By Khalida Sarwari
The San Jose community will have several options for watching the San Jose Giants post-game Fourth of July fireworks display for free on Saturday.
The official Independence Day Fireworks Show, sponsored by the San Jose Giants, the city of San Jose, Comcast and San Jose State University, will be held following the Giants game against the Modesto Nuts at 6:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.
Residents are invited to bring along lawn chairs and blankets and watch the fireworks display from the San Jose State University East Field next to Spartan Stadium or at Kelley Park. Parking for all three locations is $8. Coolers and alcohol are not permitted.
“We’re really excited given the community’s concern over the cancellation of the San Jose America Festival and other fireworks around town,” city spokeswoman Michelle McGurk said, citing insufficient funding from sponsors as the main reason behind the cancellation.
The city encourages residents to stay safe this Independence Day and refrain from using all fireworks, including “sparklers,” which can reach over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and account for 50 percent of fire-works related injuries to children under 5 and 10 percent of fireworks-related injuries overall, said fire Marshal and Deputy fire Chief David Schoonover.
Violators will face a fine of up to $1,000 and possible jail time for possessing, selling, storing, or using any materials deemed fireworks. For more information on the rules, laws, and regulations regarding fireworks in San Jose, residents can call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (408) 535-7750.