Independence Day 2018: Fireworks, festivals and more in Carson City and the surrounding areas

A very happy Fourth of July to everyone. Listed below is my collection of celebrations in Northern Nevada. You’ll find them listed by their start time, so read through the list for all your options. If there is not a city/town listed after the location, then the event is happening in Carson City. Carson Valley doesn’t have a fireworks celebration, but they get the day off to a great start with a fun run, bbqs, concerts, and more. Be prepared for traffic if you want to watch at the lake, and a designated driver is suggested no matter where you end up. Have a safe holiday and enjoy.

WEDNESDAY: Fourth of July – Independence Day
Fireworks Displays at Dusk in Carson City, Virginia City, North and South Shore Lake Tahoe, Reno and Sparks – ALL types of personal fireworks are illegal EVERYWHERE in Northern Nevada

• — Sixth annual Freedom 5K Fun Run/Walk and Concert of Patriotic Songs in the Park at Heritage Park: 1447 Courthouse Alley, Gardnerville (register 7am-7:45am, 5K Run/Walk begins 8am; $35 per person, $30 for active/retired military and kids – 20% discount for groups of 4 or more: Includes t-shirt, medal and bib; Dress up in the most wild and crazy outfits for your chance for best dressed and don't forget the dog, too; dogs must be child/dog friendly, vaccinated, leashed and positioned in the back of the race; 8am Carson Valley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, $7; 11:30am Free Carson Valley Pops Orchestra Concert featuring the Voices of the Sierra Choral Group)
• — Fourth of July Celebration with the Inyo, V&T Locomotive #25, the McKeen Motor Car and the Glenbrook at the Nevada State Railroad Museum Edwards Motor Car Rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum (museum open 9am-4:30pm; Parade of Trains 9:45am; The #25 and McKeen Motor Car will alternate runs 10:40am-4pm, Unlimited Train Ride wristband/museum admission $15 for adults, $10 for members, $9 for children 12 to 17, $5 for children 4 to 11)
• — Sierra Chef Farmers Market at Lampe Park on Waterloo in Gardnerville (9am-1pm; An assortment of fresh local foods, crafts and local specialties; 10am Storytime and Craft with the Douglas County Public Library)
• — Liberty Bell Ringing at the Nevada State Museum (10am; 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)
• — Fourth of July on the Comstock, Virginia City (Celebration begins at 10am, Parade 12pm; 6pm-9pm Second Amendment Concert with David Johns and the Comstock Cowboys in the Bucket of Blood Parking Lot; 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)
• — Genoa Americana Festival at Mormon Station Park, Genoa (10am-6pm, free; 10am Kids Parade and Opening Ceremonies; 11am-6pm Genoa Volunteer Fire Department Chicken BBQ $12; 12pm Ringing of the Original School bell at Genoa Courthouse Museum; 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-2pm, free; Music, Kid’s Bike Parade and activities, Free hot dogs/hamburgers/popsicles, beverages will be available for purchase; Sponsored by the Town of Minden, Model Dairy, and Carson Valley Inn)
• — Free Lunch for Kids Program at the Bridge Church: 901 N. Stewart AND at Park Terrace Park: 1327 La Loma (11am-12:15pm, weather permitting; Open to ages 2-18, Children do not need to be enrolled in any program at the meal site - Adults are not eligible for these federally funded meals; Meals must be eaten at the serving site, they cannot be carried away; hosted by Food For Thought)
• — Beach Bash and 73rd annual fireworks Show at Commons Beach in Tahoe City, North Lake Tahoe (11am-10pm, free; live music, contests, and more; Fireworks at 9:30pm)
• — RSVP’s 26th annual Fourth of July Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park (Carnival 1pm-10pm, Live Music with the Heidi Incident 4pm-8pm, Live Radio Remote 6pm-9pm and choreographed fireworks soundtrack on Wild 102.9 FM; Fireworks launched from Carson High School approx. 9:30pm; $5 off coupon for $30 unlimited ride wristband available at the RSVP booth; live music, great food and craft vendors, carnival rides and games for all ages; Wheelhouse Skate Expo with giveaways and skate jams)
• — Fourth of July Lemonade Social at Washoe Lake State Park, Washoe Valley (1pm-2pm; Meet with park staff near the Main Boat Ramp. We will have light refreshments, park information, and more; park entrance fee $5 per vehicle)
• — Flashback Cinema: Jaws (1975) at the Galaxy Theater - Fandango (2pm; $8.50 adults, $7.75 kids)
• — 4th of July at The Fox: BBQ Beer Bash and Outdoor Concert with the Cash Only Band on the Third Street Stage, in the Bob McFadden Plaza at Third and Curry (3pm-9pm; free; food and drink available in the Plaza; Jenga, Corn Hole, Splash Pad and More; sponsored by the Fox Brewpub, a portion of total sales will help individuals displaced by fire )
• — 19th annual Star-Spangled Sparks Fireworks Spectacular in Victorian Square, Sparks (4pm-10pm Street Party with food and craft vendor booths; 5pm Live Music; Fireworks at 9:45pm; no pets, bbqs, or glass containers allowed)
• — Live Music with Whiskey Maiden in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (6pm-10pm)
• — Independence Day Celebration: Reno Aces VS the Sacramento River Cats at Greater Nevada Field, Downtown Reno (opening pitch 6:35pm; post-game fireworks spectacular)
• — Flashback Cinema: Jaws (1975) at the Galaxy Theater - Fandango (7pm; $10.25 adults, $7.75 kids)
• — Jazz Jam hosted by Sherre Carnes and Chuck Hughes at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (7:30pm-10:30pm; no cover; Featuring Peter Supersano on keys)
• — ARTOWN: Celebrate America with 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)
• — Concert Series with Ted Nugent at TJ's Corral Outdoor Arena at the Carson Valley Inn, Minden (8pm, box office opens at 4pm; $59 standing room only)
• — Lights on the Lake Fourth of July Fireworks in South Lake Tahoe (sundown, 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 or KOWL-AM 1490 for a synchronized music broadcast)