2011 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.

Corte Madera and Larkspur

• The Corte Madera-Larkspur festivities start off with a pancake breakfast—with pancakes, sausages, fruit, and beverages—at Larkspur's American Legion Twin Cities Post 313 from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the corner of Ward Street and Magnolia Avenue. The cost is $7 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.
• Don’t miss this year’s 46th Annual Corte Madera-Larkspur Chambers of Commerce 4th of July Parade! One of the biggest Fourth 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 leaves downtown Larkspur, moves down Magnolia Avenue into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais Avenue to the Corte Madera Town Center. Free. 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 104th 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 for adults; $5 for children under 10. Call (415) 662-2219 or go to their website.

Novato

• The 58th 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. For more info, visit their website.
• Run off your breakfast at Novato's 4th 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. More info and registration here.
• Novato’s 19th 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 theme is "Novato, Into the Future". Every year Novato hosts fifteen to twenty thousand 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. For more information, go to 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 will begin at 11 am. The picnic features music by the Goat Island Griddlepoppers, and hot dogs, Polish dogs, and beverages will be available for sale. Children's games and races include relays, three-legged and wheelbarrow races, water sports, and watermelon eating. 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 $13 to $15, and includes free carnival rides, exhibits, and music. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm every night from June 30–July 4. Info: (415) 499-6400, 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 with food and beverages for sale by local organizations and the City of Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department, entertainment by Paul Robinson and Friends and Curtis Lawson, and gaemes for the whole family.
• A fireworks show takes place at Gabrielson Park from 6–9:30 pm. Enjoy live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display over San Francisco Bay. More information: www.ci.sausalito.ca.us

Sleepy Hollow

• The morning starts at 10 am with a fun run for all ages, with by an old-fashioned local parade at 11 am beginning at the intersection of Butterfield and Deer Hollow Roads. A BBQ lunch hosted by the Sleepy Hollow Sea Lions swim team follows. Happy Hour begins at 5 pm with oysters followed by dinner. More info: www.shha.org
  

Tiburon

• The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary's Fourth of July Ice Cream Social will be on Monday, July 4 from 6-10 pm. Enjoy a family-friendly evening and watch the fireworks over Sausalito. Gate opens at 6 p.m. Bring your picnic! Refreshments will be served at 7 pm. Fireworks start at 9:15 pm. Please bring a blanket, reusable cups, glasses, bowls, spoons and napkins so we can make this a trash-free event. Ticket price includes Three Twins organic ice cream, popcorn, wine, beer, and lemonade. Cost: $25 per adult, $15 per child. If you have any questions, give us a call at (415) 388-2524. Location: 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon. For more info or to register, visit their website.
• 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 20 years. The cruise begins boarding at 7:30 pm and departs  at 8 pm from the Tiburon ferry dock off Main Street, and returns after the show at approximately 10:30 pm. Tickets are $60 for adults and $30 for children ages 6–12, and $10 for small children ages 3–5. Bring your own picnic dinner; hot 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 visit their website.

Woodacre

• Start the 4th of July off with the Woodacre firefighters' pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 am at the Woodacre Fire Station, 33 Castle Rock Road. Breakfast is $10 for adults; $7 for children under 8.
• Bring the family to Woodacre's Independence Day parade on July 4th. The parade begins at noon in downtown Woodacre, with festivities continuing until 4 pm.
  

Elsewhere in the Bay Area

• 4th of July with a Fireworks Spectacular with the San Francisco Symphony, 8 pm, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View. Celebrate the Fourth of July with the San Francisco Symphony at this annual concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre. The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks show, set to stirring patriotic songs and marches. More information: 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, 8:15, 8:30 and 8:45 pm from Pier 41. Advance tickets $59 adults, $49 children 5–11; day-of-event $65 adults, $55 children. They also offer a family pack with two adult and two child tickets for $185. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure time. More information 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 all day at the Berkeley Marina. Info: (510) 548-3553 or www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july
• Napa: 4th of July Celebration at dusk at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park. Info: (707) 257-9529
• Petaluma: July 4th fireworks at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds at 175 Fairgrounds Drive. Free. Party gates open at 4 pm for food, games, music and fun.; fireworks begin at dusk (9:20 pm). Info: (707) 778-4380 or  www.cityofpetaluma.net
• 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 4 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 two-day 4th of July celebration with fireworks on Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4, 10 am–10 pm. Info and admission prices: www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom

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

• Bodega Bay: Fireworks over the Bay at 9:30 pm, Saturday, July 2 at Westside Park, 2400 Westshore Road. Info: (707) 875-3866 or www.bodegabay.com
• Sebastopol: Fireworks take place at Analy High Sunday, July 3rd and start at dusk. Enjoy live music, food and many other activities; $8 general, $4 children 6–11, under 6 free.