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Explosions in the sky: Fourth of July fireworks at Lake Tahoe and Truckee

Adam Jensen
ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com
Fireworks over Lake Tahoe are seen from the middle of Gunbarrel at Heavenly Mountain Resort.
Tahoe Daily Tribune file photo |

Fourth of July is the biggest day of the year at Lake Tahoe, and for good reason. Lake Tahoe and Truckee host some of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations around. Many of the festivities are capped by displays of fireworks that leave audiences awe-struck and grinning. The fireworks shows begin July 3 at Kings Beach, with the bulk of the shows taking place on the holiday itself. Here’s some options for fireworks displays as your celebrating a long weekend at Lake Tahoe.

Kings Beach



Kings Beach gets an early start on Independence Day with a beach party and fireworks display July 3.

The party runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Kings Beach State Recreation Area. The party includes plenty of free activities, while also serving as a fundraiser for the long-running fireworks show.



“The event is open to all ages and will feature preferred seating, food vendors, a beer/wine and mixed drink garden, free watermelon eating, sand castle building and patriotic costume contests, free games, music, live entertainment, glow toys, souvenirs, all capped off by a dazzling fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.,” according to a press release from the North Tahoe Business Association.

Admission to the event is free. People are encouraged to walk, bike or use public transportation to get to North Tahoe Event Center and Kings Beach State Recreation for the party and approximately 15-minute fireworks display.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit http://www.northtahoebusiness.org or call 530-546-9000.

Donner Lake and Truckee

The Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District will host at Fourth of July Celebration including fireworks at West End Beach at Donner Lake, near Truckee.

The celebration itself is restricted to residents and homeowners of the district, but the fireworks will be visible around the lake. The display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. July 4.

“If you are not a resident in our district and unable to attend the beach festivities, you can still enjoy a fun day at Donner Lake on the docks, swimming, boating, fishing, and you can enjoy the fireworks from almost any location on or around the lake,” according to a flier for the event.

Just down the road, Truckee will also host its annual Fourth of July Parade during the day. The Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band, Truckee River Drill Team and Olympians Julia Mancuso, Travis Ganong and Tamara McKinney will all take part in the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. at the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District parking lot and travels through downtown Truckee.

For more information on the parade, visit http://www.truckeechamber.com.

Incline Village

Incline Village brings back its fireworks for a seventh year as part of a host of Red, White and Tahoe Blue activities. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.

“The sky will light up with our biggest and brightest fireworks display yet thanks to your donations, sponsorships, community pride and volunteerism. Because of your support we were able to purchase our own barges for our community and this years show will be the first show on them,” according to a description from organizers Red, White and Tahoe Blue.

Although the fireworks will be visible from throughout the Incline area, Incline Village’s beaches are private and only accessible to those with IVGID beach privileges and their guests. People without beach access may also purchase tickets to a Reno Philharmonic concert going on during the fireworks and watch the spectacle during the show from the Village Green.

Adult tickets for the performance are available for $40 in advance and $55 on the day of the event.

For more information visit http://www.redwhitetahoeblue.org.

South Shore

Lights on the Lake, the largest of the fireworks shows at Lake Tahoe on the Fourth of July, takes place just off the South Shore and is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. July 4.

Nevada Beach, Timber Cover Marina, Bijou Community Park, the Tallac Historic Site, Edgewood-Tahoe Golf Course and Lakeview Commons are all among the spots reccomended for watching the fireworks y Tahoe South.

“Recognized by NBC’s Today Show as one of the country’s top Fourth of July weekend celebrations, Lights on the Lake Fireworks Show is a ritual that packs the shoreline with spectators. The best viewing spots are South Shore’s sandy beaches and aboard boats including the M.S. Dixie II and Tahoe Queen paddlewheelers or private vessels,” according to a description on http://tahoesouth.com. “The display features simultaneous music set to skyrockets on local radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.”

For more information visit http://tahoesouth.com.

Tahoe City

Tahoe City will host a full day of activities leading up to fireworks display on Lake Tahoe at 9:30 p.m.

“From the Boatworks Mall to the Cobblestone Center to Gatekeeper¹s Museum and all points in between, Tahoe City offers visitors and residents a summer day like no other,” according to teh Tahoe City Downtown Association. “Tahoe City’s July Fourth Fun Zone, located in Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Co.’s parking lot at 315 North Lake Boulevard, will included a dunk tank, bean bag toss, putting green and additional games. Penney the Clown will be on site, face painting and there will be live music performed by Kip Yager from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Join us in one of the most beautiful places on earth — Tahoe City — to celebrate Independence Day,” said Stacie Lyans, Tahoe City Downtown Association’s executive director, in a statement. “Enjoy convenient lake access, fabulous restaurants, great shops as well as hiking, paddling, cycling and all of the fun activities planned for the afternoon leading up to fireworks at dusk on Friday, July 4.”

For more information on the Tahoe City fireworks visit http://www.visittahoecity.org.


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