Go forth and celebrate: Events and fireworks during Independence Day weekend

Fourth of July celebrations abound in the Carson City area. Fireworks can be found in Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, Sparks, and at both north and south shore of Lake Tahoe. There are several daytime events going on, so grab the kids, friends, and family and have a great four-day Independence Day weekend!

Saturday, July 1

• --  Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of Trains 9am; museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Train Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17, $10 FNSTM members)
• --  RSVP’s 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park (Wheelhouse Skate Expo with giveaways and skate jams 12pm-?; Carnival 5pm-10pm; $5 off coupon for unlimited ride wristband available at the RSVP booth)
• --  Downtown Business Association's Wine Walk: sign up at the Carson Nugget, Cactus Jacks, Carson Jewelry and Loan, Touched By Angels, Comma Coffee, Purple Avocado, or the Brewery Arts Center Artisan Store (1pm-5pm, raffle at 5pm sharp in the Carson Nugget Alatte Coffee and Wine Bar; $15 to participate, includes commemorative wine glass)
• -- Star Spangled Sparks: All American Block Party and Fireworks Show in Victorian Square, Sparks (Street Party 4pm-10pm; live music, food vendors, crafts and a fireworks show; Fireworks at 9:45pm; no pets, bbqs, or glass containers allowed)
• --  Free Outdoor Community Concert: The Novelists with opening act, Athena McIntyre – part of the Levitt AMP Music Series on the Minnesota Street Stage at the Brewery Arts Center (concert begins 7pm; Free; Pets on leashes are welcomed.  Bring your own chair, or use one of ours. Food trucks and bars will be available; kids activities and a bounce house, but parents must stay with their children at all times)

Sunday, July 2:

• --  Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of Trains 9am; museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Train Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17, $10 FNSTM members)
• --  RSVP’s 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park (Carnival 12pm-10pm; Wheelhouse Skate Expo with giveaways and skate jams 12pm-?; Live DJ 4pm-8pm; $5 off coupon for unlimited ride wristband available at the RSVP booth)Biggest Little City Wing Fest, Downtown Reno (12pm-8pm)

Monday, July 3:

• --  Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of Trains 9am; museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Train Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17, $10 FNSTM members)
• --  Old Fashioned 4th of July Party at the Dayton Senior Center and Library: 320 Old Dayton Valley Rd, Dayton (10am-3pm; Activities to include a show and shine for classic vehicles - $10 entry fee, horseshoes, water balloon toss, cake walk, live music and BBQ)
• --  RSVP’s 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park (Carnival 12pm-10pm; Wheelhouse Skate Expo with giveaways and skate jams 12pm-?; Live DJ 4pm-8pm; $5 off coupon for unlimited ride wristband available at the RSVP booth)
• --  July Third Fireworks and Beach Party at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area, North Lake Tahoe (4pm-10pm, free; food trucks, beer garden, vendors, contests, games, music and more; Fireworks 9:30pm)

Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day
Carson City: Fireworks at Dusk

• --  Fourth of July Weekend Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (Parade of Trains 9am; museum open 9am-4:30pm, train runs every half hour 10am-4pm; museum admission $6, under 18 and FNSRM members free; Train Rides 10am-4pm; Unlimited Train Ride wristband $15, $5 kids 4-17, $10 FNSTM members)
• -- Liberty Bell Ringing at the Nevada State Museum (9:30am-11am; join the Battle Born Patriots Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; Revolutionary War music with the fifes and drums, Reading the Declaration, and ringing the liberty bell for each of the original 13 colonies)
• --  RSVP’s 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park (Carnival 12pm-10pm; Wheelhouse Skate Expo with giveaways and skate jams 12pm-?; Live Music with the Heidi Incident 4pm-8pm; $5 off coupon for unlimited ride wristband available at the RSVP booth; Live Radio Remote 6pm-9pm and choreographed fireworks soundtrack on Wild 102.9 FM; Fireworks launched from Carson High School approx. 9:30pm)
• --  Hot Dog Eating Contest at the Carson Mall (1pm-4pm; Enter in one of four age Categories: KIDS, TEENS, MEN and WOMEN, 2-Round Elimination; Entry fee $2.50, under 18 must have parents OK; Prizes, vendors, watermelon eating contest, grilled hot dogs, music by CW Bayer; Hot Dogs sponsored by Butler Gourmet Meats)
• --  A Food Truck 4th: Fourth of July Fundraiser for the Friends of the Carson City Library at the Carson City Library (doors open 6:30pm, food trucks open at 7pm, fireworks 9:30pm; $15 includes one meal from either Nevada Nosh Food Truck or La Enchalada, Music BINGO, reserved seating to Carson's 4th of July Fireworks and music directly pipped in from our DJ)

