Claremont Fourth goes out with a bang!
Hundreds of city residents gathered to celebrate community and our nation’s independence over food and entertainment at Claremont’s 70th annual Fourth of July celebration.
The day started bright and early, with a pancake breakfast at Memorial Park hosted by the Claremont Kiwanis Club. Community members enjoyed a traditional American breakfast before the flag raising ceremony, which traditionally kicks off the big birthday party.
“Our raising of the flag is our reason why we celebrate Fourth of July and the freedom that we are lucky enough to enjoy as Americans,” Maury Feingold, member of the Independence Day Committee, said.
Following the ceremony at Memorial Park, Claremont residents enjoyed live entertainment and food as they anticipated the city parade and fireworks show. Over seventy nonprofit groups attended the fun-filled festival, organized largely by community volunteers.
City resident Dan Dell’Osa has been a member of Claremont’s community since 1980. He has attended the celebration religiously since moving to Claremont and especially enjoys the variety of food the festival offers. 
Bevin Handel, public information officer for the city of Claremont, said the event takes a year to plan. The outlining for the celebration begins in August for the following year, because of the amount of communal effort is takes to put the event together.
“It’s a community tradition and people love it and it’s the one time we get together with neighbors,” Ms. Handel said. “You get to see everybody, everyone’s in a great mood, and it’s kind of that slice of small town, I think that’s why it’s so popular and it’s continued for 70 years, and its all volunteered driven!”
City residents practiced their first amendment rights at the T. Willard Hunter Speakers Corner by telling personal stories about friends and family, history and politics.
Claremont Mayor Opanyi Nasiali commenced the speeches. Then followed a number of community members who also participated and spoke on issues concerning freedom and our responsibility to vote.
Claremont resident Ines Romagnoli has resided in the community for 15 years and has been attending the celebration since.
“I love it here,” Ms. Romagnoli said with a huge smile on her face. “Everyone in the city is very friendly and you can see the American spirit.”
—Jacqueline Pinedo
intern@claremont-courier.com
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