2009 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.

Corte Madera-Larkspur

• The Corte Madera-Larkspur festivities start off with a pancake breakfast at Larkspur's American Legion Twin Cities Post 313 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at the corner of Ward Street and Magnolia Avenue. The cost is $5 to $7 and proceeds benefit local Boy and Girl Scouts and Little League.
• Don’t miss this year’s 44th 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. Post-parade festivities at Corte Madera's Town Park 9 am to 5 pm include arts and crafts, food and drink, carnival games, children's activities, and live entertainment. The parade leaves Redwood High School in Larkspur at 10:30 am, moves down Magnolia into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais Ave. to the Town Center. Free. Info: (415) 924-0441 or www.cortemadera.org.

Inverness

• The 102nd annual 4th of July "Races at Inverness" will be held from 10 am–1 pm on Inverness Way North near the Inverness firehouse. Join in on the family foot races and the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Marinwood Firefighter's Association's 49th 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 17th Annual 4th of July Parade, Breakfast, and Races

• Novato’s 17th Annual 4th of July Parade begins at 10 am in downtown Novato, at the corner of Grant and Railroad Avenues. This year's theme is "Novato Goes Green" which emphasizes the importance of energy conservation and of the environment in today's world. 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.
• The 56th annual Buckaroo Breakfast will be part of 4th of July festivities in Novato served from 7:30 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. Proceeds will be donated to the Marin Community mission project. For more info, call (415) 897-6152.
  

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 $12 to $14, and includes free carnival rides, exhibits, and music. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. 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 follow after at 9:15 pm. Free. For a complete schedule of the daily events, go to their website.

Ross Picnic

• Come one come all to the annual Ross Commons picnic parade and picnic. The parade will start at 11:00 am from the College of Marin parking lot #10 to Ross Common, where the Fourth of July festivities will take place. Hot dogs, cold drinks, cookies, watermelon and popcorn will be available to purchase. For more info, call (415) 453-1453, ext. 176.

Sleepy Hollow Parade & BBQ

• The morning starts at 9 am with a fun run for all ages, with by an old-fashioned parade at 11 am beginning at the intersection of Butterfield and Deer Hollow Roads. A BBQ lunch hosted by the Sleepy Hollow Swim Team, pool games in the afternoon, music, and entertainment for the younger children in the Clubhouse follow. In the evening a BBQ dinner starts with local oysters, followed by dancing to a live band until late in the evening.
  

Tiburon Fireworks Cruise

• One of the best ways to see the San Francisco fireworks display is from the Bay! The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Co. will offer a 4th of July fireworks cruise. The cruise begins boarding at 7:30 pm and departs  at 8 pm from the Tiburon ferry dock off Main Street. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children. For more information, call (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 at the Woodacre Improvement Club (1 Garden Way) and follows Railroad Avenue to the Dickson Ranch, where a good old-fashioned celebration takes over. It's family affair with games, face painting for the kids, competitions (including the men's ugly leg contest), horse rides, plenty of music, barbecue, bingo, and everyone's favorite, the flea market. A 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 and raffle, set to stirring patriotic songs and marches. Family activities begin at 5 pm with pre-concert entertainment. More information: www.sfsymphony.org
• Celebrate the 4th of July at the historic Dunsmuir Hellman Estate in Oakland, noon to 6 pm. Enjoy a picnic, music, classic games, and contests (including watermelon and pie eating contests). There will also be a teddy bear parade starting at 1 pm, so bring your bears and and join in the fun. Admission: adults, $5; children, $2; under 5, Free; family price, $12 (2
  adults, 2 children). Tour included. More information: www.dunsmuir.org
• Take a 4th of July Fireworks Cruise with Alcatraz Cruises and see the San Francisco fireworks display from the Bay! Two cruises available, ticket prices range from $30–$50 (children under 5 free). Boarding starts at 7:45 pm. More information: www.alcatrazcruises.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, Fireworks at 9:30 pm off the end of the Berkeley Pier. Info: (510) 981-6737.
• Napa:
  4th of July Celebration at dusk at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park. For more info, go to www.napavalley.com.
• Petaluma:
  July 4th Fireworks 175 Fairgrounds Drive. Free. Fireworks begin at dusk. Info: (707) 778-4380 or  www.cityofpetaluma.net.
• San Francisco:
  4th of July Waterfront Festival; Pier 39. Free. Live music from 1–9:30 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: santarosaredwhiteandboom.com.
• Sonoma:
  4th of July Fireworks Display. Vallejo's Field, West Spain St. Free. Fireworks at dusk. Info: (707) 938-4626.
• Vallejo:
  Saturday, July 4-Parade at 10 a.m., rubber duck derby at 3 pm at the Waterfront and watch fireworks at 9:30 pm over Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom

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: www.bodegabay.com
• Sebastopol:
  Fireworks take place at Analy High Friday 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.