Marin County (July 4th Celebrations)
Independence Day is a heartbeat away and one of the beauties of life in the North Bay is the variety of fun events that our charming communities organize at this time of year. Read on to learn of the many unique ways to observe this all-American holiday. Happy Fourth!
Corte Madera-Larkspur
43rd Annual Corte Madera/Larkspur Chambers of Commerce 4th of July Parade – Elaborate floats, precision drill teams, classic cars and the Corte Madera Town Band.
Parade Time: 10:30 am
Route: From Redwood High in Larkspur, it moves down Magnolia into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais Ave to the Town Center.
Post-parade: Check out the festivities at Corte Madera’s Town Park: arts and crafts, food and drink, carnival games, children’s activities and live entertainment.
Info: (415) 924-0441.
Novato
16th Annual 4th of July Parade – Come see over 100 parade entries ranging from classic cars and vehicles from a military museum to Irish bagpipes and a Chinese drum and bell corps.
Parade Time: 10 am
Route: Downtown Novato, starting at the corner of Grant and Railroad Avenues
Along the parade route, you will also find food and refreshment booths, and souvenir t-shirts.
Info: (415) 899-8900.
The 55th Annual Buckaroo Breakfast
Location: Redwood Credit Union parking lot: 1010 Grant Ave, downtown Novato
Time: Breakfast served from 7-10 am
Organizer: The event is presented by the Presbyterian Church of Novato.
Fee: There is a suggested donation of $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Proceeds will be donated to the Marin Community mission project.
First Annual Novato 4th of July Race
Tamalpa, a Marin running club, presents a “4 on the 4th” four-mile road race and a “Mayor’s Mile” one-mile family walk/jog.
Starting time/place: 7:20 am at 7th and Grant, downtown Novato
Entry fee: $15, which includes a race mug and post-race goodies
Petaluma
SesquiFest – This year, Petaluma is observing its 150th anniversary, and they’re making a joint celebration to go along with Independence Day. The day starts off with a 10K run at Putnam Park, then the celebration moves over to the Marin-Sonoma Fairgrounds for live music, fun for kids, food and fireworks display.
Location: The Sonoma-Marin (Petaluma) Fairgrounds, entry on E. Washington & Ellis Streets
Fee: $5 admission, free for kids under 13
Time: Gates open at 3pm; fireworks after dark
Ross
Annual Ross Commons Picnic – Pack your own lunch, or you can order from Eddie’s. The picnic begins at noon and will take place at the Grove area of the Common.
Info: (415) 453-1453, ext. 176
San Rafael
Marin County Fair and Fireworks
The Marin County Fair (at Marin County Fairgrounds, Civic Center Drive) offers Marin County’s official fireworks display. The July 4th concert features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.
Fair admission: $12 to $14, and includes free carnival rides, exhibits, and music
Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm
Info: (415) 499-6400
Santa Rosa
5th Annual Bicycle Santa Rosa – 4th Of July Festival And Bike Ride
The celebration begins with a bike ride with elected officials and candidates. The festival will feature live music and vendors, a bike decorating contest and parade for kids, a slow bike race, a flat tire changing contest, water balloon toss, a jump house, various art activities, drawings for prizes and more. SCBC will provide free valet bike parking.
Bike Ride Time & Place: 9am at Julliard Park, returning around 11 am
Festival: 11 am-3 pm
Info: (707) 545-0153
Sausalito
4th of July Parade and Fireworks – This year’s parade will include the Cal Alumni Marching Band, floats of all shapes and sizes, and the Sausalito Fire Department.
Parade Time: 10 am
Route: Starting at South Bridgeway, it will move through downtown Sausalito to Caledonia St and into Dunphy Park.
Post Parade: A town picnic in the park with food, entertainment, raffles, tug-of-war, and an egg toss. Fireworks: 9:15 pm
For a complete schedule of the day’s events, go to www.ci.sausalito.ca.us
Sonoma
4th of July Parade & Old Fashioned Celebration – Complete with booths, food, art show, games, music by the Hometown Band, Crossfire and Carlos Herrera. After dark there are fireworks at the field by General Vallejo’s house (east of the plaza).
Location: Sonoma Plaza
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.
Boarding Time: 7:30 pm and departs at 8 pm
Place: The Tiburon ferry dock off Main Street
Fee: $40 for adults; $20 for children
Info: (415) 435-2131.Woodacre
4th of July Parade and Pancake Breakfast
Breakfast Time & Place: 8-11 am at the Woodacre Fire Station, 33 Castle Rock Rd.
Cost: $7 for adults; $3 for children
Parade Time: Noon
Route: Starting at the Woodacre Improvement Club (1 Garden Way), it follows Railroad Ave to the Dickson Ranch.
Post-Parade: A good old-fashioned celebration at Dickson Ranch – A 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.