After working as a volunteer with one of the organizations that helps with the 4th of July celebration for many years, I thought I might pass along some unofficial hints that might help some Idyllwilders enjoy the holiday even more.

1. If you live in Fern Valley, plan on using Lodge and South Circle to enter or exit that area beween 8 a.m. and noon. The Four Corners intersection at the top of North Circle will be nearly impassable with entries lined up for the parade. Your blood pressure will skyrocket if you attempt to access Fern Valley using Pine Crest or North Circle.

2. If you are a business owner on North Circle, warn your employees who are scheduled to arrive at work between 10 a.m. and noon that North Circle will be closed for the parade at 10 a.m. They should leave for work early as they may have to walk a block or two to get to work. We will probably have many tourists here, and parking will be difficult to find.

3. Merchants would be wise to advise their delivery services not to plan any deliveries the first half of the day and also advise your business service personnnel (trash pickup, etc.) not to plan on any pickups until later in the day.

4. I would urge anyone who must use North Circle Drive to enter or exit your property to plan on doing so either before the parade (10 a.m.) or after the parade (noon).

By following the above suggestions, you will be able to enjoy the holiday celebration along with the rest of us.

Robert E. Rahman
Idyllwild