Poway will show its patriotic spirit this Fourth of July with a new citywide decorating contest in addition to the traditional Fireworks America show.
The Red, White & Wow! decorating contest announced at the April 7 Poway City Council meeting will be held in conjunction with the Fourth of July holiday. Home and business decorations in the categories of business, best outdoor display and best window display can be shown for two weeks, from June 22 to July 5.
“Participants can decorate in fun, creative and patriotic ways,” said Sarah Becker, recreation area manager for the city, at the meeting.
The decorations should not be political, party affiliated or offensive, but they can be patriotic and red, white and blue, said Katie O’Reilly, recreation coordinator at Old Poway Park.
The contest is part of the city’s celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, she said.
Courtesy city of Poway
Charles Keith, second from right, portrayed Uncle Sam while greeting visitors to the city’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July event. (Courtesy city of Poway)
Participants can learn more about the contest guidelines on the Poway.org website and register online by June 15 at 5 p.m.
Everyone gets a say in choosing winners in the People’s Choice category, with online voting open between June 22 and July 2. A separate panel of judges including local veterans and military service organizations will select winners in the Judge’s Choice category.
The contest is open to Poway residents and businesses. Registered participants receive a yard sign encouraging their fans to vote. Decorations must be visible from a public sidewalk or street and displayed between June 22 and July 5.
“A digital map featuring photos and locations of all contest entries will be available on the city’s website, making it easy for residents to explore and support their favorite displays,” city officials said.
The decorating contest will coincide with a special Fourth of July celebration at Old Poway Park that will highlight the traditional Independence Day holiday and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Becker said.
Activities will include stations where park visitors can interact with characters such as Uncle Sam taking pictures, Benjamin Franklin signing the Declaration of Independence, Susan B. Anthony voting and Betsy Ross sewing a flag.
For the first time, a President George Washington character will arrive at the holiday event by train while the train’s whistle sounds off 13 times in honor of the 13 original U.S. colonies, Becker said. Washington will then lead the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before cutting a patriotic birthday cake and singing the Happy Birthday song, she said.
“Each hour, presidents will share stories from the era,” Becker said. “This event is about honoring our nation’s history and it is especially meaningful to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation.”
Winners of the home and business decorating contest will be announced during the old-fashioned Fourth of July party at Old Poway Park, Becker said.
“I love this idea of having a decorating contest around the city,” Mayor Steve Vaus said at the meeting. “This lives up to the spirit of the Fourth and the 250th anniversary of America.”
Courtesy city of Poway
Diana Newland with the Poway Historical and Memorial Society dressed as Betsy Ross at the Old Fashioned Fourth of July event. (Courtesy city of Poway)
In preparation for the event, council members voted unanimously for a three-year fireworks agreement with Fireworks America to provide annual July 4th fireworks.
The contract calls for spending $24,000 each year for each of the city’s two fireworks shows in north and south Poway. The contract totals $48,000 each year in 2026, 2027 and 2028, according to a staff report.
The current contract reflects a $1,200 increase per show over the 2025 price, according to the city.
The city began contracting with Fireworks America in 1995 for the annual pyrotechnic show known as the July 4th Fireworks, the staff report states.