Crowds flock to Lake Tahoe beaches to watch fireworks
A pitch-black sky was the ideal backdrop as fireworks lit up the sky on Fourth of July.
Beaches were crowded with thousands of revelers throughout the South Shore enjoying a rather warm night – with temps in the 50s. Lots of families were out; with a good mix of tourists and locals. Those out and about Monday night say the crowds seemed larger than last year.
The 23-minute pyrotechnic display was one minute longer than a year ago. With the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority paying $6,000 per minute (negotiated down from $10,000 per minute), it’s an expensive show to put on.
Thousands enjoy Fourth of July fireworks on the South Shore. Photos/Howie Nave
Many small towns across the United States nixed their shows because they could not afford it.
But the fireworks displays throughout Lake Tahoe are often the reason people flock to the basin this time of year.
The South Shore also has a big display the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.
Even though personal fireworks are illegal throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin, that did not stop some people from lighting up the sky just off Regan Beach after the professionals finished their job. South Lake Tahoe police officers are investigating that incident.
— Kathryn Reed
Larger crowds? That was not what I found. I drove to Mont Blue at about 8:30 and was shocked to find an empty back parking lot. And the one just below by the parking garage was only half full. When I walked to Lakeside beach, I was once again shocked at the lack of people. Maybe with the high water level of the lake, and so, small beaches, it just looks like more people. And the crowds of past years just didn’t appear at Lakeside Beach.
As for the fireworks, it was another great display, but the music was not real good, probably due to so much country and singers I didn’t recognize. But thanks for the great show!
We enjoyed a wonderful fireworks display, evidently near Camp Richardson, right from our own backyard in the Keys! This is the third or fourth year with no driving, just this beautiful display. I wonder who is responsible for this show?
THERE WOULD BEEN MORE PEOPLE HERE IF THE FIREWORKS BEEN ON SUNDAY NIGHT, DUE TO THE FACT PEOPLE AREN’T STAYING AS LONG AND TUESDAY WAS A WORK DAY.NONE OF OUR SECOND HOME OWNERS EVEN CAME UP WITH BOATS DUE TO THE CHARGE OF CHECKING FOR WATER BUGS.FIRST YEAR WE DIDN’T HAVE ANY NEIGHBORS AND THE RENTALS WERE DARK,NO TRAFFIC BACK UPS WAS STRANGE ALSO,YOU COULD FIND A SEAT AT ANY BAR-GRILL OF YOUR CHOICE.NO QUESTION ABOUT IT ,IT WAS SLOWER.
Next year the 4th will be on a Wednesday. The Bay Area people should take a week off, and come for a vacation, much cheaper than flying somewhere ;)
I’d say it was a pretty light weekend overall; but the room totals will tell the real story. Parking was easy, and the display was better than the last couple of years. The lights over near Camp Rich are a great addition; whoever is responsible…………THANKS!
Yes, thanks to whoever is putting on the Camp Rich display :)