Bass Lake is already bursting at the seams this 4th of July.
The shores are filled with pop up shade tents and covered with beach towels and swimmers. The jet ski area is churned up from all the craft on the water, and boats are speeding up and down the length of the lake, towing skiers and tubers. The coves are filled with pontoon boats, and everyone is having fun.
At The Forks, where an ambulance sat idling, I spoke with the EMTs inside. They hoped for the best but are prepared for anything that could come their way. There will be a unit posted on either shore of the lake all throughout the day, as well as an EMT on the sheriffs patrol boat.
Law enforcement is out in equal force. With this many people in one place, on a day like this, there is bound to be the need for an emergency response. Due to high fire danger, the Sheriffs department will be strictly enforcing a zero tolerance policy for all fireworks.
Cars have already filled every available parking space along 222 near the day use sites, and cars had begun to park up 426. The only parking that I could see anywhere on my drive from The Forks to The Pines was on the north end of the low road. But that was around 1 pm, so I wouldn’t count on finding anything easy if you plan on going at any point today. And of course the longer you wait, the harder it will be to find a spot for the big show at sundown.
Along the low road, there were a lot of pedestrians, as well as golf carts covered in red, white and blue bunting. American flags can be seen in abundance, and everywhere I looked were reminders of the celebration of the birth of our nation, even an inflatable Uncle Sam in front of The Pines Bakery.
A boat parade kicks off the evenings festivities, beginning at 7 pm near Willow Cover. At approximately 9 pm, “Light Up The Sky”, Madera County’s largest fireworks show begins. The event is sponsored by The Bass Lake Chamber Of Commerce and funded by donations from the public (Click here to donate to the Bass Lake Chamber fireworks show!). The fireworks will be launched from a barge halfway between the Pines and The Forks marinas.
Have fun this 4th of July, but please be safe. If you’re going to drink, don’t drive. If you’re going to drive, don’t drink.
