TO: Chair and Members of the Park Planning and Community Events Commission
THRU: Leslie Hardy, Community and Library Services Director
FROM: Emily Bustamante, Community Services Assistant Director???
1. SUBJECT
title
??2026 3rd of July Celebration?
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2. SUMMARY
Consideration of a financially feasible re-imagined 3rd of July Celebration in connection with the celebration of the USA250 in 2026.
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3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
1. Review and provide feedback on the proposed 3rd of July event concept.
2. Select up to three Park Planning and Community Events Commissioners to serve on a 3rd of July Celebration Fundraising Subcommittee.
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4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 3.7: Continue to offer high quality and efficient, city led recreation programs.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Background
On June 25, 2024, the City Council voted to cancel all future special events after July 4, 2024 and funding was eliminated due to budget challenges. On June 28, 2024, Council authorized the continuation of special events on an individual basis if the City received full sponsorships for the event. As a result, the remaining 2024 Concerts in the Park were sponsored by a local business, Treats in the Streets was sponsored and put on by a local non-profit group, and the Tree Lighting event was sponsored by a non-profit and implemented by City staff. Furthermore, in 2025, with no budget for events and reductions in staffing, the 2025 3rd of July event was cancelled, and Concerts in the Park, Treats in the Streets, and Tree Lighting received commitments from local non-profit groups for funding and implementation for multiple years.
?3rd of July Celebration
?For many years, the City of Orange has hosted a large-scale 3rd of July Celebration featuring live patriotic music, fireworks, and ticketed admission. While the event has been well-attended, it has become increasingly cost-prohibitive due to rising expenses associated with fi...
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