m. - Magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake rocks Santa Clarita Valley [video]	Lady Mustangs Power Past OUAZ On the Road A strong defensive performance by The Master's University Lady Mustangs basketball team led to a 73-45 win against OUAZ in Surprise, Ariz.	Tejon Ranch Conservancy Offers February Nature Programs The Tejon Ranch Conservancy has published its calendar of nature programs it will host in February.	Jan. 20: SUSD to Meet in Closed Session with City Regarding Santa Clarita Elementary The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
Hart District’s Collyn Nielsen Named ACSA Negotiator of the Year The William S. Hart Union School District has announced that Dr. Collyn Nielsen, Deputy Superintendent, Human Resources, has been named the 2026 Negotiator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.	Jan. 20: City of Santa Clarita Planning Commission Plans Site Tours The city of Santa Clarita Planning Commission has scheduled a site tour of the Princessa Crossroads Specific Plan Project and a virtual tour of the Belcaro at Sand Canyon Project. These projects are expected to hold public hearings in the near future.	COC SBDC Hosting Free Webinars to Help Grow Businesses Free business training webinars are available from the College of the Canyons Small Business Development Center this January.	March 7: ‘Live From Santa Clarita, It’s Saturday Night’ SCVHS 50th Anniversary The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a unique gala on Saturday, March 7, 6-10 p.m.	Saugus High Music Clothes for Cash Fundraiser Saugus High School Instrumental Music gives back while raising much-needed funds for the high school's music program.	Feb. 10: Non-Profit Council Roundtable’s ‘Non-Profit Love Match’ at Child & Family Center Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a special Non-Profit Council Roundtable, "Non-Profit Love Match: A High-Impact Networking Experience for Professionals & Nonprofits," 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the Education Center at Child & Family Center.
Laurene Weste \| Preserving the Past, Building the Future at Hart Park There are places in our community where history is not simply remembered, but carefully safeguarded and brought to life every day. William S. Hart Park is one of those rare treasures.	Jan. 18: CBS Film Series Presents ‘Truth & Treason’ Congregation Beth Shalom offers a monthly film series that shows selected independent films one Sunday per month at 2 p.m.	CDPH Reminds Retailers, Public About Dangers of Kratom, 7-OH Products The California Department of Public Health is collaborating with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to remind consumers and retailers that products containing kratom or 7-hyrdroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, are associated with addiction, serious harm, overdose and death.	Foothill League Soccer: The Big Push Foothill League soccer is coming into a final flurry of league matches that will sort out standings.	Jan. 18: Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market Free Cooking Demonstration The Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market will offer a special live cooking demonstration and tasting on Sunday, Jan. 18.	Jan. 19: California State Parks to Offer Free Vehicle Entry on MLK Day In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California residents and visitors will receive free vehicle day-use entry to participating California state parks on Monday, Jan. 19.
Today in SCV History (Jan. 16) 1926 - Newhall Community Hospital, est. 1922, opens in larger, more modern hospital building at 6th & Spruce streets [story]	Jan. 19: Schiavo to Host MLK Day of Service, Donations Encouraged Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo will host the Third Annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. The event will be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Vallet Boys and Girls Club Thomas E. Dierckman Clubhouse.	Jan. 18: Ridge Route Preservation Organization Work Day The Ridge Route Preservation Organization will host a Ridge Route Storm Clean Up Day Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7 a.m.	Jan. 17: Santa Clarita Community Hike in Quigley Canyon Open Space The city of Santa Clarita January Community Hike will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. in the Quigley Canyon Open Space, Cleardale Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.	Jan. 22: City of Santa Clarita to Break Ground on Via Princessa Park The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to celebrate the groundbreaking of Via Princessa Park on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m.	Jan. 29: ‘Teen Library Eats: Ramen Noodle Bar’ at Canyon Country Library Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will host a "Teen Library Eats: Ramen Noodle," event Thursday, Jan. 29, 4-5 p.m. at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.