"We wanted to honor our rich diversity here in Fresno, our unity, as well as to honor those who have served and continue to serve our country," Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said.
The free celebration is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Activities will begin at Mariposa Plaza with live music and cultural performances, then expand to nearby Kern Plaza and the Brewery District, where streets will be closed to accommodate the festivities. The day will conclude at Chukchansi Park with a fireworks show for families.
Organizers say the event highlights the city's history and culture while bringing residents together in the heart of downtown.
"This is the historic roots of our community. Think about the 250-year stretch of the USA. What's the place that's been the most part of that? It's downtown," said Elliott Balch, the Downtown Fresno Partnership CEO.
Public safety officials said security will be a major focus of the celebration following recent violent incidents in downtown Fresno and at River Park. Those incidents prompted the Fresno Police Department to launch a violence suppression operation and implement a summer curfew.
Authorities said residents can expect a visible law enforcement presence throughout the event and across the city.
"They're going to see officers out on motorcycles, doing traffic enforcement. You're going to see officers in the patrol vehicles. They're going to see some of our officers on foot patrols. Of course, there's going to be some officers that you won't be able to see," Fresno police Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega said.
Police said their efforts will not be limited to downtown.
"We will not only have officers patrolling and conducting a DUI checkpoint, but we will also have officers patrolling the neighborhoods and ensure that their celebrations are patrolled," Vega said.
The Fresno Fire Department is also increasing staffing for the holiday. Officials said downtown crews will be on standby during the event, supported by two additional fire engines. Drones will be used to help identify people using illegal fireworks.
Fire officials noted that the Fourth of July is traditionally their busiest night of the year. Last year, the department responded to 133 fires during the holiday.
"Roughly a fire is reported every five minutes, so our resources are responding across the city nonstop from call to call to call for the 12-hour time period," Fresno Fire Department spokesperson Josh Sellers said.
Despite the extensive preparations, city leaders said they hope the emphasis remains on celebrating the holiday and Fresno's community spirit. Museums will be open, cultural attractions will be showcased, and organizers say the event will honor both the nation's history and Fresno's heritage.
"Just seeing people come downtown celebrating one America, One Fresno," Dyer said.
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