SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Ken Striplin | Fourth of July

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1925 - Actor Harry Carey files patent on the original 160-acre Saugus homestead he'd purchased in 1916 (now Tesoro Del Valle) [story]

Ken Striplin | Fourth of July

By Ken Striplin | Wednesday, Jul 2, 2025

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The Fourth of July is a special time for our great nation and our City. Residents look forward to this holiday every year and the many accompanying celebrations.

The day kicks-off with the Independence Day Classic, where runners will take over the streets throughout Newhall to enjoy a unique perspective of our City.

Once the runners have crossed the finish line, the hometown favorite—SCV’s Fourth of July Parade—will make its way down Main Street to Lyons Avenue, then turn onto Orchard Village and continue to its endpoint at Dalbey Drive and Avenida Ignacio. Make sure you grab your family, friends and lawn chairs to get a prime viewing spot for this year’s parade themed “Home is Where the Hart is…Welcome Hart Park.” Expect to see floats and costumes paying tribute to the historic park and its namesake – as the 160 acres is transferred from the County of Los Angeles to the City of Santa Clarita this summer.

Once the sun sets on Independence Day, the skies over Valencia Town Center will light up with a spectacular firework show starting at approximately 9:15 p.m. As always, we encourage residents to leave the fireworks to the professionals – as ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN SANTA CLARITA.

In the most recent episode of our City podcast, Santa Clarita Voices, I took to the skies with the Los Angeles County Fire Department to talk about fire danger in our Valley and revisit some of the sites of the most devastating fires in our community. Let those past wildfires and the recent devastation from the Eaton and Palisades Fire remind you of just how quick flames can spread, claiming homes and lives. Let’s ensure that this Fourth of July is a safe celebration for everyone in our City. For more information and to watch/listen to Santa Clarita Voices, please visit the City’s website at SantaClarita.gov.

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Jason Gibbs | Celebrating 35 Years of Music Under the Stars with Concerts in the Park

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There are summer traditions and then there are Santa Clarita summer legends. For 35 years now, families, friends, neighbors and music lovers alike have gathered under the open skies of Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 to experience something truly special: Concerts in the Park, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union.

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Each summer, families, friends and neighbors from across Santa Clarita eagerly await the return of a cherished tradition, an evening under the stars filled with live music, laughter and community spirit.

Kathryn Barger | Eaton Fire Recovery Six-Month Anniversary

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Bill Miranda | Home is Where the Hart is This Fourth of July

Thursday, Jul 3, 2025

As we prepare for the city’s Fourth of July Parade, we are reminded of the values that bind us together as a community and as a nation: service, freedom and unity.

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Dr. John MacArthur, Chancellor of The Master’s University, Dies at 86 The Master's University has announced the death of Dr. John MacArthur, president and chancellor of TMU. MacArthur died on Monday, July 14, after contracting pneumonia.	Today in SCV History (July 15) 1891 - R.E. Nickel publishes area's first newspaper, The Acton Rooster [story]	City Now Accepting Vendor Applications for Makers Marketplace The city of Santa Clarita invites local artisans and crafters to apply Makers Marketplace, returning as part of the annual Light Up Main Street, presented by DrinkPAK, on Saturday, Nov. 15.	William S. Hart Park Officially Opens as City’s 40th Park The city of Santa Clarita has announced the official opening of its 40th park, William S. Hart Park, now under full city ownership and open to the public.	L.A. County Homelessness Shows Decline for Second Consecutive Year The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released the results of the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count on Monday, july 14.	July 19: Southern Gospel Brunch Fundraiser for Finally Family Homes Finally Family Homes a Santa Clarita Valley nonprofit which offers support to young adults transitioning out of foster care, will host a Southern Gospel Brunch fundraiser on Saturday, July 19 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
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