2013 Marin 4th of July Parades, Fireworks and More…

Celebrate Independence Day the Marin County way! Communities across the Marin observe the 4th of July in their own unique ways. Here’s what’s going on in your community on the 4th of July. We will be updating the list as we learn of new events, so please check back.

You can also add your local Independence Day event to our Family Events Calendar.

Bolinas

• The annual Bolinas parade starts downtown at 11 am at 40 Wharf Road at and ends at Brighton Avenue. Festivities also include the annual Bolinas–Stinson Beach tug-of-war.

Corte Madera and Larkspur

• The Corte Madera-Larkspur festivities start off with at the 61st Annual Independence Day Pancake Breakfast—with pancakes, sausages, fruit, OJ and milk—at Larkspur's American Legion Twin Cities Post 313 at 500 Magnolia Avenue (corner of Ward) Larkspur. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, with gin fizzes for $3 (from the Legion's famous 1928 recipe); proceeds benefit local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Little League. There will be a flag raising ceremony at 8 am. Info: call (415) 924-6283 or  www.americanlegion313.org
• Don’t miss this year’s 48th Annual Corte Madera-Larkspur Chambers of Commerce 4th of July Parade! One of the biggest 4th of July events in Marin, the parade boasts the elaborate floats, precision drill teams, classic cars, and the Corte Madera Town Band. Parade starts at 10:30 am. Accompanying festivities at Corte Madera's Town Park all day include arts and crafts, food and drink, carnival games, children's activities, bounce houses, and stage shows.  The parade will leave Redwood High School at 10:30 am and wind through downtown Larkspur from Magnolia Street and into Corte Madera by way of Tamalpais Street until it reaches Corte Madera Town Center. The streets will close at 10 am. Info: (415) 924-0441 or www.cortemadera.org.

Inverness

• The Inverness 4th of July Party takes place from 9 am–1 pm and features its 106th annual foot races for the whole family, from toddlers to adults. Festivities happen on Inverness Way near the fire station.
  

Marinwood

• Join the Marinwood firefighters on the 4th of July for pancakes from 8:30–11:30 am at the Marinwood Community Center, 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. Adults $7, children under 11 $5, and seniors (over 65) $5. For more info call (415) 479-0122 or visit www.marinwood.org.

Nicasio

• Rancho Nicasio Restaurant & Bar will hold its annual 4th of July Weekend BBQ on the Lawn, featuring Zydeco Flames, at 4 pm at the town square. The cost is $15 per person. Children under 3 are free. Call (415) 662-2219 or www.ranchonicasio.com

Novato

• The 60th annual Buckaroo Breakfast will be part of 4th of July festivities in Novato. Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 am at the Redwood Credit Union parking lot at 1010 Grant Avenue in downtown Novato. Come enjoy eggs, pancakes, sausage, orange juice, and coffee. Hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Novato, all proceeds benefit a Novato community mission project. There is a suggested donation of $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Info: www.novatoparade.com
• Run off your breakfast at Novato's 6th annual 4th of July Races, starting at 8 am. Tamalpa presents a "Firecracker 4" four-mile road race and a "Mayor's Mile" one-mile family walk/jog in downtown Novato before the parade. Info and registration: www.novatoparade.com
• Novato’s 20th Annual Fourth of July Parade is one of the largest in the Bay Area and begins at 10 am in downtown Novato at the corner of Grant and Railroad Avenues. This year’s parade honors the heart of our community: “Novato’s Unsung Heroes”! Every year Novato hosts 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and over 100 parade entries ranging from classic cars and vintage military vehicles to Irish bagpipers and a Chinese drum and bell corps. Along the parade route, you will also find food and refreshment booths and souvenir t-shirts. Info: www.novatoparade.com.

Ross

• The town of Ross celebrates the 4th of July at its annual parade and picnic on the Ross Common. The parade begins at 11 am followed by lunch and games. The Woodlands food tent will be selling hot dogs, sausages, sandwiches, and salads. More info: www.townofross.org

San Rafael—Marin County Fair

• The Marin County Fair (at Marin County Fairgrounds, Civic Center Drive in San Rafael) offers up what is pretty much Marin County's official fireworks display. Fair admission is $14 to $16, and includes free carnival rides, exhibits, and music. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm every night from July 3-7. Info: (415) 499-6400 or www.marinfair.org.

