Garden Grove Journal

  While Independence Day activities often include setting off fireworks and burning the bratwurst, that’s not all that’s going on this Saturday in the Garden Grove-Stanton area.

   The holiday observations of the Fourth of July will begin at 10 a.m. in the Festival Amphitheater on Main Street in downtown Garden Grove. In an event sponsored by Shakespeare Orange County, members of the community are invited to participate in a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

  “Last year’s reading was an emotional experience for many of those who attended, and this year’s performance will again be a reminder of the liberties that we, as Americans, must fight to preserve,” said Tom Bradac, producing artistic director of SOC, which is the resident theater company at the Amphitheater.

  Actors from the SOC will be on hand to read the nation’s founding document, but participation by members of the public is invited. Admission is free.

  At 11 a.m. the Crystal Cathedral will conduct a “Let Freedom Ring” concert on its outdoor 19-ton, 52-bell carillon.

  “I will be in concert with other bells, chimes and carillons across the United States,” said Rich Breitenbacher, the cathedral’s carilloneur. It’s part of a nationwide National Bell Ringing Ceremony begun in 1963.

  The ceremony will begin with the largest bell sounding 13 times (one for each of the original 13 states), followed by a 45-minute concert of patriotic music, including “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

  Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the concert on the grounds of the cathedral, located at Chapman Avenue and Lewis Street in Garden Grove.

   For those who make music with their barbecues, the Garden Grove Elks Lodge will host “Big Daddy’s Fourth of July Family Picnic and Chili Cookoff” at the lodge park at Newhope Street and Trask Avenue.

  A $3 gate fee will be charge for a day of live entertainment. Hamburgers, hot dogs and other refreshments will be available for donations to Elks charities. Cash prizes will be awarded for winners of the chili contest. 

   One traditional are event won’t be available. The annual fireworks show at Westminster High School sponsored by the City of Westminster has been cancelled “due to budget cuts and the lack of a suitable location,” according to Greg Johnson, of the city’s community services and recreation department.