The McHenry Mansion Docent Council has planned its Fourth of July activities. The public is invited to join in the Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4.

Self-guided walk-through tours of the beautiful historic Victorian McHenry Mansion will start at 8:30 a.m. prior to this year’s 145th annual parade in Modesto and will continue following the parade until 1 p.m. The Mansion, located on the parade route at 906 15th St., Modesto, welcomes the public to designate chairs and blankets along the street in front of the Mansion to watch the parade. Since 1874, the City of Modesto has celebrated the Fourth of July with a parade through downtown. The 2019 parade theme is “Celebrating Our Freedoms” and the McHenry Foundation will have pop-up booths selling coffee, donuts, hot dogs, cold drinks, water and ice cream during the parade. Local high school clubs support the Mansion and students receive service credits by walking the parade route selling cool drinks and ice cream.

The McHenry Visitor Center & Gift Store at 924 15th St., in downtown Modesto, will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is hosting a 40 percent discount on all Fourth of July merchandise. Visitors are welcome to browse the shop and watch a brief historic video depicting highlights of the McHenry family, early Modesto and the Mansion.

The Docent Council is pleased to continue working with the public and sharing the community events scheduled at the McHenry Mansion, Visitors Center and Gift Store.