Marin celebrants gear up for Fourth of July

From parades to picnics, the Fourth of July holiday promises celebrations and happenings throughout Marin.

In San Rafael, the second day of the Marin County Fair falls on the holiday. The main event, besides the night firework display, will be the “Splashback Music Fest” featuring a group of tribute bands covering hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

“I just love the Fair on the Fourth of July,” said Marge Bartolini, a member of the Marin Cultural Association board. “I love seeing the kids waiting in line for the carnival rides, I love watching both kids and adults roam through the Exhibit Hall to see if they won a blue ribbon for their competitive exhibit entry, but what I really love is indulging in a corn dog.”

“The fair is truly the best way to celebrate Independence Day with our wonderful community,” Bartolini said.

In Sausalito, events will be held from 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. The city plans a parade, a Dunphy Park picnic and an evening festival in Gabrielson Park. At 9:15 p.m., there will be a fireworks display off Spinnaker Point.

“I am a first-generation American,” said Sausalito Mayor Ian Sobieski. “My parents left their friends and family forever because of the hope America promises, and which Sausalito’s Fourth of July parade celebrates with wonderfully unique free expressions we will see from the participants of our zany parade. It is as unique and creative and homey as America herself.”

Larkspur and Corte Madera residents plan to hold their annual parade and festival at Town Park in Corte Madera. The parade will begin at Redwood High School in Larkspur and end at the Corte Madera Town Center.

The parade attractions will include the McIntosh Pipe Band and Freedom Band, antique trucks and cars and Joe Garbarino’s Military Museum.

“The Fourth of July Parade and Festival is the marquee event of the year in the Twin Cities, and for many of us, it’s the scene of some of our happiest memories,” said Corte Madera Mayor Eli Beckman. “All are welcome, so bring your friends and family to celebrate with the community – this is one event you don’t want to miss.”

The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Marin police will close the streets starting at 10 a.m. The streets will remain closed until 1:30 p.m.

Also in Larkspur, American Legion Post 313 plans to hold its holiday pancake breakfast and “gin fizz booth” at 500 Magnolia Ave. Proceeds will benefit the organization and Boy Scouts Troop 43. The opening flag ceremony is set for 7:45 a.m. and breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 adults and $10 for children. Gin fizzes, using a traditional 1928 recipe, are $5 each.

In Novato, the holiday parade is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Grant Avenue at Reichert Avenue and head west to Seventh Street.

“We are Novato proud and so grateful for our community volunteers and organizing committee that make our Fourth of July Parade such a special event,” said Mayor Mark Milberg. “Please come out and enjoy the celebration of all that makes Novato such an incredible city.”

The Presbyterian Church of Novato will hold its annual “buckaroo breakfast” in the parking lot of the Redwood Credit Union on Grant Avenue before the parade. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. and include eggs, pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. A suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Net proceeds will benefit Homeward Bound.

In Ross, the town parade is set for 11 a.m. A community picnic in Ross Common follows the parade with live music, food, games for children and a patriotic pooch contest.

In Homestead Valley, the holiday picnic and parade begin at 11 a.m. The parade route is Volunteer Park to Stolte Grove.

In Nicasio, Rancho Nicasio will hold a barbecue in the square beginning at 4 p.m., with music from Zydeco Flames.

The Inverness Fourth of July festivities, including foot races, are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Woodacre firefighters’ pancake breakfast begins at 9 a.m. at the fire station at 33 Castle Rock Road.

The San Geronimo Valley parade will begin at the Woodacre Improvement Club and follow Railroad Avenue to Dickson Ranch. The San Geronimo Valley Lions barbecue will take place at Dickson Ranch immediately after the parade, approximately 12:30 to 4 p.m. The event will include games, horse and pony rides, burgers and hot dogs, a flea market and live music.

On the coast, the Briones Lions Club’s annual Fourth of July celebration begins with a tug-of-war between Bolinas and Stinson Beach men’s and women’s teams starting at 9 a.m. at the lagoon channel.

In Bolinas, the Fourth of July parade begins at 11 a.m. at the southern end of Wharf Road. A Briones Lions Club barbecue starts at 10 a.m. at the downtown park. All downtown Bolinas streets will be closed to cars from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with $10 parking available at Mesa Park with a shuttle to downtown every 15 minutes.

For Marin residents driving out of the county for the holiday, the average price for a unleaded gallon of gas is $4.90, according to AAA. The statewide average is $4.79.

Last year, the Marin average was $4.88.