Inland Empire Waterparks

Summer heat is upon us and, while splashing in a pool or running through a sprinkler can be fun, it’s nice to take a day and really immerse yourself in the joy of cooling off.  There are water parks across the Inland Empire that are private or government owned, allowing for every way you can imagine to cool off, from sliding down a waterslide, catching a wave in a wave pool or being splashed with 100 gallons of water at a play area.

Here are some water park and regional park options for cooling off this summer in the Inland Empire. Rent a cabana or bring a beach blanket and go for a wet n’ wild time!

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Water Parks

Castle Park’s Buccaneer Cove has a five-level structure of wet fun, including several slides, spray fountains and a splash bucket. There are several ticket options available, from just Buccaneer Cove entry at $13 to also including mini golf and the theme park rides at Castle Park in Riverside. Season passes are available, pay to park.

See the complete list here.

Fourth of July Celebrations in Inland Empire

The Fourth of July is the perfect time to get together with family to bond and celebrate our nations freedom and federal holiday, Independence Day.   The Fourth of July is also the most popular day for grilling across the country with Memorial Day in second place.  According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, more than 14,000 firework displays will brighten  the skies of the country on the Fourth of July.

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Our perfect Fourth of July event kicks off with the parade and local Fourth of July festivities.  If you are planning a similar day, we recommend that you head out to the fourth of July fireworks destination immediately following your local parade to allow enough time to find the perfect spot and celebrate with family prior to the fireworks.  However, make sure to prepare food, water and lots of sweaters as the day will get cooler towards the evening.

Here is a list of our favorite places to check out the fireworks and have a safe & great time.

Big Bear  –   Big Bear Lake’s Fireworks Spectacular will explode at 7,000′ reflecting its shower of brilliance over Big Bear Lake on Friday, July 4th.  Big Bear Lake Fourth of July celebrations has abundance of events, recreation and activities.

Canyon Lake –  Skipper’s Island. Fireworks at 9pm.

Chino – Join the City of Chino for a fun-filled fourth of July Spectacular in Chino with family and friends.  This year’s festivities will kick off at 10am with a parade.   Carnival rides, games, food, music, and fun activities for the whole family start at 3pm.  Help honor Chino’s Service men and women at 7:00 p.m.  Enjoy a live patriotic performance by the band “The Answer” at 5:30 p. and 7:30 pm; a spectacular fireworks show will signal the end of the evening at 9:00 pm

Claremont –  The City of Claremont’s Fourth of July Celebration culminates with an fireworks show and a live concert featuring Classic Rock band – The Answer!  The City of Claremont’s fireworks show has developed over the years and has become one of the biggest and best shows in all of Los Angeles County! The 20+ minute show is fully synchronized to music and electronically fired.  The Concert is presented by the DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont.  Check link for ticket details.

Fontana – After a couple years off, the fourth of July festivities are back at Fontana High school.   The main stage entertainment starts at 5pm.  Enjoy face painting, stilt walkers and dance the night away with your family.  Check link for ticket details.

Lake Arrowhead – Lake Arrowhead Lake 9pm.

Lake Elsinore – Patriotic Parade of Lights.  Fireworks after the parade.

Menifee – There are no Fourth of July festivities planned.  Check the local events for Riverside or Temecula.

Moreno Valley  – The parade starts at 10:30am-12pm.  Family Fest kicks off at 2pm at Morrison Park.

Murrieta – There are no Fourth of July events planned.  Check the local events for Temecula.

Perris – The City of Perris will host their Fourth of July festivities at the Auto Speedway in Perris.  The event is free to residents.  Event starts at 3pm.  Fireworks start at 9pm.

Redlands – The City of Redlands will celebrate the Fourth of July festivities at Sylvan Park.  Parade starts at 10:30.  The University of Redlands will host the annual fireworks extravaganza with a live show and entertainment. Fireworks start at 9pm.

Riverside –  The City of Riverside Mayor will kick off their festivities with a Fourth of July Bike parade around the city with the IE Bike Club.  The Fourth of July aerial fireworks show will be celebrated at La Sierra Park Fireworks and Mt Rubidoux Fireworks.

