Claremont’s 2024 Independence Day committee invites local youth to participate in the city’s 74th annual Fourth of July celebration theme and national anthem contests. Nominations are also being accepted for this year’s grand marshal, honored citizen and honored community group.

Entry forms are at ci.claremont.ca.us/4thcontests.

Theme contest
Local students from kindergarten to sixth grade can submit theme ideas no later than Wednesday, March 13. Entries must be five words or less, and have no more than 36 characters. The winning student will lead the flag salute at the flag raising ceremony, receive a certificate, tickets to the evening fireworks show, and a place in the parade.

National anthem contest
Claremont children or local students between fourth to 12th grades are invited to audition for a chance to sing the national anthem during this year’s festivities. The deadline to submit an entry is Thursday, April 11.

Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in the Padua Room of the Alexander Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., Claremont. The winner will perform at the fireworks show and flag raising ceremony, and receive fireworks show tickets and a place in the parade. Runners-up will perform either at the Freedom 5000 run, set for June 29 at Memorial Park, or during this year’s Concerts in the Park series.

Fourth of July honorees
Grand marshal, honored citizen, and honored community group nominations must be submitted by Thursday, April 11. Nominees must live, work, attend school, or have graduated from a school in Claremont.

Honorees will be presented with certificates at the flag raising ceremony and will appear in the parade.

For more information, call (909) 399-5490, email specialevents@ci.claremont.ca.us, or visit ci.claremont.ca.us/4thcontests.