|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Though the Fourth of July this year falls just one day short of making it a long holiday weekend, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of a Thursday off and celebrate. There are favorite traditions, old and new, from Redwood City’s longstanding parade and Woodside’s rodeo to Palo Alto’s chili cookoff and the San Francisco Symphony’s annual concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre, plus a newer favorite, a chalk art festival, also in Redwood City.
After dark, there are fireworks displays along the Peninsula and in the South Bay, though the city of Sunnyvale this year is forgoing the bang, but not the sparkle, with a drone light show stepping in for conventional fireworks. Here’s what’s happening around the Peninsula, Coastside and the South Bay for the Fourth:
Foster City
Foster City Fourth of July
The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast, followed by a family and dog parade. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy games and food trucks. Live entertainment includes performances by Andy Z, Smokin’ Slice of Mojo and Fog City Swampers. Capping off the event is a fireworks show around 9:30 p.m.
July 4, 9 a.m.-9:45 p.m., at Leo Ryan Park, 650 Shell Blvd, Foster City, fostercity.org.
Los Altos Hills
Los Altos Hills Fourth of July parade
The 13th annual parade kicks off at Los Altos Hills Town Hall, marches down Fremont Road, and concludes at Gardner Bullis School, where participants can enjoy drinks and watermelon. The parade will include six to eight horses from Los Altos Hills Horseman’s Association.
July 4, gather at 9 a.m., parade begins at 10 a.m. at 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills. losaltoshills.ca.gov.
Mountain View
San Francisco Symphony Fireworks Spectacular
Edwin Outwater conducts the San Francisco Symphony in its annual Fourth of July concert. The program features patriotic favorites, plus guest vocalist Jessica Vosk joining the symphony to perform popular songs celebrating the power of heroes from “Wicked,” “Beaches” and more. The concert closes with a fireworks display. As part of the event, Shoreline Amphitheatre hosts an evening of family fun starting at 5 p.m., with kids’ activities, favorite American foods and an afterparty with DJ Billy Vidal.
July 4, 7 p.m., at Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, $26-$163, livenation.com
Palo Alto
Palo Alto Chili Cookoff and Summer Festival
Palo Alto’s annual Fourth of July celebration includes free chili tasting, plus food trucks, beer and margaritas, live music with Steady Eddy and the Shakers, and games and activities for kids. The cookoff features divisions for individuals and groups, with the first-place winner taking home $1,000. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or picnic blankets and reusable water bottles.
July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. cityofpaloalto.org.
Redwood City
Redwood City Independence Day Parade, Festival and Fireworks
The Peninsula Celebration Association hosts its annual 4th of July parade in Redwood City. Voice artist Kaitlyn Robrock will be the grand marshal. A pancake breakfast in support of local firefighters kicks off the day. The celebrations also include a festival with arts and crafts, food, drinks, community booths and kid-friendly activities at Courthouse Square. A fireworks show at the Port of Redwood City concludes the day.
All events take place on July 4. Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Brewster Avenue and Winslow Street, Redwood City. Pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. at Fire Station 9, 755 Marshall St., Redwood City. Breakfast is $10. The festival takes place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at the Port of Redwood City, 675 Seaport Blvd., Redwood City. parade.org.
Chalk Full of Fun
The festival, marking its 10th anniversary this year, features chalk artists creating colorful temporary works of art in Redwood City’s Courthouse Square on July 3 and 4. The event, presented by the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, invites visitors to take part by registering online for a square and free supplies to create their own works of art.
July 3-4, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. rwcpaf.org/chalk-full-of-fun
An Old-Fashioned Fourth
The San Mateo County History Museum hosts an event inspired by the “Come Out and Play” theme of Redwood City’s parade, with crafts from the 1880s, including pinwheels and paper flags. The museum will also show summer-themed films from its archives, including a 1915 baseball game between Santa Clara University and Redwood City.
July 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (films at 1 p.m.), at San Mateo County History Museum, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. $2-$3. historysmc.org.
