The Independence Day Committee invites all Claremont students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade to enter suggestions for the 71st annual Fourth of July celebration theme.

The student with the winning entry will receive fireworks tickets, recognition at a pre-parade reception, a special place in the parade, and will lead the flag salute at the flag-raising ceremony. And, of course, winners get a story about them and a picture published in the COURIER’s special Fourth of July edition.

Each theme submitted must be five words or less and have no more than 36 characters (shorter themes are encouraged because it’s easier to have it printed on posters and t-shirts). Try to relate the theme to Independence Day. To enter, you must be in kindergarten through sixth grade, live in Claremont or go to a Claremont school.

The deadline to enter is Thursday, March 14 at your school office, or you can drop it to the city of Claremont at the Alexander Hughes Community Center (1700 Danbury Rd), or by email to specialevents@ci.claremont.ca.us.

The winner will be chosen by the Independence Day Committee, who will call you on or after March 22. Any duplicate winners will be picked by random drawing. The winner must be available to participate on July 4, 2019.

Previous theme winners include “Claremont Cheers to 70 Years!,” “Claremont’s Fabulous 4th,” “Independence Day the Claremont Way,” and “Claremont’s Grand Old Fourth.”

If writing isn’t your thing but you love musical performance, start practicing to audition to sing the National Anthem!

The rules are simple—you must be able to perform the National Anthem either a capella or with an acoustic instrumental.

Entrants may audition as a solo or group but they must be in seventh to 12th grade, live in Claremont or attend a Claremont school.

Applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 11 to your school office, directly to the city of Claremont at the Alexander Hughes Community Center, or by email to specialevents@ci.claremont.ca.us. 

All entrants must audition on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Hughes Center (1700 Danbury Rd.) in the Padua Room.

Friends and family are encouraged to attend and cheer you on. At the audition, you’ll need to perform “America the Beautiful” a capella with all contest participants and perform the National Anthem a capella. All entrants have the option to perform a second patriotic song of their choice.

The winner(s) will be contacted by phone no later than 24 hours after the audition. The winner will perform the National Anthem at the city’s fireworks show, receive fireworks tickets, recognition at the pre-parade reception, and a special place in the parade, as well as a write-up and picture in the COURIER special edition.

For information and application forms, visit claremont4th.org.