July 4 event provides fun, patriotic celebration; $20,000 benefit to Fallbrook Beautification Alliance

Members of the North County Fire Explorers paddle up to the finish of a heat in the Rubber Raft Regatta on the Grand Tradition lake during Fallbrook's annual Fourth of July celebration. The Explorer crew placed first in the regatta that featured nine groups of paddlers competing for 50 percent of the prize money. Money from the entry fees was split between the winners and the charity partner, the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance. Ken Seals photos

North County Fire Explorers hold the flags of the United States military service branches during the opening ceremony of the Fourth of July celebration at the Grand Tradition on July 4. A Marine Corps color guard hold the U.S. and Marine Corps flags in the background.

John Culea serves as master of ceremonies and announcer at the annual Fallbrook Fourth of July celebration at the Grand Tradition on July 4.

Don McDougal, Grand Tradition CEO, left, and Jerri Patchett, Fallbrook Beautification Alliance president, stand with a check from the Grand Tradition to the alliance representing a $20,000 donation from the proceeds of the Fourth of July celebration.

Miss Fallbrook and her court posed for photos with their fans at the annual Fallbrook Fourth of July celebration at the Grand Tradition on July 4, from left, in front of the camera, Sara Hoxie; Emily Person, Miss Fallbrook Second Princess; Flynn Hill; Halee Olsen, Miss Fallbrook First Princess; Ashley Jackson; and Simone Stubbs, Miss Fallbrook.

The Grand Tradition gazebo and music stage provide a colorful setting for the Baytown Band and many dancers enjoying the music at the annual Fourth of July celebration in Fallbrook.

Children wave light sticks and the crowd enjoys dancing to the music of the Baytown Band at the Fourth of July Celebration held at the Grand Tradition in Fallbrook.

The fireworks finale was a colorful and spectacular ending to the annual Fallbrook Fourth of July Celebration held at the Grand Tradition.

Former media personality John Culea, center, announcer and master of ceremonies at the Fourth of July celebration in Fallbrook, shows off the cash prize won by North County Fire Explorers for taking number one in the Rubber Raft Regatta; from left are, Billy Deile, Wade Leehey, NC Fire Chief Bill Metcalf, Culea, Braden Hucks, Trysten McElroy, and Zach Cain.