Have thoughts about what you’d like to see during this year’s Fourth of July celebration?

Then you’re just the type of person the Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association wants to meet.

On Wednesday, the TDPOA is inviting the public to attend a 6 p.m. meeting in the Chamber of Commerce conference room (115 S. Golden State Blvd.) to offer input on the city’s Fourth of July festivities.

“We want to get the public involved and get their feedback on past events,” said Travis Regalo, executive director of the TDPOA. “And we want to talk to them about things they’d like to see in this year’s celebration, and go over ways people can volunteer their time and to help out.”

One of the first things Regalo hopes to address is the process of selecting a parade grand marshal.

“Previously, we haven’t had an organized method,” said Regalo. “We want to create a structure for doing that and that’s where the community can help out.”

The parade will be held on June 27 with a drone show — replacing a traditional fireworks display — tentatively planned for later that evening.

“We’re looking to do a drone show again for the city of Turlock, and we’re waiting to hear back from the (San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District) on whether we’ve been approved for a grant,” said Regalo. “That’s one of the things Mayor (Amy) Bublak hoped we could work toward, and that’s the direction we’re looking.”

The car show, long a staple of the Fourth of July festivities, would be held on June 28. 

“We’re looking for ideas on the car show,” said Regalo. “We’re hoping to get some local military groups involved, like the VFW and the American Legion. We’re reaching out to any active military, or reserves or veterans to try to get them involved.”

Nonprofits and service clubs are also invited to offer input to help grow an event that Regalo envisions Turlock’s festivities being the kickoff to a weeklong series of events.

“We want to explain to the community why we’re celebrating a little earlier,” said Regalo. “We’re going to be partnering with other events in our region — Modesto, Hilmar, Livingston and Atwater — to make it kind of a week of celebration, as opposed to just the day.”

Each city has a different nonprofit entity that organizes the Independence Day celebrations.

“We’re working with those entities, and looking for any other entities to come aboard,” said Regalo. “The plan is to fill up that entire week until the Fourth of July and get the entire county involved.”