Registration Open for Fourth of July 5K and Parade, Volunteers Needed

The red, white and bluest day of the year is almost here, and Pleasant Hill is getting ready for an annual celebration that starts with a "firecracker" run and ends with the sky ablaze with fireworks.

Locals can take part by registering for Firecracker 5K Fun Run to benefit Pleasant Hill schools. Registration can be done online before 12:59 p.m. on June 30 and costs between $25 and $30 or $65 for a family of three, which includes a commemorative t-shirt. Children under 7 years old are free, but with no t-shirt. The run is divided into age groups, starting with children 12 and under, and there are prizes for those in first place as well as runners with the most patriotic attire, runners with strollers and runners with a canine companion.

The race kicks off at 8 a.m. at 45 Crescent Drive, in front of the Clock Tower, and continues through the downtown area, following the same route as the parade. Runners make three laps around the course. Click Here to see the 5K route.

A Fourth of July parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at Contra Costa Boulevard and Woodsworth Lane and proceeds down Contra Costa and along Crescent Drive to finish at Boyd and Cleaveland. Click here for a parade route map. This year's theme is "We The People – An American Melting Pot." Parade entries are due by June 21.

Following the parade, the party moves to Pleasant Hill Park for free entertainment, games and rides. The fun goes until 1:30 p.m. and includes contests, clowns and even a petting zoo. Back Forty Texas BBQ Restaurant will also be there, cooking a variety of hot foods on-site.

Then, it's over to College Park High School for the evening fireworks. The ethereal celebration starts at dusk, around 9:15 p.m. Live music will be provided by Cover2Cover.

Volunteers are needed throughout the day to help with the 5K run, parade, party in the park and firework display. Email Anthony Crockett, antcro2002(at)yahoo(dot)com, for more information.

Find out more about Pleasant Hill's Fourth of July celebration at PHJuly4.com and on Facebook.