In Richmond, the Fourth of July comes a day early. Drive, bike, or bus to Marina Bay Park at 5 p.m. on Thur., July 3, for fireworks pizzazz, pops, and community pride.
The annual event at Regatta Boulevard and Marina Bay Parkway kicks off with food from local vendors before the big show, scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your own chairs and blankets, and the city encourages attendees to use public transportation, as the first-come, first-served parking spaces are expected to fill up.
Not far away, if you’re willing to pay, Riggers Loft offers a prime bayfront spot to see the city’s show while enjoying a dance party and live music. For $35 ($15 if you’re under 21), you can sit on the winery’s patio and enjoy food, wine and cider, accompanied by soul accordionist Andre Thierry and his band. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. (5:15 p.m. if you’re a club member). The event ends after the fireworks show.
If hoppier beverages make your palate happier, East Brother Beer Company will host a food truck from Golden Gate Bistro on July 3 and music from Los Rockeros on Fri., July 4, both from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
And since Independence Day falls a first Friday, you can stop by Windchaser Wine Company, 1532 S. 49th St., for its first Friday event, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to their usual wine selections, there will be food pop-ups including the Rocky Island Oysters Company, Pickles N Smoke, and Mr. Dim Sum and Factory Bar cocktails. Music will be provided by The Charles Wheal Band.
Another live music option on July 4 is folk rock one-man-band The Real John Gary at the Sailing Goat Restaurant,1900 Stenmark Drive, from noon to 3 p.m.
Things to do on the Fourth of July in San Pablo
After Richmond’s celebration on Thursday, the party moves to San Pablo, where the city’s Multi-Cultural Celebration will be held on Fri., July 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m at the Community Center on 2450 Road 20. The city advertises carnival games, food trucks, and the Bruno Mars tribute band Locked Out of Heaven. There aren’t traditional fireworks (so you can talk to the moon, as Mars might say), but you can enjoy a drone light show in that 24k magic.
27th El Cerrito worldOne Festival is July 3 and 4
In Cerrito Vista Park, 950 Pomona Ave., the worldOne Festival celebrates its 27th year this Thursday and Friday.
On July 3, DJ worldOneLove will play from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. On the Friday, “getcha dancing feet and low back chairs readyyy,” the website says. Gamelan Sekar Jaya, a Balinese musician, kicks things off on the main stage at 11 a.m. Throughout the day reggae, cumbia, salsa, hip hop, and jazz will rock the stage until 5 p.m.
The festival is still looking for volunteers.
Albany July Fourth celebration features free ice cream and kid friendly fun
For a kid friendly midday affair, head to Albany, where a Fourth of July celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park, 1325 Portland Ave. In addition to a rock climbing wall, the city has partnered with the Police Activities League to establish an imagination playground, a collection of foam building blocks that promises fun for those of juice box drinking age. They’ve got a photo booth and temporary tattoos, and if you’re there at noon, the Albany Chamber of Commerce is giving out free ice cream. Finally, there will be a bike valet so you can avoid the traffic.
Pinole celebrates July Fourth with drone show
At Pinole Valley High School, 2900 Pinole Valley Road, a Fourth of July celebration runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It features food trucks, children’s activities, and will end with a drone light show.
Book a July Fourth boat cruise on the bay
If land-lubbing isn’t your thing, you can book a higher-end holiday: City Cruise is offering a cruise on San Francisco Bay. This three-hour trip starts at 7:30 p.m. and includes a chef-prepared dinner, drinks, and dancing. For $276 (or $412, if you want a bottle of champagne and a keepsake flute), you can book your tickets here.
July Fourth celebrations in east Contra Costa County
If all of the above doesn’t satisfy your patriotic spirit, there will be a fireworks show, parade and festival in Concord on July 4. There are also July Fourth events planned in Martinez, Antioch, Pittsburg and Pleasant Hill.
Remember: All types of fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County
Setting off your own fireworks, even the kinds labeled “safe and sane,” is illegal in Contra Costa County, and violators can face fines of up to $1,000, according to the state fire marshal. And, if you’re selling them or transporting large quantities of such explosives across state lines, you could face a felony, a $50,000 fine and time in prison.
Fireworks can start destructive wildfires, and the noise is disruptive to people with PTSD and pets, the Richmond citizens action group Stop Illegal Fireworks (SIF) points out.
Because the Richmond Police Department finds it’s difficult to catch violators in the act, SIF encourages citizens to report illegal fireworks to the Contra Costa Fireworks Hotline at (833) 885-2021. Sales can be reported to Contra Costa Fire at (925) 941-3300.
