Community residents are encouraged to join the festivities on Friday, as the Escalon Covenant Church hosts its annual community Independence Day Celebration. The gathering, this year on July 3, is open to all and is staged at the Escalon Community Center Park. Activities run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and a barbecue dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., including barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, watermelon, drinks and more.