2010 Marin 4th of July Parades, Fireworks and More…

Celebrate Independence Day the Marin way! Communities across the county observe the 4th of July in their own unique ways. Here’s what’s going on in Marin 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-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 to 11 am at the corner of Ward Street and Magnolia Avenue. The cost is $5 to $7, with gin fizzes for $3 (from the Legion's 1928 recipe) and proceeds benefit local Boy and Girl Scouts and Little League.
• Don’t miss this year’s 45th Annual Corte Madera-Larkspur Chambers of Commerce 4th of July Parade! Don't miss the elaborate floats, precision drill teams, classic cars and the Corte Madera Town Band. Parade starts at noon. Accompanying festivities at Corte Madera's Town Park 9 am to 5 pm include arts and crafts, food and drink, carnival games, children's activities, bounce houses, and stage shows. The parade leaves Redwood High School in Larkspur at noon, moves down Magnolia into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais Avenue to the Town Center. Free. Info: (415) 924-0441 or www.cortemadera.org.

Inverness

• The Inverness Fourth of July Party takes place from 9 am–1 pm and features its 103rd annual foot races for the whole family, from toddlers to adults. Festivities happen on Inverness Way near the fire station.

Marinwood Firefighter's Association's 50th Annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast

• Join the Marinwood Firefighters for pancakes from 8:30–11:30 am at the Marinwood Community Center at 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 3 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 18th Annual 4th of July Parade, Breakfast, and Races

• The 57th annual Buckaroo Breakfast will be part of 4th of July festivities in Novato served from 8:00 to 11 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. Proceeds will be donated to the Marin Community mission project. For more info, call (415) 897-6152.
• Novato’s 18th Annual 4th of July Parade begins at 11 am in downtown Novato, at the corner of Grant and Railroad Avenues. This year's theme is "Novato 50 Years Young". Every year Novato hosts fifteen to twenty thousand spectators and over 100 parade entries ranging from classic cars and vehicles from a military museum 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 Picnic

• The town of Ross celebrates the 4th of July at its annual Ross Commons parade and picnic. The parade will begin at 11:00 am followed by children's games. Hot dogs, beverages and dessert will be available for sale. If you have any questions, please contact Roseanna Lourdeaux at rossevents@gmail.com.

San Rafael: Marin County Fair and Fireworks

• The Marin County Fair (at Marin County Fairgrounds, Civic Center Drive) 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 July 1–5. Info: (415) 499-6400, www.marinfair.org.

Sausalito 4th of July Parade and Fireworks

• Sausalito’s one-of-a-kind 4th of July will start at South Bridgeway at 10 am, and will move through downtown Sausalito to Caledonia Street and into Dunphy Park. Following the parade is a town picnic in the park with food, entertainment, raffles, tug-of-war, and an egg toss from noon to 5:00 pm.
• Fireworks Extravaganza at the Gabrielson Park- 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Music fills the evening air in anticipation of the grand finale to a fun filled day in Sausalito. Richardson's Bay provides a beautiful view and front row seating to our very own fireworks display off Spinnaker Point. The evening is hosted by the Sausalito Presbyterian Church. Free. For a complete schedule of the daily events, go to their website.

Sleepy Hollow Parade, BBQ and Happy Hour

• The morning starts at 9 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 hot dog lunch hosted by the Sleepy Hollow sea lions swim team follows along with swimming in the pool. Happy Hour begins at 5 pm with BBQ oysters followed by dinner. More info: www.shha.org
  

Tiburon Fireworks Cruise

• 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 pm. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase, or feel free to bring your own snacks, drinks, or picnic dinner. More info: (415) 435-2131.

Woodacre 4th of July Parade and Breakfast

• Bring the family to Woodacre's Independence Day parade on July 4th. The parade begins at noon in downtown Woodacre, with live music, a BBQ, games, and horse rides afterward at Dickson Ranch untill 5 pm. There will be a flea market all day. The Woodacre firefighters' pancake breakfast is from 8 to 11 am at the Woodacre Fire Station, 33 Castle Rock Road. Breakfast is $7 for adults; $3 for children. 

Elsewhere in the Bay Area

• Radio Disney presents 4th of July 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! Two cruises available at 8 pm and 8:15 pm (non-alcoholic cruise). Advance tickets $52 adults, $42 children; day-of-event $60 adults, $50 children. They also offer a family pack with 2 adult and 2 child tickets for $162. Boats depart from Pier 39. 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. Info: (510) 548-3553
• Napa: 4th of July Celebration at dusk at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park. Info: (707) 257-9529
• Petaluma: July 4th fireworks 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 from 3–9:30 pm. Fireworks at 9:30 pm. Info: www.pier39.com
• Santa Rosa: Sonoma County's Red, White, and Boom at Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds open at 4:30 pm. The fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. Info: www.sonomacountyfair.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 4th of July celebration with fireworks on July 3 and 4, 10 am–10 pm. Info and admission prices: www.sixflags.com/discovery/Kingdom

Some cities are celebrating Independence Day a little early this year, and are holding their fireworks displays on Friday, July 3:

• Bodega Bay:
  Fireworks over the Bay at 9:30 pm at Westside Park. Info: (707) 875-3866 or www.bodegabay.com
• Sebastopol:
  Fireworks take place at Analy High Saturday, July 3rd and start at dusk. For a small fee you can enter into the festivities area and enjoy live music, food and many other activities.