A chorus of oohs and aahs will be heard throughout the county and beyond come Fourth of July, when the nighttime sky becomes the backdrop for striking displays of bright, colorful lights. And while the fireworks shows may serve as the grand finale of the holiday, many area celebrations are about more than just the pyrotechnics.
Windsor: July 3rd Fireworks & Lasers
Windsor’s Independence Day celebration, presented by the town of Windsor and G&M Productions, will once again dazzle the community with both a fireworks and laser show, preceded by an evening of live music, food, beer and wine vendors, a kid’s zone with jump houses, obstacle courses and the Sonoma County Traveling Fair.
“It’s one of those things that you remember as a kid,” Manny Rivera of G&M Productions said. “It’s that ‘wow’ factor of the fireworks. We are adding in the laser show, which is really cool, too, because a lot of the kids are into the laser. It’s definitely something to look forward to each year,” he said, adding, “I like (the celebration as a whole) because it’s on July 3rd, so you can come out and relax a bit, enjoy the fireworks, and there’s no work the next day.”
Windsor Kaboom! will be held July 3, at Keiser Park, 700 Windsor River Rd. Spectators can bring blankets, chairs, cameras, picnics and non-alcoholic beverages. Animals, alcohol, barbecues, fireworks, weapons and gang colors are not permitted.
The park opens to the general public at 4 p.m.; activities begin at 5 p.m.; fireworks shoot off around dusk. General admission is $3; children 5 and under are free.
Part of the proceeds from this year’s show will once again go toward the Wounded Warrior Project, a national organization that benefits injured soldiers.
Sebastopol: July 3rd Fireworks & Music Extravaganza
An estimated 5,000 West County residents are expected to attend the 40th Annual 3rd of July Fireworks & Music Extravaganza, made possible by the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club and community sponsorships, which fund the event.
“Fantastic” is the word Kiwanis Club member Kim Camp used to describe the celebration, which will include live bands, food vendors, games, relays, potato sack races, bouncy houses, a raffle, and a flag ceremony held by Boy Scout troupe 27, among other things.
“It’s just a fantastic community event. Come out and see your friends and family. Bring your chairs and blankets and come join the party,” Camp said.
The show not only offers a good time, but also raises around $30,000, which gets channeled back into the community in the form of grants and donations, supporting many local organizations and school groups.
Sebastopol’s fireworks extravaganza is set for July 3 at the Analy High School football field. Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets and coats, and bleacher seating is also available. Pets, alcohol and personal fireworks are not permitted.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; music starts at 6 p.m.; flag ceremony is at 9:20 p.m.; and fireworks blast off soon after, or at approximately 9:40 p.m.
General admission is $8. Youth between the age of 6 and 11 cost $5; children 5 and under are free.
Healdsburg: July 4th Fireworks, Pancakes, Parade & Pies
Healdsburg’s pyrotechnics show, presented by the American Legion, features lots of fireworks and begins at dusk, when the American Legion provides sky-high entertainment at the Healdsburg High School football field, 1024 Prince Ave.
“It’s a good show,” Bob Taylor, finance officer with the American Legion, Sotoyome Post 111 said. “We have never had anyone complain. Everyone has always been amazed at how large the show is.”
Other 4th of July-related activities take place earlier in the day at different locations. Boy Scout Troop 21 will kick off Independence Day with its annual 4th of July pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon at the Villa Chanticleer Annex, 1248 North Fitch Mountain Rd.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children, and can be purchased from any Troop 21 Boy Scout on the Plaza during the Tuesday night concert series, at the Sunday morning Farmers Market or at the Villa on July 4.
Community members are also invited to the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise’s second annual 4th of July event at the downtown plaza. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a children’s parade (entrants need to register at 10:30 a.m.) followed by music and games, including a good-old fashioned pie-eating contest.
And while this year’s show will go on, the Legion is currently about $6,000 short of paying for next year’s event and is seeking donations. Contributions can be made at the upcoming fireworks show or by sending a donation to the American Legion, P.O. Box 281, Healdsburg, 95449.
Staff Writer Stuart Tiffen contributed to this article.
Best ways to experience Independence Day in Sonoma County
Windsor’s Kaboom! Independence Day Celebration: July 3, 5 to 10 p.m., Keiser Park, 700 Windsor River Rd. General admission is $3; children 5 and under are free.
Sebastopol’s Fireworks & Music Extravaganza: July 3, 6 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.), Analy High School football field, 6950 Analy Ave. General admission is $8. Youth 6 to 11 cost $5; children 5 and under are free.
Healdsburg’s Fireworks Display: July 4, at dusk, Healdsburg High School’s football field, 1024 Prince Ave. The show is free, but donations are accepted.
Fireworks over the Bay: July 5, 9:30 p.m., Westside Park, 2400 Westshore Rd., Bodega Bay. Admission is free.
Monte Rio: July 6–7, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monte Rio Beach. Big Rocky Games on the beach and in the water from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; barbecue from noon to 5 p.m. at the Monte Rio Volunteer Fire Department; Saturday night, back on the beach, water carnival culminating in fireworks display. Admission is free.
Guerneville: July 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Guerneville Plaza. Downtown crafts fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Russian River Rotary barbecue, noon to 6 p.m., at Lark’s Parking lot; block party followed by fireworks beginning at dusk.
