North Shore gearing up for long July 4 weekend

North Lake Tahoe plays host to a number of Independence events and celebrations beginnng July 2.

“The Fourth of July holiday traditionally brings thousands of visitors to North Lake Tahoe,” Bill Hoffman, executive director of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitor Bureau, said in a statement. “And this year is proving to be no different. Our drive market, especially the Bay Area, Sacramento and Northern Nevada, already has reservations on the books, many taking a few extra vacation days to enjoy all the lake has to offer.”

Incline Village pulls out all the stops with a multi-day celebration, scheduled for July 2 through July 4, called Red, White and Tahoe Blue. Special events include a 4th of July concert, flag raising, special lunch for veterans, patriotic chalk drawing contest and ice cream social for children, parade, dress-up-doggie contest, opening ceremonies and rubber ducky race. The festivities culminate with the Fourth of July Fireworks at 9:30pm.

Fireworks get under way at Kings Beach July 3. The show starts at 9:30pm and can be best seen from the Kings Beach State Recreation Area. There’s also a Viewing Party at the North Tahoe Event Center, starting at 6:30pm on the water in Kings Beach. For $10 attendees get entry to front row fireworks, live music and dancing, along with a no host bar and food available for purchase throughout the evening.

The Village at Squaw Valley hosts new releases and summer classics as part of its Summer Movie Series July 1 at dusk. Flicks are shown in the plaza on the big screen under the stars. The Squaw Valley 4th of July Fine Arts and Crafts Festival is July 2-4, while the resort’s popular Mountaintop Stargazing is July 2-3. There is also a Family Disco Skate Party scheduled for July 2 at the High Camp Ice Pavilion.

The holiday weekend also starts on July 1 at the Village at Northstar in Truckee with a Family Golf Clinic at 4pm, followed by the annual Outdoor Movie Night (every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night through Aug. 28), with the “Bee Movie”, “Little Giants” and “Earth” running over the July 4 holiday weekend. The resort is also hosting Kid’s Adventure Day Camps, giving parents some solo time, with interactive learning experiences that involve nature hikes, games and activities.

Tahoe City’s 64th annual fireworks celebration begins at 9:30pm at Commons Beach July 4. Prime viewing spots are from the beach, where family picnics are popular, as well as various locations throughout town along North Lake Boulevard.

On the West Shore just outside of Tahoe City, Granlibakken Lodge has got a Western barbecue July 4. Guests here get a special rate when they stay two nights with the third night free and can walk or ride bikes to the Tahoe City fireworks.

It’s an old-fashioned July Fourth Holiday Celebration in Truckee July 4 with a morning Truckee Firecracker Mile fun run and walk for all ages followed by a 10am hometown parade in historical downtown along Commercial Row.