Sausalito

• Sausalito’s one-of-a-kind 4th of July parade starts at Second and Main Streets at 10 am, and moves along Bridgeway and into Dunphy Park at noon. A picnic in Dunphy park follows the parade from noon–5 pm. Live music starts at noon and lasts all day. Food, dancing, family games, tug-of-war and famous traditional egg toss help make this an exciting event for the whole family. Come and enjoy a good old-fashioned 4th of July celebration!
• Sausalito's Fireworks Extravaganza takes place at Gabrielson Park from 6:30–9:30 pm. Enjoy live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display off Spinnaker Point. Fireworks begin at 9:20 pm. This year, the display is set to music—tune in to 1610 AM or Comcast Cable channel 30 during the show. Info: www.ci.sausalito.ca.us

Tiburon

• Bring the family to the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary’s 8th annual July 4th Ice Cream Social. Watch the fireworks over Sausalito and enjoy a family-friendly evening. Bring your picnic and blanket. Ticket price includes ice cream, popcorn, wine, beer, and lemonade, and supports the centers conservation and education programming. Cost: $25 per adult, $15 per child. Gate opens Thursday, July 4, at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served at 7 pm. Fireworks start at 9:20 pm. Info: richardsonbay.audubon.org.
• One of the best ways to see the San Francisco fireworks display is from the Bay! The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry offers its annual 4th of July fireworks cruise—a tradition for over 23 years. The cruise begins boarding at 8 pm and departs  at 8:30 pm from the Tiburon ferry dock off Main Street, and returns after the show at approximately 10:30 pm. Tickets are $65 for adults and $45 for children ages 5–12, and free for children under 5. Bring your own picnic dinner; beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase on board. Reservations are required and tickets to sell out. More info and reservations: (415) 435-2131 or www.angelislandferry.com.
• Watch the fireworks from Angel Island's Battery Ledyard. Enjoy live music, dancing, food, beer, and wine at the Angel Island Cafe and Cantina from 6 to 7:30 pm. Shuttle service from the Angel Island Cafe begins at 7:30 pm; return shuttles begin at after the fireworks, around 9:50 pm. Tickets include ferry fare to and from the island and shuttle service. Adults $24, children 5–11 $16.50, small children under 5 free. Ferry departs Tiburon for Angel Island at 5 pm and leaves the island immediately after the fireworks show. Info: www.angelisland.com.

Woodacre

• Start the 4th of July off with the Woodacre firefighters' pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 am at the Woodacre Fire Station, 33 Castle Rock Road. Breakfast is $10 for adults; $7 for children under 8. Info: call (415) 499-6717.
  
• Bring the family to San Geronimo Valley's Independence Day parade and celebration on July 4th. The parade begins at noon at the Woodacre Improvement Club at 1 Garden Way in downtown Woodacre and follows Railroad Avenue to Dickson Ranch (at 182 San Geronimo Valley Drive), with festivities continuing until 4 pm. Enjoy a flea market, games, BBQ, and live music. Event is free. Info: (415) 456-0147.
  

Elsewhere in the Bay Area

• Celebrate the 4th of July with a fireworks spectacular, the San Francisco Symphony, and the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. The evening begins at 8 pm and concludes with a spectacular fireworks show set to stirring patriotic songs and marches. Info: www.sfsymphony.org
• Take a 4th of July Fireworks Cruise with the Blue and Gold Fleet and see the San Francisco fireworks display from the Bay! Cruises depart at 8 pm from Pier 41. Advance tickets $70 adults, $50 children 5–11. They also offer a family pack with two adult and two child tickets for $198. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure time. More info and tickets: www.blueandgoldfleet.com

Bay Area Independence Day Fireworks Displays

If you and your family finds itself elsewhere in the Bay Area this 4th of July, here are a few fireworks displays farther afield:

• Berkeley: 4th of July fireworks at 9:30 pm off the end of the Berkeley Pier. Family activities from noon to 9 pm at the Berkeley Marina, including the Kids' Adventure Playgound, live entertainment, and food vendors. Info: (510) 548-3553 or www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july
• Petaluma: The PTown4th celebration at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds starts at 3 pm with family games, live music, food vendors, with fireworks taking place sometime after 9 pm. Music and prizes by Froggy 92.9 FM. Info: www.froggy929.com
• San Francisco: 4th of July Waterfront Festival; Pier 39. Free. Live music and family entertainment from noon–9:30 pm. Fireworks at 9:30 pm. Info: www.pier39.com
• Santa Rosa: Sonoma County's Red, White, and Boom takes place at Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds open at 3:30 pm. The fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. Info: santarosaredwhiteandboom.com
• Sonoma: 4th of July Fireworks Display. Vallejo's Field, West Spain Street. Free. Fireworks at dusk. Info: (707) 938-4626.
• Vallejo: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom hosts a full day of fun at the park from 10:30 am to 10 pm with the day culminating in a fantastic fireworks show. Info: www.visitvallejo.com

Some communities are celebrating Independence Day a little early or a little late this year:

• Sebastopol: Fireworks take place at Analy HighWednesday, July 3. Gates open at 5:30 pm. Enjoy live music, food and many other activities; $8 general, $4 children 6–11, under 6 free. Info: www.sebastopolkiwanis.org
• Bodega Bay: Fireworks over the Bay at 9:30 pm, Friday, July 5 at Westside Park, 2400 Westshore Road. Info: (707) 875-3866 or www.bodegabay.com