The official July 4 holiday this year falls on a Wednesday, but the community of Escalon is already gearing up for the celebration. Fireworks booths open for business this week in four locations around the city and the annual celebration at the Hogan-Ennis Park complex is also on the schedule.

Residents can purchase the State Fire Marshal-approved ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks from Thursday, June 28 at noon through Wednesday, July 4 at midnight. Escalon Parks Foundation will host its booth in the Escalon Center parking lot on Jackson Avenue (Highway 120), situated near D’Boni’s and adjacent to Hula’s. The Escalon Ag Boosters booth will be set up in the parking lot at Big Boy Market on Jackson Avenue. Escalon Covenant Church will have a booth set up in the church parking lot at 1155 Escalon Ave., and the booth run by the Escalon Sports Boosters will be in the MarVal Main Street Market parking lot in the Vineyard Square shopping complex on McHenry Avenue.

All the booths are staffed by volunteers from the various organizations and money raised helps support the programs and services they provide to the community.

In advance of the actual holiday, Escalon Covenant Church is planning its special Fourth of July Celebration, set for Sunday, July 1 at the Hogan-Ennis Park adjacent to the city’s Community Center. Running from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be music, games, food and a fireworks show after sundown. There is a suggested donation of $3 per person, $10 max cost per family for the dinner that will be served, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, chips, watermelon and drinks. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at Escalon Covenant Church, online at escaloncovenant.org or can be purchased at the event.

The fireworks used for the nighttime display are the ‘Safe and Sane’ ones that can legally be used in Escalon.

With its fireworks and accompanying lights and noise, Escalon Police officials noted that it is a tough holiday for many pets.

Some tips to keep your pets safe as the holiday approaches include: keeping animals inside and away from the fireworks, check their ID tags and microchips and make sure they are up to date just in case the animal becomes frightened and runs off.

Officials also said it is best to bring the pets inside well before the fireworks are anticipated and if possible, stay with the pet during the setting off of fireworks in the neighborhood. Leaving them outside, such as chained to a post or in a doghouse, subjects them to the noise of the fireworks and can be traumatic.

Keep some lights on in the home and also close the curtains, which can reduce noise and protect your pets from the flashing of fireworks.