OROVILLE – The annual Independence Day Fireworks will see a change in venue this year as the event returns to the North Thermalito Forebay for the first time since 2019.
“We did a survey a while back and the general consensus was the best place for the general community to view the display was the Forebay,” said Eric Smith, Oroville Chamber of Commerce CEO.
The free community celebration will start just after dark at approximately 9:25 p.m. at the North Thermalito Forebay, 930 Garden Drive, on July 4. No watercraft will be permitted on the Forebay water after dark. There will be an $8 per car parking fee.
The Nelson Sports Complex, 2255 6th Street, will also be open to the public as a viewing location. The facility’s pool will not be open for the event. Parking is free.
“The district is excited and looking forward to offering the Nelson complex to the community for fireworks viewing,” said Brian Wilson, Feather River Recreation and Park District general manager.
Both venues offer plenty of parking, shade and picnic areas. There will be food trucks, vendors representing local nonprofits and music at the Forebay during the event. The community is encouraged to bring coolers, picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs to both locations. No glass containers, alcoholic beverages or pets are permitted at the Nelson Sports Complex.
The Oroville Economic Alliance, the chamber of commerce’s nonprofit coalition of business advocates and local agencies, set a fundraising goal of $30,000 for this year’s event. To date, OEA has raised more than $18,000.
“Our goal is to have this year’s display be at least as big if not bigger than last year when we raised just over $25,000,” said Smith.
To make a donation to the community event go to www.visitoroville.com and click on “signature events.” The site also includes a map of the fireworks launch site and viewing locations.
The pyrotechnic display was held on Lake Oroville with viewing from the top of Lake Oroville Dam for many years until 2018 when, following the 2017 break in the lake’s spillway structure, it was moved to the North Thermalito Forebay.
In 2020 the event was once again moved, this time to the Oroville Municipal Airport due to COVID restrictions. While the airport location didn’t permit on-site viewing, the display could be seen from areas throughout the city and surrounding communities.
“At that time, during COVID, everyone wanted something in that moment. They wanted a little bit of normal and, since the airport was under the purview of the city, not the state like the Forebay, we moved it,” said Smith. “But the Forebay is a better overall place for the general public. It’s taken a while but we’re happy to be moving back to the Forebay.”
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