Lodi, California, celebrated July 4 the same way it always does: enjoying food, music and community capped off with a fireworks show over Lake Lodi. But this year, residents had an extra reason to party, and not just because the day also marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In June, the Central Valley town of 65,000 residents was named America’s Favorite Small Town of 2026 as a result of a nationwide competition conducted by Parade and Steller, the platform that connects travel videos to trip planning and booking. Lodi, an under-the-radar star in California’s wine country and the most diverse winegrowing region in the U.S., prevailed in the competition against more than 300 towns
The morning of July 4, Lodi residents kicked off the day with the town’s annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast. At 4 p.m., thousands of residents and visitors gathered at Lodi Lake for the evening festivities, including live music, food trucks, Kids Zone activities, swimming and kayaking, and a fireworks finale over the lake.
As part of this celebration, Parade & Steller hosted the America’s Favorite Small Town Celebration Zone, where attendees posed for pictures before a vintage postcard-inspired backdrop and received complimentary commemorative T-shirts, hats, stickers, and buttons featuring the official winner badge, along with an assortment of patriotic swag. The activation was one of the most popular attractions of the evening, with long lines and enthusiastic community participation.
“The response from our community has been incredible,” says Wes Rhea of Visit Lodi. “People were genuinely excited to celebrate this recognition together, and seeing families proudly wearing the commemorative shirts and taking photos throughout the evening reinforced that this honor belongs to the entire community. It was the perfect way to celebrate both our country and Lodi.”…