Temecula – The Temecula City Fireworks spectacular. The park opens at 9am and Fourth of July Festivities start at 2pm.  Fireworks start at 9pm sharp.  Music broadcasted on KATY 101.3.  There will be a lot of Food Vendors and Kids Fun Zone.  Handicap parking is limited and first come, first serve.  Arrive early to secure a parking spot.

Victorville – San Bernardino Fairgrounds.  Fireworks start at 9pm.

Yucca Valley – Yucca Valley Sports Park, Yucca Valley. Fireworks start at 9pm.

 

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Pechanga Pow Wow

The Pechanga Pow Wow is scheduled for Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13.   If you have never been to a pow wor if is definitely an event to witness first hand. For additional details visit Pechanga 19th Annual Pow Wow.

 

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Inland Moms attended our first Pow Wow in Temecula last year.  Here are some photos from last years event.  It’s definitely an event to witness first hand.

Inland SoCal Moms | Encouragement for Moms – Super Mom

I stared at the bag of potatoes, wishing they were self-peeling. Only three hours before on the way home from our work meeting my best friend complained about the mess she was destined to return home to. I thought about what a wonderful homecoming I was bound to have since my husband was off from work today. Somehow she walked into a clean house, dinner cooking, and a dozen roses. I returned home to chaos, disagreements, and pork chops and potatoes that wouldn’t cook themselves.

Shape of the heart

The house phone rang. I hoped it was my husband, apologizing again for the mistake he made and wanting to proclaim his love to me. Instead, it was my mother-in-law. I sighed. They’d be in town tomorrow. What was so urgent that she needed to call in the middle of my already horrible day?

“We’re in town!” my mother-in-law chimed.

“A day early?!” The moment the words left my mouth I realized how horrible they sounded.

“Are we?” She laughed. “Oh well. We’re here.”

“Great.” I plastered a smile on my face to attempt to feel happy. “You can come over for dinner. How about 6?”

I glanced at the three pork chops defrosting. Hopefully they had a big lunch and weren’t hungry.

I hung up and took a quick inventory of the house. I had wisely told the children they could put off their chores until tomorrow morning so everything would be clean when Grandma and Grandpa arrive, but, of course, the children were out with their father and not due home for close to an hour.

I became a whirlwind of activity. In the midst of peeling potatoes, I called my husband.

“Your parents are here.”

“A day early?”

I ran down the groceries I needed him to get. “And see if they have a Macy’s gift card. You still need to get your mom a present.”

With my music blaring, I kicked myself into Superwoman mode. In one hour I vacuumed, swept, decluttered the dining room and kitchen tables, washed all the dishes in the sink, cleaned the kitchen counters, and had the pork chops and potatoes cooking.

“Wow,” my husband exclaimed when he walked in. “Impressive.”

Fifteen minutes later when the in-laws arrived, the children had the table beautifully set and dinner was on it.

“You feel hot!” my mother-in-law said when I hugged her. “Are you sick?”

“Just been running around all day.” I smiled.

But, of course, the work wasn’t done. Once everyone sat down, the serving began. I was up and down to fetch salt and pepper, more napkins, and butter. As the other adults enjoyed their meals, I helped the kids serve themselves. I wanted to relax and enjoy the conversation after I finished eating, but just as potatoes don’t peel themselves, neither do dishes wash themselves. It’s true – a mother’s work is never done.

“You owe me.” I plopped down beside my husband on the couch after his parents had left.

“I do. The house looks amazing. Dinner was great. Thank you.”

I sighed, leaning against him. I had been so mad at him earlier, but then I didn’t have time to remain angry. It was definitely for the best.

On days that I feel more like a maid than a mother, a disciplinarian instead of a homeschool mom, and laundry service rather than a devoted wife, I need to remember that all of these undesirable tasks are my way of showing love to my family. Sometimes my reward is flowers and “thank you”, but other times the reward comes in their laughter and smiles. The reward comes when my kids help one another rather than lash out at each other. It comes in knowing that my labor, though overwhelming at times, is making life better for them. After an evening of serving my joy came from the joy in my kids’ hearts and conversations with Grandma and Grandpa. Sometimes the biggest blessing comes in being the blessing.
Take time to look past the dishes and remember the great dinner conversations. As you scrub the kitchen floor yet again to remove the mud, jelly, or who-knows-what-that-is from the tile, be grateful for the little hands and feet that left the mess. Your work for them is your gift of love, even if they don’t realize it. That’s what being a mom is all about.