Wednesday Gazette: July 1, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! We did it! I asked for 44 new supporters before my birthday, and you got us there.
Asking people to pay for something they can read for free is a strange thing to do. But 49 of you said yes, this newsroom is worth a few dollars a month because you believe in Riverside.
That's a neighborly way of being and I'm glad to have you as one of mine. To all of our supporters, thank you.
Now, we're back to work. There's a city to cover.
– Justin
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COMMUNITY
Heritage House Marks America's 250th With Special July 5 Tours
The historic Victorian home hosts its final day of the season with period music, living history and free lemonade on the lawn.
Heritage House closes out its public season July 5 with immersive patriotic tours — then goes dark until fall.
Why it matters: It's your last chance to tour the 1891 Victorian before summer closure, with living history performers, period music, and free lemonade on the lawn.
What's happening: Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution will roam the property fully in character, interacting with visitors on special tours spotlighting the museum's collection.
- Period music plays both inside and outside, including an 1890s-era piano in the home's music room.
The backstory: Built in 1891–92 for citrus heiress Catherine Bettner, Heritage House dates to an era when Riverside was reportedly the wealthiest city per capita in the U.S.
What's next: July 5 tours run 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at 8193 Magnolia Ave. On July 24 at 8 p.m., the lawn hosts a free screening of Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) — the site's only summer event before fall reopening.
Read and share the complete story...
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ART & ENTERTAINMENT
July ArtsWalk Has Art, Music and Wonderful Weather
Two openings, a rooftop movie, live music and a hands-on sculpture project headline Thursday's ArtsWalk in Downtown.
Riverside's ArtsWalk returns Thursday, July 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., and this month it comes with something you rarely get in July: a comfortable evening. Forecasts put the night in the 70s, a real break from the usual summer heat. The lineup matches the weather. Two gallery openings, a hands-on sculpture project, live music, a free rooftop movie and one last ArtsWalk chance to catch one of the region's most talked about exhibitions.
Read and share the complete July ArtsWalk Guide...
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RAINCROSS RUNDOWN
Raincross Rundown: The Best of Riverside in July 2026
A rooftop screening of Bill & Ted, Cheech turning 80, and a World Cup final on the big screen — July in Riverside goes all in on America's 250th and still finds room for everything else.
July doesn't ease in. It arrives with fireworks already lit, a drone show lighting up Fairmount Park, and a city leaning all the way into America's 250th birthday. Heritage House goes red, white, and blue for the occasion. Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery turns into one of the best seats in town for a Founders' Day show. The Riverside Festival Orchestra plays patriotic standards under the stars at the National Cemetery. It's a month that knows exactly what it's celebrating.
But July isn't only about the holiday. There's a poetry mic at Café Oro with a chair waiting for you, a lotería night built for community, Shakespeare on the lawn at Fairmount Park, and a rooftop screening of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure for anyone who wants their movie night with a view. Cheech Marin turns 80, and the whole city's invited to the party. There's a World Cup final watched together over snow cones and a beer garden. The kids have their own summer running in the background — library lunches, storytimes, movies that start at dusk. Take a look below and find your version of the month.
Read and share the complete July Raincross Rundown...
What's Happening in Riverside
Today
- Riverside East Rotary Club at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern
- RCCD/UCR Residential Scholars Information Session at Riverside City College
- Transportation Board at Riverside City Hall
- Writing Skills at My Learning Studio ($57)
- Writing Skills- 8th+ at My Learning Studio ($42)
- Riverside Off-Road & Jeep Nights at D'Elia's Grinders
Tomorrow
- Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club Meeting at Zacatecas Café
- Board of Ethics at Riverside City Hall
- FREE ADMISSION - First Thursday of every month during Riverside ArtsWalk at Riverside Art Museum
- Rooftop Screening of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, with Ripperside Cinema Galore at Riverside Art Museum
- UCR ARTS Celebrates America 250 at UCR ARTS
Save the Date
- July 4: Fourth of July Water Fun and Fireworks at First United Methodist Church of Riverside (free- $5)
- July 4: Front Row Fireworks - Celebrating America 250at Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery (free- $10)
- July 5: Patriotic Tours at Riverside Heritage House
- July 11: The Stars and Pipes Forever at First United Methodist Church of Riverside
- July 13: River Camp with IE Kids Outdoors at Martha McLean Park ($235)
- July 20: Camp Riverside with IE Kids Outdoors at California State Citrus Heritage Park ($200)
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