The Fourth of July

WHILE FIREWORKS displays are a surefire sign it's Independence Day, the long, hot holiday is also marked by cook-offs, concerts and cultural celebrations (and who knows, maybe a few antiwar protests). Here are some Fourth of July events happening around the Bay Area.

Bonfante Fourth of July Celebration BBQ
This annual all-you-can-eat barbecue includes potato salad, hot dogs, chicken and more. Jul 2, 12:30-1:30pm; call for prices. Bonfante Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy. 408.840.7100.
Day on the Meadow A warm-up for the America Festival featuring Violent Femmes, Dresden Dolls, the Lovemakers and Smashup Derby. Jul 2, call for times and prices. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos at Woz Way, downtown San Jose. 408.294.2100, ext 444.
Festival of Patriots Annual parade and festival includes live music, a barbecue, games and more. Sat, Jul 1; free. Seaside. 831.899.6805.
Morgan Hill Celebration Events for every type, including the Patriotic Sing Festival and Street Dance and a 5K run Monday and a parade, family festival and fireworks on Tuesday. Jul 3, 6-10:30pm; Jul 4, 8am-10pm; free. Various locations, downtown Morgan Hill. 408.779.3387.
Paramount's Great America Fireworks The sky show is free with admission. Jul 1-3. 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. 408.988.1776.
Roaring Camp Fourth Four days to celebrate the holiday, with a different theme each day. Jul 1-4. Roaring Camp, Graham Hill and Mt. Hermon roads, Felton. 831.335.4484.
Stanford July 3 Celebration Swing and bop to the sounds of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Stanford Lively Arts' annual pre-Independence Day celebration, followed by a fireworks spectacular. Jul 3, 7:30pm; $19-$38 lawn seating, $125 and up group table seating. Frost Amphitheater, Stanford University, Palo Alto. 650.725.ARTS.
Tahiti Fete Cultural programs devoted to Tahitian and Polynesian dance and culture. Jul 2-4; $20-$65. San Jose State University Event Center, Seventh and San Carlos streets, San Jose. 808.935.3002.
The Festival for Independence Celebrate the diverse cultures that make up San Jose through live music, entertainment and activities—not to mention fireworks. Produced as a benefit for the Emergency Housing Consortium. Jul 4, call for times; free. Discovery Meadow, San Carlos Street and Woz Way, San Jose. 408.294.2100, ext 444.
Ardenwood Independence Day Featuring patriotic music, games, races, egg toss and a steam engine, emulating a traditional Independence Day in the early 1900s. Jul 4, 10am-4pm; $5-$8. Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont. 510.796.0663.
Cupertino Fourth of July The city hosts a day of events, including a pancake breakfast and parade, and ends the day with a bang, setting off a fireworks display. Jul 4, all day; call for times and prices. Various locations, Cupertino. 408.777.3110.
Los Gatos July 4 Entertainment, music, food and games throughout the day. Jul 4, all day; free. 110 E. Main St, Los Gatos. 408.354.9300. www.losgatosca.gov. Also the San Jose Wind Symphony performs "Fantastic Fourth" at 1:30pm on the Los Gatos High School lawn. 408.927.7597.
Monterey 4th of July Celebration A flag-raising ceremony, parade, barbecue picnic and fireworks display over Monterey Bay. Jul 4, 10am-5pm; 9:15pm fireworks; free. Colton Hall, Pacific Street between Madison and Jefferson streets, downtown Monterey. 831.646.3866.
Palo Alto Chili Cook-Off and Summer Festival Spice up the Fourth with Red Beans and Rice, food vendors, a petting zoo, fun activities for the kids and, of course, a heated chili competition. Jul 4, noon-5pm; free. Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto. 650.463.4921.
Pier 39 Fourth of July Double Funk Crunch and Tainted Love perform during the afternoon and evening, followed by an extravagant fireworks display. Jul 4, 1:30-10pm; free. Pier 39, San Francisco.
Red, White & Blues Festival Featuring Cleveland Jones and the Temptation Review and others, including local Bay Area blues acts. Jul 4, 1-6pm; free with fair admission. Alameda County Fair, 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton. 510.836.2227.
Redwood City Independence Day Parade and Celebration This annual celebration includes the largest Independence Day parade in North America, a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts booths, entertainment and fireworks. Jul 4, 10am-10pm; free. Brewster and Willow streets, Redwood City. 650.599.3428.
Santa Clara All-City Picnic and Fireworks Family-friendly events such as a petting zoo and carnival games, plus a pancake breakfast, a picnic and live entertainment. A fireworks display ends the day at 9:30pm. Jul 4, 8am-5pm; free. Central Park, 909 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara. 408.615.3140.
Saratoga Independence Day Observation Participate in a community all-sing and watch the annual parade. Jul 4, 10am-noon; free. Azule City Park, 12777 Goleta Ave, Saratoga. 408.252.7447.
Scotts Valley Fourth Live music, kids' events, food booths and fireworks. Jul 4, all day. Scotts Valley Community Center and Skypark, 361 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.3251.
Shoreline Fourth of July Spectacular Radio Disney presents the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Randall Craig Fleischer. Jul 4, 5pm doors, 8pm show; $15 children, $23.50-$29.50 general. Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View. 408.998.TIXS.
Spirit of America Church on the Hill hosts fun and games for the family, including rockclimbing and face painting, concluding with a fireworks display. Jul 4, 5-10pm; free. Church on the Hill, 500 Sands Dr, San Jose. 408.265.9000.
Spirit of Watsonville With a pancake breakfast and parade. Jul 4, 8am-5pm; free. Downtown Watsonville. 831.728.6183.
U.S.S. Hornet Independence Day Climb aboard the historic aircraft carrier for a day of live music, food and family activities. Jul 4, 10am; $5-$20, under 5 free. U.S.S. Hornet Museum, Pier 3, 707 W. Hornet Ave, Alameda. 510.521.8448.
Wilder Ranch Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration Celebrate Independence Day as it was way back in 1906. Includes a noon parade, games, children's crafts, music and living history demonstrations. Jul 4, 11am-4pm; $6 day-use parking fee. Wilder Ranch, off Highway One, north of Santa Cruz. 831.426.0505.
World's Shortest Parade—Aptos Just about everyone in town shows up to display their patriotism, send a political message or poke fun at life in general at this congenial small-town event. Jul 4, 10am; free. Soquel and State Park drives, Aptos. 831.688.1467.

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