🎆 Your 4th of July Guide!

Hey neighbors,

Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop! We’ve got some local city updates and your July 4th event guide for the holiday weekend! Let’s dive in.

Atherton approves balanced budget with surplus

Atherton has adopted a balanced budget for the new fiscal year and is projecting a healthy surplus, even as many Bay Area cities grapple with deficits. The town expects general fund revenues of about $24.7 million and expenditures of about $22.1 million, resulting in an operating surplus of roughly $2.6 million. Property taxes remain the town’s largest revenue source, accounting for about 70% of general fund income, and officials say Atherton continues to maintain reserves above its required minimum. For residents, the budget suggests the town is in a relatively strong financial position heading into the coming year, with continued funding available for municipal services and infrastructure. Read more here. 

Historic Maryknoll Seminary property sells for $43 million

The century-old Maryknoll Seminary campus overlooking Interstate 280 has sold for about $43 million, marking a major transition for one of the Peninsula’s most recognizable religious properties. The site, located in southwestern Los Altos near Interstate 280, has been a landmark for generations and includes historic buildings and extensive grounds. The buyer was identified in property records as Saint Therese Holdings, though future plans for the property have not yet been fully detailed publicly. Neighbors and preservation advocates will likely be watching closely to see whether the site remains largely intact or becomes a candidate for redevelopment in the years ahead. Read more here. 

Page Mill Road project causes traffic headaches in Palo Alto

Drivers in Palo Alto have been experiencing significant delays as construction continues on the Page Mill Road and El Camino Real intersection improvement project. The county-led work is intended to improve traffic flow, reduce queuing, and add safety upgrades for cyclists and pedestrians at one of the city’s busiest intersections. In the short term, however, lane closures and changing traffic patterns have created backups for commuters traveling between Interstate 280 and U.S. Highway 101 via Page Mill Road. Residents may want to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes while construction is underway. Read more here

🎬 Movie on the Square: Elio and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/2 | more
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a free outdoor double feature for all ages under the stars in Courthouse Square.

🎭 Hamilton Film Screening | Menlo Park | Menlo Park Library | 7/2 | more
Experience the acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton on the big screen during this free community film screening at the library.

🌶️ Chili Cook-Off and Summer Festival | Palo Alto | Mitchell Park | 7/4 | more
Sample award-worthy chili, enjoy live music, games, and family-friendly activities, and celebrate the Fourth of July at this popular community festival.

🎪 Fourth of July Celebration and Circus | Menlo Park | Burgess Park | 7/4 | more
Celebrate the holiday with a parade starting at 11am, live circus performances starting at 12pm, and other entertainment, games, food, and family activities throughout Burgess Park.

🎆 Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular with the San Francisco Symphony | Mountain View | Shoreline Ampitheatre | 7/4 | more
Cap off the holiday with the San Francisco Symphony performing "Summer of 1969: The Soundtrack of a Generation," followed by a grand fireworks finale after dark. Ampitheatre seating is ticketed (discounted for Mountain View residents), but you should be able to see the fireworks for free from many spots around adjacent Shoreline Park.

🇺🇸 Fourth of July Parade | Los Altos Hills | Town Hall | 7/4 | more
Dress in your red, white, and blue and join this festive neighborhood parade, ending with watermelon, refreshments, and a chance to meet horses from the Los Altos Hills Horsemen's Association that will be a part of the parade!

🎇 Independence Day Celebration | Los Altos | Shoup Park | 7/4 | more
Celebrate the Fourth with live music, family-friendly entertainment, games, and plenty of patriotic fun at Shoup Park.

🎪 74th Annual Woodside Junior Rodeo | Woodside | Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County | 7/4 | more
Visit the Annual Woodside Junior Rodeo with steer wrestling, barrel racing, pole-bending, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a barbecue at the Mounted Patrol grounds (521 Kings Mountain Road).

🎆 Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks | Downtown Redwood City, Fireworks @ the Port of Redwood City | 7/4 | more
Enjoy a day packed with festivities, including the Pancake Breakfast, Chalk Full of Fun Chalk Festival, the Fourth of July Parade, the Downtown Festival, live music and food trucks at the Port, and the exciting return of the fireworks show to cap off the celebration.

🎺 4th of July Parade | Redwood City | Downtown | 7/4 | more
Line the streets of downtown Redwood City to cheer on colorful floats, marching bands, community groups, and performers during one of the Peninsula's longest-running and the largest Independence Day parade in Northern California .

🎆 An Old-Fashioned Fourth | Redwood City | San Mateo County History Museum | 7/4 | more
After the downtown parade, step inside the 1910 courthouse for 1880s-style craft workshops, pinwheel and paper-parachute making for kids, and a 1 p.m. screening of "A Beautiful Place to Live," featuring Peninsula footage from the 1930s. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

🇺🇸 Fourth of July Celebration | Foster City | Leo J. Ryan Park | 7/4 | more
Spend the holiday enjoying live entertainment, family games, food trucks, community festivities, and the beloved family and dog parades at this all-day Fourth of July celebration. Event vendors start at 9am and entertainment and activities continue through 4pm. Please note - there is not a firework show this year.

🎉 Family and Dog Parade | Foster City | The VIBE Teen Center / Shell Boulevard | 7/4 | more
Dress in your best red, white, and blue, decorate your bikes, wagons, and pups, and join this festive community parade before the Fourth of July celebration begins. Check-in if participating in the parade is 10-1045 before starting promptly at 11:05. The parade will end at the amphitheater at Leo Ryan Park for the rest of the 4th of July festivities.

🇺🇸 4th of July in the Park | San Mateo | Central Park | 7/4 | more
Enjoy a festive Fourth of July celebration featuring live music, family activities, delicious food, and a fun-filled afternoon in Central Park. Activities will start at 11am with the concert from 12-2.

📖 Unearth a Story | Redwood City | Magical Bridge Playground | 7/7 | more
Discover a fun story outdoors through this interactive reading experience that combines literacy, play, and exploration.

🥗 Garden Fresh Luncheon | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 7/8 | more
Enjoy a seasonal luncheon inspired by fresh garden ingredients while taking in the beauty of Gamble Garden's blooming grounds.

☯️ Tai Chi | Redwood City | Redwood Shores Branch Library | 7/8 | more
Improve balance, flexibility, and relaxation with a free Tai Chi session suitable for beginners and experienced participants alike.

🎶 Soak Up the Summer Vibes: Carnaval | Los Altos | Grant Park Soccer Field | 7/9 | more
Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy an energetic evening of live music as Carnaval kicks off another summer concert night.

🍿 Movie on the Square: Shrek and A Minecraft Movie | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 7/9 | more
Enjoy a free outdoor double feature featuring family favorite Shrek followed by A Minecraft Movie in the heart of downtown.