Fireworks booths will be in operation later this month and a special July 4 gathering is also set for Sunday, June 30 at Hogan-Ennis Park adjacent to the city’s Community Center.

Members of the Escalon City Council previously hosted the lottery-style drawing for local non-profit groups to host the fireworks booths. One of the four available is always set aside for the Escalon Parks Foundation – the proceeds helping to finance the skatepark, among other items – and that booth will be adjacent to D’Boni’s Pizza in the 2200 block of Jackson Avenue. Also winning booths and getting ready for the busy ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks season are the Escalon Ag Boosters, partnered with the local American Legion, with their booth at Ace Hardware, 3300 block McHenry; Escalon Covenant Church at 1155 Escalon Ave.; and Escalon High School Sports Boosters, setting up at MarVal in the 1900 block of McHenry.

Booths can start setting up on Wednesday, June 26 and the sales of Safe and Sane fireworks can begin at noon on Friday, June 28. Booths can remain open for sales through midnight on Thursday, July 4.

Meanwhile, Escalon Covenant Church will also host its annual Independence Day Celebration, welcoming local families to the fun event. Scheduled for Sunday, June 30 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the suggested donation is $3 per person/$10 maximum per family.

Theme this year for the July 4 celebration is “Food, faith, and fun for the entire family!”

Featured will be an obstacle course, bounce house, a watermelon-eating contest, the barbecue dinner, ice cream, music, and fireworks to wrap up the event.

Tickets can be purchased online, which will automatically enter attendees into a drawing for prizes. Go to escaloncovenant.org to purchase tickets or stop by the church office at 1155 Escalon Ave.; dinner tickets can also be purchased the day of the event.

Bring lawn chairs to enjoy the dinner, music and fireworks show.