INDEPENDENCE — Thousands of revelers descended on Sebastopol
last Saturday for the 31st Annual July 3rd Fireworks Extravaganza
and Music Festival, which took place at Analy’s Karlson Field. The
event was sponsored by the Kiwanis of Sebastopol, which estimated
the paid attendance to be in the 5,000 to 6,000 range. Overall
attendance was down from last year, but with the crowds gathered on
the Analy campus and the downtown Plaza, the Kiwanis estimated the
overall crowd to be more than 10,000. “Many local organizations are
supported by this event,” said Kiwanis President Bob Green. “Ten
groups receive support by directly participating in the event and
another 20+ groups are supported by the proceeds of the event.” On
Sunday, July 4, the Sebastopol Downtown Plaza was full of people
enjoying the farmers’ market and the music of the Sebastopol
Community Band, which honored the occasion by ringing a gong 13
times for the original colonies. The beaches on the Russian River
were full as well, rounding out a sunny Independence Day weekend.
For more photos, go to galleries page – Photos by David Abbott and
Frank Robertson
