4th of July COVID-Style in Monterey Bay
It’s time for another year to celebrate our independence. July 4th is one of the most popular holidays in American society, and even though we might have to celebrate a bit… differently this year, that’s not going to stop us from getting our party on.
If you’re living in or visiting the Monterey Bay, we’ve compiled a list of a few (socially distant) activities you can look into for your celebration. Keep in mind, we are living in the world of COVID, and at the drop of a dime, things can change, or be canceled, or perhaps even opened up even further, although that last idea is more wishful thinking these days. Regardless, with safety matters at play, we trust the following events will survive through the weekend:
Enjoy a Drive-In Movie
Say what you will about old-school drive-in movies where you sit in your car and tune into a radio station for the audio, but we are all for the return of this type of movie-viewing! On July 3rd and 4th, Hyundai and Chevrolet in Seaside have put together a special event to enjoy classic fair food and movies! You can check out the full list of movie showings here, but for Independence Day weekend, we’ve got Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark on Friday, followed by Angry Birds 2 and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on Saturday. There are two showings for each movie, and following the final showing of the Last Crusade sees a streamed-in fireworks show.
Even better? You can pre-order a concessions package with popcorn, water, cotton candy, Red Vines, and Junior Mints for $20. You can also pre-order a bottle of Josh Cellars chardonnay or pinot noir with four glasses. Sounds good to us! You can order your tickets here, and just keep in mind that there’s a limit to 75 cars per showing. If this is something you’d like to do, we recommend purchasing the tickets while you still can!
Drive and Dine at the Same Time
Even if you have to stay six feet away from your friends, you can still have a great time hanging out in the comfort of your own car. This year, the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Drive and Dine to celebrate the 4th of July and showcase local restaurants and eateries. There will also be a few live musicians filling the streets up with music, as well as a shirt giveaway from participating restaurants. Feel free to order your food for “dine in” via your car, and take it to go and enjoy it from your home.
The event itself is free, so if you need nothing more than just a good excuse to get out of the house and drive around a little, this is the option for you! Plus, some of our favorite Pacific Grove restaurants — like Wild Fish, Crema, and Toasties — are all part of the participants list. We’ve missed all of the businesses that have had their doors closed during quarantine, and we’re more than ready to start getting back into supporting them any way we can!
Monterey County Pops! Celebrates Freedom
Every year, the orchestra that make up Monterey County Pops! gathers together for a live performance to celebrate our Independence Day. This year, COVID isn’t going to stop the performance — but it is going to limit it to your television screen. The “POPS! Celebrates Freedom” concert will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. on Comcast Channel 24, or live streamed on the Pops! website.
The orchestra showcases the local talent of 38 members from a wide variety of different ages and backgrounds. This one-hour show includes classic patriotic favorites like You’re a Grand Old Flag, God Bless America, and the 1812 Overture. You can also get your feet moving with upbeat classics like Sabre Dance, Yankee Doodle Dandee, and Bohemian Rhapsody. If you’ve come from the Drive and Dine in Pacific Grove, this is a great segue between that and the Drive-In Movie you’ve got planned later tonight.
Also, Going Out to Eat is a Thing Again
Businesses are steadily opening, and we’re hoping that continues. As we stated, things change on an almost-daily basis, and after one round of quarantine and isolation, we’ve all learned that anything is possible. For now, however, we’re excited at the opportunities we have to be able to go out and enjoy a good meal with friends, regardless of the necessity of masks or social distancing. Sometimes sitting six feet away is better than being confined in your own house!
If you’re looking for a restaurant to enjoy a good, hearty, Independence Day breakfast or dinner, most of the restaurants are now open for business. There might be an operating hour change here or there, but since the 4th falls on a Saturday this year, we don’t expect there to be too much difficulty finding a place to eat. If you’re still leery about dine-in, take out and delivery are still always options, as well (like with the Drive and Dine). We’ll take any excuse we can get to support our local businesses and keep them thriving!
However, A Few Things to Remember…
We all want to get out and have a great time, but just a few things to keep in mind for this holiday celebration:
Please remain socially distant. Whether you’re going to a restaurant, taking advantage of a drive-in, or inviting a friend or two over for a beer, please remember that we’re still in the midst of a world-wide pandemic. It may seem like a distant memory, but please remember it is not yet. Have a great time, but keep your distance.
No fireworks. This isn’t necessarily anything “new” for Monterey, but it is just a friendly reminder.
Stay healthy. Social activity is vital for our health, but just stay safe, stay smart, and stay healthy. The grand majority of these events (outside of physically going to a restaurant) are designed to be enjoyed from your own “bubble,” so take advantage.
Have fun! We’re in trying times, but that’s no reason to keep ourselves from finding joy in even the littlest things.