Menlo Park
Menlo Park Fourth of July
Start the day with a people parade at Burgess Park — guests are encouraged to dress up in red, white and blue and decorate their bikes or wagons to join in the fun. After the parade, stay at the park for food, games, family-friendly activities and live music with rock/R&B band Lady and the Tramps.
The city is also offering a special $4 family swim day at city-owned swim centers (Burgess Pool, 501 Laurel St. and Belle Haven Pool, 100 Terminal Ave.)
July 4, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., at Burgess Park, 501 Laurel St., Menlo Park. menlopark.gov.
Woodside
Woodside Junior Rodeo
The 72nd annual event features rodeo events such as barrel racing and pole-bending. Guests can also enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, vendors and a barbecue. A pre-rodeo dinner dance takes place the evening before the rodeo.
July 3, 6 p.m. pre-rodeo dinner; tickets are $20-$30; July 4, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. rodeo. Tickets are $15-$20. Both dinner and rodeo take place at Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, 521 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside, mpsmc.org/rodeo.
Coastside
Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July Parade and Block Party
Kick off the day with a pancake breakfast, then gather on Main Street at noon to see floats, classic cars, horses, dance troupes, youth sports teams and local dignitaries march along the parade route. After the parade, enjoy a block party featuring beer and wine, live music, a kids zone and a patriotic outfit contest, plus a festival hosted by the I.D.E.S. organization, with live music, over 20 artisans, food and beverages, axe-throwing, a kids’ corner with games and activities, jump houses and more.
July 4, pancake breakfast 8-11:30 a.m., at Portuguese Culture Center, 724 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay; suggested donation is $12; parade starts at noon on Main Street with block party to follow; I.D.E.S. Festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Attendance is free. july4th.miramarevents.com.
Pacifica Fourth of July Celebration
The city of Pacifica hosts an event with live music, food and drinks, games and rides.
July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Frontierland Park, 900 Yosemite Drive, Pacifica, cityofpacifica.org.
South Bay
Cupertino Fourth of July
A pancake breakfast opens the day at the Quinlan Community Center, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and children’s parade at neighboring Memorial Park, where the event concludes with a concert by Phil n’ the Blanks.
July 4, pancake breakfast 7:30-11 a.m.; ceremony and parade at 10 a.m.; concert 10:30 a.m.-noon. Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino and Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, cupertino.org.
California’s Great America Fourth of July
Guests at the theme park can spend the day enjoying rides and games and take part in an all-you-can-eat Fourth of July cookout, featuring barbecued meats, sides, desserts and drinks. The day concludes with a fireworks display.
July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. Cookout is $29.95 for children 12 and under and $59.95 for adults, in addition to park admission. Park admission starts at $44.99 for children and $49.99 for adults. cagreatamerica.com.
Los Gatos Symphony in the Park
The town of Los Gatos hosts an event featuring a children’s bike and stroller parade, flag-raising ceremony and performance by the San Jose Wind Symphony. There will also be food trucks on hand.
July 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, losgatosca.gov.
Rose White & Blue Parade and Festival
The South Bay tradition is a parade highlighting local organizations and performing groups such as Santa Clara Performance and Elite Dance Team, Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí, Áo Dài Festival, La Cumbiamba Colombiana and others. The festival includes Pro Wrestling Revolution Lucha Libre matches and GoGo Skateboarding lessons for the community, as well as vendors and performances.
July 4, 9:45 a.m.-3 p.m., at 1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose, rwbsj.org.
Santa Clara Fourth of July
The city of Santa Clara celebrates with a lineup of food trucks serving a variety of cuisines, activities and live entertainment featuring local bands and performers. The day closes with fireworks (from Great America).
July 4, 4-10 p.m., at Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, santaclaraca.gov.
Sunnyvale Drone Show
The city of Sunnyvale marks the holiday without a bang, but still with plenty of spectacle, hosting a drone show that will light up the sky in colorful shapes and patterns. The event also kicks off with live DJ music.
July 4, 6:30 p.m. parking opens; 7 p.m. DJ music; 9:15 p.m. drone show; Great Meadow at Baylands Park, 999 E. Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, sunnyvale.ca.gov.