City celebrates holiday, less restrictions

The city is coming back alive as restrictions are lessened and residents celebrated the Fourth of July.

Over 1,000 people gathered for the annual fireworks celebration for the Fourth of July, celebrating being in a large group for the first time in over 18 months.

The Shafter Rotary Club decorated Lerdo Highway with a parade of American Flags waving on the median.

Fireworks booths dotted the downtown and business areas, selling safe fireworks to celebrate the holiday, helping several clubs and organizations raise funds.

The Shafter Police Department had numerous patrols and officers around the city, looking for illegal fireworks as well as watching out for drunk drivers. The department also welcomed another new officer when Dale Frye was sworn in on June 24.

The Shafter Recreation Department is offering a variety of activities and classes for the young and the old. The Pony League Baseball season is concluding, with over 600 athletes registered in the different divisions.

Signups are ongoing for the NFL Flag Football season, with the games beginning at the end of July.

The recreation department are also sponsoring a Vendor Pop-Up event on Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be everything from baked goods, clothing, jewelry, as well as other crafts and items for sale.

With the ongoing announcement of the state of California being opened back up, the city of Shafter has remained adherent to the policies recommended by the Public Health Department and is following its guidelines as to the face covering policies put forth by the Kern County Public Health Department.

There are still businesses in Shafter that are requiring customers to wear a face covering, such as some doctor’s offices and clinics, as well as other professional services buildings. Restaurants and stores in the area are not requiring customers to wear a face covering if the person has been fully vaccinated.

There was no City Council meeting this week as the council voted to forego in observance of the July 4th holiday.