OAKHURST — As the country prepares for celebrations of all sizes to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, Visit Yosemite | Madera County announced a lineup of events throughout the region highlighting the area’s red, white, and blue pride.
Look up as one drives through the area, and get inspired by the 33 community art banners lining the streets with a special message from the Welcoming Committee celebrating America’s 250th.
Bass Lake will be bustling with parades by land and lake on July 4 weekend, beginning at The Pines Village on Friday, July 3 at 7 p.m. with the Patriotic Parade, followed by an afternoon of BBQs, live music, and fireworks displays on Saturday, July 4.
The 4th of July Boat Parade on the lake begins at 7 p.m., and be sure to stake out a spot on the shore for the fireworks display at 9 p.m.
In the Central Valley, the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at the Madera District Fairgrounds will welcome families beginning at 5 p.m., with plenty of bites, live music, games, and fireworks starting at dusk.
On July 4, Westbrook Wine Farm will release its first-ever wine that co-ferments all eight red Bordeaux varieties grown at Westbrook into a single, unified blend. The E Pluribus Unum blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carménère, Gros Verdot, and Saint-Macaire to create a Malmsey-style dessert wine that embodies the spirit of the nation. Raise a glass of E Pluribus Unum and let the celebrations continue.
The Summer of Celebration continues at beautiful Bass Lake, which turns 125 in 2026, and on August 15, the region is throwing a lake-wide birthday party.
Gather with friends, family, and community to explore events at businesses around the lake and at the resorts: The Pines Resort, The Forks Resort, and Miller’s Landing Resort. Visit the Bass Lake Chamber website to see the complete Summer of Celebration event calendar, and don’t forget a commemorative 250th T-shirt to mark the occasion.
“I remember the bicentennial celebration for America’s 200th birthday; although I was pretty young, the atmosphere was so celebratory that year,” expresses Rhonda Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite | Madera County. “I really want to recreate those feelings throughout our small towns in Madera County. We want visitors and locals to feel America’s 250th spirit all over the region.”
There is no better time to explore the nation’s national parks, and in 2026, Yosemite National Park is open to all without reservations, making it easier to access icons such as El Capitan, Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Giant Sequoias. Remember to purchase a digital entrance pass before arriving at Yosemite National Park, text “Yosemite” to 33311 for real-time parking and traffic alerts inside the park, and arrive early to make the most of your time there.
For a grander adventure, explore three of California’s premier national parks using the Majestic Mountain Loop self-guided itinerary through the icons of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, or leave the navigating to a professional and book a guided tour. Visit MajesticMountainLoop.com for the full itinerary and more information about each park.
Whether exploring the trails and icons of Yosemite National Park, enjoying community entertainment, or escaping to beautiful Bass Lake, Visit Yosemite | Madera County invites you to celebrate America250, southern Yosemite style.