Yuma's Fourth of July starts on the third

  Friday is the beginning of the three-day Independence Day observance, but the Quechan Paradise Casinos are jumping ahead with a  daredevil motocross show and fireworks Thursday.

  The Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com Tour presented by Monster Energy will have motorcycle stunt jumps three times - 7, 8 and 9 p.m. - featuring Marc Burnett, SCORE champion off-road rider.

  "Paradise Casinos has the venue for spectators - all ages - (who) can enjoy the events, starting at 6:45 p.m. with flag raising by American Legion Post 802 and ending with the biggest, loudest, most elaborate fireworks in the area, for a half-hour, ending at 9:55,"  said Barrett Defay, director of marketing. "Families can bring their own picnic and lawn chairs."

 No admission is charged, with free sodas, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy and games for children. Food and vendor booths will be open.

 Pride Before the Fall will give a concert outside at 7:15. Inside at Sharky's Lounge (adults only), Casper and the Mighty 602 will play, starting at 10.
 KTTI-FM 95.1 radio will provide background music for the fireworks.

 Now: What's happening on the Fourth?

   - Caballero Park, 3400 S. Avenue  A - Ceremonies begin at 7:30 a.m. Charles Cordery, el presidente of Caballeros de Yuma, said, "This is the 22nd annual Independence Day flag-raising event that returns the focus of the holiday to American freedom. To that end, we salute the women and men of the armed forces who make that freedom possible."

 The flag will be raised to the top of Friendship Tower in the park and remain flying 200 feet above the ground for 10 days.

  The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 835, Yuma, will give the gun salute; the color guard is from the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma; Tara Rachelle Sullivan will sing "The Star Spangled Banner."

  Guest speaker will be Major Spence C. Guida from the Yuma Proving Ground. He is executive officer for the National Counter-Terrorism/Counter-Insurgency Integrated Test and Evaluation Command.

  Military awards will be presented to  Cpl. Charles B. Patrick, 2007-08 Marine of the Year, stationed at MCAS, by Don Foltz, chairman Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee.

  Chaplain Andrew Hayler, Lt. CHC, USN, from MCAS will give the invocation and benediction.

  Rob Filbey, event chairman, will be emcee and give closing remarks.

  The public is invited to the event, at no charge. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremonies.

   - 47th annual  parade, Engler Estates and San Marcos Villas -  At 9 a.m., the pledge of allegiance will be recited at the Christ Lutheran Church, 2555 S. Engler Ave., followed by the parade around the neighborhood.  he tradition was started in 1961 by Dr. and Mrs. Dale Webb and Dr. and Mrs. Charles Matheus. Participants wear red, white and blue and decorate bicycles, strollers, wagons, plus other vehicles,  pets and  roller skates.

  Parade marshal is Cody Beeson, a city councilman and former resident of the parade site, who will tell how the neighborhood parade affected his life.

  After the parade, refreshments will be available. A drawing will be held for flags presented by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 19, VFW Post 1763 and Auxiliary.

   - American Legion Post 19 and Ladies Auxiliary -  Starting at 10 a.m. and going until noon, the American Legion Post 19, 2575 Virginia Drive, is location for a watermelon-eating contest, train rides, games, a jumper, prizes, hot dogs and sodas.

  Event is open to the public at no charge.

   - Wellton celebrations - The Wellton pool will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. for free swimming. Coin toss competitions will be at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

  Food booths will open at 6:30 p.m. at Butterfield Park. A flag-raising ceremony and singing of the national anthem will be followed by fireworks at dark.

   - Cocopah Casino -  Events start at 5 p.m. on the lawn outside the Cocopah Casino, 15318 S. Avenue B.

  For families, there will be food and craft vendor booths and complimentary watermelon available. Performances by 80z Enough will be outside. Inside, for adults, performances will be at the Sunset Lounge, on the Side Stage and in the River Room.

   Fireworks will start after the show, at dark.

  No admission charged.

   - Joe Orduno Park, San Luis -  From 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., the Fourth of July celebration will be held in the park, 965 N. Park Ave., San Luis. There will be a variety of food available and free watermelon.

  Clowns and a jumping castle will be featured. Event is sponsored by the city of San Luis, Del Sol Market and Bajo El Sol.

 Music will be by Los Moonlights and The Silver Beats.

  Fireworks at dark will end the celebration, open to the public.

   - Yuma County Fairgrounds -  Gates will open at 6 p.m. in the grandstands, north in the fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St. Included are free games for children and a watermelon bust. A Demolition Derby will start at 8 p.m. with $1,000 for first prize. Call Dick's Towing, 726-6846, for entry details.

  The large fireworks show will start at dark, with more than 4 00 aerial shells, special effects and ground displays.

  Cost is $3 per person. Children ages 3 and younger are free.

   - Somerton event -  Activities will start at 7 p.m. for the Fourth of July celebration at Cesar Chavez Park in Somerton. Food booths will be open.

 Entertainment by Pachanga Movil(cq) Fireworks will start at 9:45 p.m.

 Sponsors are the city of Somerton and Food City at Riedel Plaza, San Luis.