Douglas County: No Fireworks in Minden/Gardnerville tonight

• --  Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk and Concert in the Park with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra at Heritage Park: 1447 Courthouse Alley, Gardnerville (register 7am-7:45am, 5K Run/Walk begins 8am; $20 per person, $10 for active/retired military, discounts for groups of 4+; Patriotic costumes encouraged; 8am Carson Valley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, $8; Free Kids Obstacle Course 8am; Free Concert begins 11:30am)
• --  Genoa Americana Festival at Mormon Station Park, Genoa (10am-6pm, free; 10am Kids Parade and Opening Ceremonies; Genoa Volunteer Fire Department Chicken BBQ, 11am until they’re gone - $12; Live Music including a performance from the Carson City Symphony Orchestra at 4:30pm, festivities, five bands, games, old-time jams, raffles, and more; bring low-back chairs/blankets, and towels for the kids)
• --  Annual Fourth of July Festival in Minden Park, Downtown Minden (10am-1pm, free; Music, Kid’s Bike Parade and activities, Free hot dogs/hamburgers/popsicles; Sponsored by the Town of Minden, Model Dairy, and Carson Valley Inn)
• --  Carson Valley Pops Orchestra presents “A Concert of Patriotic Songs” in Heritage Park, Gardnerville (11:30am; free)

Virginia City: Fireworks at Dusk

• -- Fourth of July on the Comstock, Virginia City (Parade 12pm; Comstock Cowboys 2nd Amendment Concert in the Delta Parking Lot 6pm-9pm; Fireworks Spectacular at dusk; Echoing off Mt. Davidson at 6,200 feet elevation, the “kaboom” rocks the old 1850s historic mining community as the fireworks soar high above the town and Six Mile Canyon, making it visible from nearly anywhere in town)

Reno-Sparks: Fireworks at Dusk

• --  4th of July Lemonade Social at the Washoe Lake State Park (1pm-2pm; Stop by the Day Use Area and meet a ranger for lemonade and cookies. Ask questions about the park, see samples of park wildlife and pick up brochures and other information on Nevada State Parks; park entrance fee $7 per vehicle, $5 for NV residents)
• -- Star Spangled Sparks Fireworks Spectacular in Victorian Square, Sparks (Street Party 4pm-10pm; Patriotic Bike Parade registration begins 4pm at the 39 North tent on the corner of Victorian Ave. and 10th St – ride begins at 6pm; Fireworks at 9:45pm; no pets, bbqs, or glass containers allowed)
• --  ARTOWN: Celebrate America and the Reno Philharmonic in Wingfield Park, Downtown Reno (the family friendly performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will end with a fantastic choreographed firework finale at dusk; free; Bring your blankets, chairs and picnic baskets)
• -- Independence Day Celebration: Tacoma Rainiers vs. Reno Aces at Greater NV Field, Downtown Reno (opening pitch 6:35pm; fireworks at dusk)

Lake Tahoe: Fireworks at Dusk

• -- Beach Bash and Fireworks at Commons Beach in Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe (11am-10pm, free; live music, contests, and more; Fireworks at 9:30pm)
• --  Lights on the Lake Fourth of July Fireworks (approx. 9:45pm; best viewing at Nevada Beach, Timber Cove Marina, Tallac Historic Site/Baldwin Beach, Edgewood Tahoe, Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach; Tune your radio to KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490 for a synchronized music broadcast)

Wednesday, July 5:
-- Keep Tahoe Blue Beach Clean-up at Kiva/Tallac Historic Site, South Shore; Regan Beach, South Shore; Nevada Beach, East Shore; Kings Beach, North Shore; Commons Beach, North Shore (8:30am, bring water bottle, gloves, and sunscreen; refreshments, cleanup bags, gloves, and hand sanitizer provided; Raffle giveaway for participants; RSVP for any location at www.keeptahoeblue.org/july5 )