Pico Rivera to skip annual Fourth of July celebration again this year

PICO RIVERA, CA — Pico Rivera will once again forgo its annual Fourth of July celebration, with city officials citing venue limitations despite the completion of renovations at El Rancho High School.

In a message to residents, the city said the high school's newly renovated stadium now features an artificial turf field with usage restrictions that prevent large public events from being held there. Officials also said Smith Park, the city's alternate venue, remains unavailable as construction continues on a new community center and public pool.

The city cancelled its Fourth of July celebration in 2024 because construction at El Rancho High School and along Mines Avenue left officials without a suitable venue for the event.

Last year, Pico Rivera again did not host a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration as several Southeast LA communities canceled or scaled back Fourth of July events amid concerns over federal immigration enforcement activity and its potential impact on attendance and public safety.

In its announcement, the city acknowledged residents' disappointment but described this year's pause as a "temporary setback." Officials said they look forward to gathering again once the Smith Park project is complete.

The announcement comes as communities across the country celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial—or, 250th birthday.