Politics makes way for patriotism at annual Fourth of July celebration in Bidwell Park

CHICO, Calif. — Politics took a backseat Wednesday at the annual Fourth of July celebration in Bidwell Park.

The Chico Community Band belted out patriotic tunes while an estimated 1,000 people paid $5 per ticket for a pancake breakfast.

Earlier in the morning there was a 5K race with most everyone decked out in red, white and blue.

Most everyone was happy that politics, which has become heated over the last few years, was nowhere to be found.

"Today is a day that even I would take off from politics," said Bob Mulholland, a Democratic strategist from Chico.

Another runner joked that the only debate concerned "who had a better run time."

Pancakes in the Park is put on by the Chico Running Club, the Chico Noon Exchange and the Butte County Sheriff's Office which made the breakfast with the help of Captain Bob's Pancake Wagon.