Fireworks to light up Canyon Lake

With July 4 falling on a Monday, the long three-day weekend makes for even bigger crowds over the weekend with huge celebrations taking place on Independence Day. Aside from the obvious Monday lake and fireworks activities, the weekend leading up to the big day should be loaded as well.

The weather should cooperate. After a few days of triple-digit heat, Canyon Lake is expected be in the mid-80s most of the long weekend with mostly clear skies. Canyon Lakers and their guests are expected to hit the beaches and the lake for a long day of swimming, sunbathing and boating before the fireworks show begins at approximately 9:00 p.m. As in years’ past, the fireworks will be launched from Skipper’s Island.

To enhance the experience, spectators can tune in to their radios at 99.9 FM to hear music synchronized to the fireworks show from anywhere around the lake. From the Lodge patio area, Mike Shroyer of Good Time Entertainment will also be playing music beginning at 8:00 p.m. up until just before the fireworks begin.

To help Canyon Lakers have a more fun and less stressful day, the Canyon Lake POA has provided instructions and guidelines for the various amenities and roadways. Everyone spending the day in Canyon Lake on Independence Day should take a moment and review the following information, including the map on Page A19.

JULY 4TH REMINDERS

The Canyon Lake POA is proud to have the opportunity to celebrate America with our traditional spectacular fireworks show on July 4th. Residents and visitors are encouraged to be mindful and courteous of those around you.

TRAFFIC & ROAD CLOSURES

BEFORE THE SHOW

Beginning at noon on July 4, per the Fire Chief, there is No Parking or viewing on any launch ramps or roads leading to a launch ramp.

Happy Camp

At 2:00 p.m., Longhorn Drive will close at Strawberry Lane to Happy Camp. Only Longhorn Drive residents past Strawberry Lane, guests at Happy Camp, or emergency vehicles may pass. Guests should be prepared to show their guest passes with their host’s address, or camping pass (if they are staying at Happy Camp).

All traffic (including pedestrian traffic) to Happy Camp is stopped at 8:30 p.m.

Other Street Closures

The following closures will occur at 8:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the show:

Lighthouse Drive at Vacation Drive to the Lodge

Canyon Club Drive at Canyon Lake Drive North

Main Causeway from Village Way Drive to Vacation Drive

Blue Teal Drive will close once causeway is closed

No parking on Main, North or Longhorn causeways

AFTER THE SHOW

Below are reminders to help make exiting Holiday Harbor and Lodge areas easier. Community Patrol and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will be directing vehicles to the quickest community exit, please keep in mind this could be in an alternate direction of your desired exit.

Pedestrian traffic will be given priority along Canyon Club Drive and the Main Causeway in the first 30 minutes after the show.

Village Way Drive – Vehicles (including golf carts) exiting Village Way Drive after the fireworks show will only be able to turn right onto Canyon Lake Drive South.

Exiting the Lodge – Vehicles (including golf carts) will be required to exit onto Lighthouse Drive. From Lighthouse Drive, vehicles may turn left or right onto Vacation Drive.

Vacation Drive Stop Sign – At the stop sign corner of Vacation Drive and Canyon Lake Drive North, vehicles exiting the show will only be able to make a left turn onto Canyon Lake Drive towards the East Gate.

Fireworks start at 9:00 p.m. Tune into 99.9 FM to hear music synchronized to the fireworks show.

COMMUNITY ACCESS

Community Patrol will have extra staff on hand at all three gates to help move the flow of traffic through the gates as quickly as possible. All gates will have additional staff walking the line to assist guests with accessing the community.

Main & East Gates: RFID lanes will be open to residents with RFID transponders. The other two lanes at these gates will be open for guests or residents.

North Gate: Both lanes at North Gate will be for guests or residents.

GUEST INFORMATION

Those inviting guests into the community are encouraged to utilize the ePass service. Members can log into their dwellingLIVE account online or through the mobile app and email their guest a pass. Guests can print the pass ahead of time, or the gate attendant can scan the pass on their smartphone. Guests will still need to provide their valid driver’s license along with the ePass. For guests who did not print the pass, the gate attendant will issue a parking pass which will need to be displayed on the dashboard during their visit.

It is important to remind your guests that they must have a valid driver’s license in their possession when entering the community. Also, advise your guests to know your address, this will help the Community Patrol verify their information quicker at the gates.

BOATING REMINDERS

Boat Registration

Unregistered boats are not permitted on the lake. Marine Patrol will be verifying boats for current registration at all launch ramps. Unregistered boats are subject to a $500 citation. Those who need to have a safety inspection completed on their boats in order to register them should call Marine Patrol at 951.244.6841 x415 to schedule an appointment.

Skippers Island

Skippers Island and its dock are closed Saturday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 5.

Gas Dock

The gas dock will have intermittent closures throughout the day on July 4 and will close for the night at 4:00 p.m.

Boating on July 4

On July 4, no riders may be towed from any vessel on the main lake after noon.

Boating During Fireworks

Boats must maintain a safe distance from Skippers Island during the fireworks. If you are boating, please pay attention to the temporary red and white buoys with lights around Skippers Island. City Code Enforcement, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and Marine Patrol will hold boats 350 feet from the island. The firework show will not begin unless all boats are within a safe distance from Skippers Island and the on-site Fire Chief announces “All Clear”.

PARK & BEACH HOURS

Park and beach hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 4 only. There are no reservations this year. All parks are first come, first served.

Please note, that any personal items left at parks or beaches before/after park hours will be removed. Please call the Canyon Lake POA at 951.244.6841 to inquire about lost items.

POOL HOURS

On July 4, open swim hours at the pool are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The pool will close promptly at 8:00 p.m. for the fireworks show. No one will be allowed in the pool deck area.

Although the pool will be closed, Sunset Beach and the walkway around the pool are great places to watch the fireworks. DJ Mike Shroyer will be playing music from the pool patio starting at 8 p.m. and leading up to the fireworks show.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

Residents are reminded the prime member is responsible for the actions of his or her family, guests, and lessees, including any citations. Prime members are responsible to know the Canyon Lake POA’s Rules & Regulations and are asked to be respectful of those in authority who are trying to enforce those rules and safety for everyone.

The Canyon Lake POA and City of Canyon Lake ask that everyone cooperate with those in authority to help ensure a safe holiday. The personal safety and enjoyment of all residents and guests is top priority, and strict enforcement of the law will be applied throughout the weekend.