THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS:

INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

CAR SHOW, PARADE, AND DRONE SHOW!!!

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY JUNE 27TH:

• OPENING CEROMONIES 6:00PM @Central Park

• PARADE 6:30PM

• DRONE SHOW 9:00PM

  SATURDAY JUNE 28TH:

  8:00AM TO 1:00PM

• CAR SHOW

• TROPHIES AWARDED AT 12:30pm

  (2024 had over 30 trophies)

• FARMERS MARKET

• MAKERS MARKET

  CAR SHOW:

  Cars can start lining up at 6:30am first come first serve parking, please come with your group to park with each other.

  A detailed email will go out Wednesday June 25th about check in.

  **The event may end earlier than advertised due to weather.**

VENDORS, TALENT & VOLUNTEERS:

If you are interested in being apart of the event or if would like to carol, sing, or showcase any other talents please email Director@TurlockDowntown.com

2025 GRAND MARSHAL

It is with great pride and gratitude that we honor Abe Rojas as the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Turlock Independence Day Parade.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Abe volunteered and served from 1954 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict. Born in Hughson, California and raised in Turlock, Abe is the youngest of 12 children. His remarkable story is deeply rooted in his family’s journey — his parents were born in Mexico City, Mexico, migrated to El Paso, Texas in 1915, then to Le Grand and ultimately settled in Hughson in 1921. In 1940, they made Turlock their permanent home. His father, a veteran of the Mexican Revolution who fought alongside Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, came to the United States wounded but determined to build a better life.

Abe’s life is a legacy of service, sportsmanship, and community leadership. He attended Hawthorne Elementary, Turlock High School (where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball), Modesto Junior College, Cal Poly Pomona (where he played football), and California State University, Stanislaus.

Abe served the City of Turlock for about 13 years as a part-time Recreation Supervisor before serving 25 years as Parks and Recreation Director, retiring in 1993. He is credited with leading the development of Pedretti Park Sports Complex, completed in 1982, and was honored with a field named after him at the Turlock Regional Sports Complex — a tribute to his vision and dedication.

His involvement in the community is vast and unwavering:

13 years as a Trustee for the Turlock Joint Union High School District

25 years as a Trustee for the Yosemite Community College District

Over 50 years coaching sports at all levels

Inducted into the CSU Stanislaus Hall of Fame in 2011 and Pitman Highschool Hall of Fame in 2024

Volunteer and supporter of CSUS athletic programs, the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, local schools, and charitable organizations

Abe is known for his jogging, 5k's, 10k's and half marathons and even into his 80s, Abe continues to walk 2+ miles a day, umpired softball, refereed junior high basketball, and played senior slow-pitch softball in tournaments until age 86. He also officiated at high school and junior high levels for the Northern California Officials Association.

Abe has been the recipient of numerous awards, including:

Turlock Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year

Turlock Jaycees Outstanding Young Man Award

Bell Award for Outstanding Service to Education

Distinguished Service Award from the Turlock Jaycees

Multiple PTA Community Service Awards

But the award Abe is most proud of is the Paul Harris award from Rotary International.

Abe Rojas represents the very best of Turlock — a man of character, resilience, and lifelong commitment to service. His legacy lives on not only in the parks he built or the teams he coached, but in the thousands of lives he touched across generations.

NOW ACCEPTING 2026 GRAND MARSHAL NOMINATIONS!

Do you know someone who embodies the spirit of service, community pride, or patriotic leadership? We’re looking for an outstanding individual to lead this year’s 4th of July Parade as Grand Marshal!

Whether they’re a veteran, local hero, long-standing volunteer, or someone who’s made a positive impact in our community — we want to hear about them!

📅 Deadline to nominate: May 1st 2026

📨 Submit your nomination with a short paragraph about why they deserve this honor to: Director@TurlockDowntown.com

Let’s honor the best among us as we celebrate our freedom and community!

#GrandMarshal #TurlockParade #IndependenceDay #TurlockStrong #CelebrateFreedom

Downtown Turlock’s FORMING AMERICA

video shorts series

A series of shorts and visuals from the true stories and historical texts compiled together by Alix Ribeiro, Gary Duffy and Travis Regalo. Check our social media or back here for updates as this series is released.