RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Despite a record-breaking heat wave, the Fourth of July celebration in Rancho Murieta seemingly unfolded like it has for years. 

The day began at 7 a.m. with beaming Kiwanians serving breakfast and ended just before 10 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show. 

However, behind the scenes, the soaring temperatures posed significant challenges that could have derailed the grand finale. Only through the herculean efforts of four Rancho Murieta Association (RMA) Maintenance employees could the fireworks show proceed as planned. 

The phrase, "the show must go on," is an old saying in show business but it could easily be the motto for the Rancho Murieta Association employees after their remarkable efforts during this year's Fourth of July celebration.

Rancho Murieta Association General Manager Rod Hart said the problem originated with Pyro Spectaculars, which is responsible for the fireworks show. This company has been under contract with Rancho Murieta Association for years.

After a company supervisor contacted a labor pool to hire six to eight technicians to help him prepare for the Rancho Murieta show, Hart said, “he couldn’t get one person to work because of the heat. That’s why we had our people out there wiring and testing it afterward.”

Hart said the working conditions were even more miserable because the raft from which the fireworks are launched is covered with a black, heat-resistant material. That probably increased the temperature by another 15 degrees. 

“So kudos to our maintenance guys,” Hart said.

The fireworks snafu also put an end to the dance party that was slated from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gazebo. Families driving up in their golf carts and a growing cluster of teenagers were surprised to find their access blocked by caution tape around the parking lot and a half dozen security officers per the orders of a fire inspector. 

Despite this, a disc jockey continued blasting tunes from inside the gazebo, prompting several visitors to dance on the sidewalk. The caution tape was removed just before the fireworks show began. However, after the show ended, the crowd of teenagers inside the gazebo began dancing. Although exuberant, with many sipping from cans of beer, the teenagers didn’t cause any issues and began drifting away as the night progressed.      

Likely due to the early timing,  the heat didn’t hamper the three morning activities – the parade, the pancake breakfast or the fun run. 

Parade.

Rancho Murieta Association sponsored the 10 a.m. parade along Murieta Parkway. Three horn-blaring Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District trucks led the way, followed by three patrol cars from the California Highway and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s and a contingent from Scout Troop 633 with an honor guard and a golf cart bearing candy for the spectators.

The community’s Hometown Heroes led a motorized division of the parade with some waving from a 1926 Chevrolet Utility Express Truck. Following them were even more military veterans affiliated with Veterans of Foreign Wars riding in a trailer.  A long line of gleaming vintage cars completed the segment.

Decorated golf carts made up the bulk of the parade entries. Most of them were celebrating the nation’s birthdays with American flags. Streamers, ribbons, garlands, canners, shiny signs and pompoms – all in red and white and blue – added to the festive atmosphere. One resident mounted a flag pole to his cart, showcasing his patriotic spirit.

Compared to previous years, fewer golf carts were completely transformed for the parade. However, this year’s entries were still imaginative and festive.  They included a golf cart transformed into a lantern fish, a tribute to bumblebees, and a depiction of the flowery Pixie Nation. But the most elaborate was the pirate ship complete with Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and even the crocodile.

Although not a golf cart, the Summerfest parade entry centered around a wooden Ferris wheel, adding a whimsical touch to the event.

The list of parade winners wasn’t available at press time but will be published in the next edition.

Pancake breakfast

Kiwanians Bonnie Shewchuk and Angie Friedrich supervised the pancake breakfast that opened at 7 a.m. and served about 800 customers. The menu included scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausage, along with orange juice, coffee and condiments. The Kiwanians used grills to cook the pancakes and sausages on the site and transported the fresh scrambled eggs from the country club kitchen.

For the first time, the Kiwanians offered blueberry pancakes, thanks to Kasey Cronquist, who moved to Rancho Murieta last year and is president of the North American Blueberry Council. “The blueberry pancakes seemed to be a big hit,” Friedrich said.

The two breakfast coordinators also bid farewell to long-time volunteers Sue and Jack Frost, who are moving to Arkansas after her second term as a Sacramento County supervisor ends. Shewchuk and Friedrich surprised the Frosts with a proclamation drawn up by Kiwanian Jack Seigal, lauding them for their dedicated efforts over the years.

Asked why she and her husband had shown up for every pancake breakfast since she had been elected, Frost said:  “It is a tradition. We wouldn’t miss it. It’s what we do on the Fourth of July.”

Attendee Candace Hern had nothing but praise for the breakfast. 

“There were no lines. People had a good breakfast and the blueberry pancakes were outstanding this year,” she said. “It was a great way to start the Fourth of July.”

Fun run

Erin (Howard) Bailey of Murieta Health Club sponsored the 44th annual Fun Run near the North Gazebo and handed out necklaces and bottled water.

The fun run drew 300 runners and walkers, the largest crowd ever, with some pushing strollers, kids riding bikes and dogs on leashes. The event was comprised of a 5-kilometer run and a shorter route, with both beginning at 7:30 a.m. This year’s participants ranged in age between 9 months and 84 years.

About 20 youngsters also turned out for the children’s races across the street that began at 8:15 a.m. Everyone received a prize. 

As was the case last year, about 25 members of the Pleasant Grove High School cross-country team were the top finishers. Ryan Almog came in first for the boys with a time of 15:19 minutes, which was a second slower than last year.

 The first female was Alona Dota, although her time wasn’t recorded. 

Ava Lingo, 12, participated in the race with her two brothers, her parents and their dog. 

“I like to start my day with an accomplishment,” she said.