Here come the Fourth of July events

The 56th-annual July 4th Independence Day Parade, hosted by the Rotary Club of Idyllwild, steps off from Fern Valley Corners at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, heading down North Circle Drive to Village Center Drive, according to Rotary Parade Committee member Barbara Larsh. “The American Legion Post 800 Honor Guard again leads the entries this year,” she added.

Grand marshals for this year are Dave and Loie Butterfield, riding in their authentic Butterfield Stagecoach pulled by six horses. Cub Scout Pack 96 Idyllwild has the honor of carrying the grand marshal banner.

The parade will feature two returning bands, Idyllwild Arts Euphoria Brass Band and the University of California Riverside Pipes and Drums Band that won two top awards at the San Diego Scottish Highland Games last weekend.

Announcers will broadcast the entries’ information at three locations: Village Center area, La Casita Mexican Restaurant and near Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

Closed areas

Parade entries will line up between 8 and 9 a.m.

The staging area streets will be closed to through traffic at 8 a.m. so make sure if you wish to travel by vehicle on these streets, you do so before that time.

These areas are:

• Upper Pine Crest Avenue starting at Alderwood Street and up

• Jameson Avenue at Fir Street and up

• Tahquitz Drive at South Circle Drive and up

• South Circle Drive at Lodge Road and toward Fern Valley Corners

• Fern Valley Road at South Circle Drive

Also, cross streets at North Circle Drive will be closed to cross traffic at 9 a.m.

Idyllwild Rotary is providing several porta potties for the comfort of parade viewers: Village Center Drive, North Circle Drive at Alderwood Street and Fern Valley Corners.

Other holiday events

Besides the parade:

• Idyllwild Arts’ Parks Exhibition Center is open throughout the weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

• Donna Elliot’s portrait exhibit “Fashionable Idyllwild” opens at 4 p.m. Friday at Town Gallery.

• Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery begins a long weekend of music at 4 p.m. Friday with In the Pocket, roots and soul; 3 p.m. Saturday with Change Required, classic rock; noon Sunday with Jamie Guthrie and Lenny Hansell, country blues; 2 p.m. Sunday with Jason Lohrke, Neil Diamond tribute; and 9:30 a.m. Monday before and after the parade with Bryan and Laree Goodhead, 1970s music.

• American Legion Post 800 is holding a deep pit barbecue and Fourth of July party Saturday, July 2. Pork and beef servings begin at 3 p.m. The band Saint Steel Wood performs from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

• Idyllwild Community Center and Desert Sotheby’s International Realty is hosting Desert Crows, a classic rock band, at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Butterfield Amphitheater.

• And don’t forget the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at the Butterfield Amphitheater (see page B01.)