Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
July 2025
Fourth Force
How Jeff Dominguez made parade a reality
Fourth of July was never just another holiday for Jeff Dominguez. It was a time for community spirit and nostalgia, a day that reminded him of his youth in the Delta town of Clarksburg.
Raised by his grandparents, Dominguez attended Clarksburg Elementary and picked pears in summer. His Delta High School football team, with 27 farm boys, went undefeated two years in a row. Four players ended up in the NFL.
“To this day, we remain close friends. All of us are tied together by the river and agriculture,” Dominguez says.
His most enduring childhood memories are July Fourth parades organized by the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department.
Kids decorated bicycles, skateboards and go-carts. Ranchers dressed up their tractors, combines and hot rods. Boy Scout Troop 83 and the Delta High marching band were annual participants.
An old firetruck led the parade, where riders tossed candy into the crowd. After the parade, firefighters handed out popsicles.
When he moved to Pocket, Dominguez hoped his new neighborhood would embrace a similar July Fourth celebration. He shared his dreams with then-city Councilmember Robbie Waters. Plans took shape in 1997 and expanded into a carnival and fireworks show along with the parade.
Big ambitions cost money. Crab feeds, barbecues, spaghetti dinners, T-shirt sales and business sponsorships produced funds and pulled the community together. Fundraising was so successful leftover money supported a December Holiday Basket program. More than 50 families received food and gifts.
Dominguez recruited neighbors and old Delta friends to organize logistics. The first parade included about 200 people with one decorated vehicle. A carnival with games, music and food was set up at Garcia Bend Park. Last year’s parade attracted almost 1,000 participants and 100 vehicles.
Starting in 1998, fireworks displays exploded above Garcia Bend Park. But after five years, the aerial shows ended due to traffic problems and disorderly attendees.
As this July Fourth arrives, Dominguez fights cancer and undergoes kidney dialysis. “I’m grateful for my medical team and my wife Joy. With each passing day, I don’t lose hope. I fight to have more days,” he says.
The 2025 Pocket July Fourth Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Windbridge and South Land Park drives. The route runs south on Windbridge, turns right onto Pocket Road and ends at Garcia Bend.
JAZZ CONCERTS
City Councilmember Rick Jennings hosts free “Jazz in July” concerts at area parks. Shows take place Friday evenings from 6–8 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and pack a picnic dinner.
The lineup: Jeff Minnieweather Quartet at Land Park Panhandle on July 11, Vivian Lee at Garcia Bend on July 18 and Kerrie McCoy at Belle Cooledge Park on July 25.
EXPLORE MUSIC
Enjoy “Explore Music” performances at Robbie Waters Library. This month features the Grant High School Drum Line on July 12 and string ensemble of the Sacramento Youth Symphony on July 26. Saturday performances are free and start at 3 p.m.
MUSIC ON THE LAWN
The “Hey Monkey” band performs at Elks Lodge No. 6 on Friday, July 11, from 5–9 p.m. The classic rock band plays tunes from the 1970s to 1990s.
TAI CHI CLASSES
Tai chi is a low-impact, gentle martial art. Benefits include enhanced flexibility, balance and strength. Starting Tuesday, July 8, a six-week program of tai chi for beginners comes to Robbie Waters Library. Classes run 10:30–11:30 a.m. Register at www.saclibrary.org.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
