PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family, featuring musical entertainment and activities in the Entrance Plaza. The fun starts at noon with a performance from WJM, the world’s youngest social cause band.
Facets II, Jerry Garcia
Published: July, 2015
4th of July Waterfront Activities & Fireworks Displays
San Francisco
PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family, featuring musical entertainment and activities in the Entrance Plaza. The fun starts at noon with a performance from WJM, the world’s youngest social cause band. Then dance into the night from 5 to 8 p.m. with Tainted Love playing all your favorites from the eighties. When the sun goes down around 9:30 p.m., stick around for the City of San Francisco’s spectacular fireworks display over the Bay! View from PIER 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Aquatic Park or aboard the SS Jeremiah O’Brien (see page 11 for more info).
North Bay
Sausalito: Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. followed by a celebration at Dunphy Park at noon with live music all day. Food, dancing, family games, tug-of-war and the famous traditional egg toss help make this an exciting event for the whole family. The celebration continues as the City of Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department hosts an evening of celebration at Gabrielson Park from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The celebration will feature live entertainment and end with a spectacular show of fireworks on San Francisco Bay at 9:20 p.m.
Marin County Fair: Fireworks every evening July 2 through July 6 at 9:30 p.m. Concerts, educational exhibits, carnival rides, arts and crafts and barnyard features. Located at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.
East Bay
Berkeley Marina: Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Live entertainment from noon to 9 p.m. along with face painting, arts and crafts, adventure playground, massages, dragon boat rowing and food from noon to 10 p.m. Located at 201 University Avenue in Berkeley.
Solano County
Vallejo Waterfront: The 162nd Annual Vallejo July 4th Parade begins at 10 a.m. travelling on its traditional route starting at Broadway and Tennessee, then turns left on Sonoma Blvd, then right on Georgia through downtown. Enjoy the day and return to the Vallejo waterfront for fireworks at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Vallejo (Six Flags): Fireworks shows from July 4 through July 6. Come for the rollercoasters, rides, animal exhibits and picnic in the park and stay for the fireworks. The park is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Located at 1001 Fairgrounds Drive in Vallejo.
Benicia: Fireworks start around 9 p.m. at the foot of First Street. A picnic in the park precedes it with arts, crafts, hot food, live entertainment, and children’s activities throughout the day from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Park on First Street and Military West in Benicia.
Fourth of July Cruises
Take a Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise with the Blue and Gold Fleet and see the San Francisco fireworks display from the Bay! A fireworks cruise departs at 8 p.m. from Pier 41, and a no-alcohol cruise for families leaves PIER 39 at 8:15 p.m. Advance tickets are $80 for adults, $60 for children ages 5 to 11. Blue and Gold also offers a family pack with two adult and two child tickets for $240. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure time. For more information and tickets, visit www.blueandgoldfleet.com.
The Art of Rock Legends
Art Works Downtown presents The Art Rock Legends, a group exhibition of celebrity musicians and their artwork to benefit DrawBridge, a Bay Area arts program for homeless children. The exhibit runs through July 24 in the main gallery of Art Works Downtown located at 1337 Fourth Street, San Rafael and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This benefit will be the largest display of original Jerry Garcia art work in the United States, provided by The Jerry Garcia Foundation, and will feature over 20 original artworks by Jerry, with many for sale. Original artwork has also been donated by Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Marty Balin, Commander Cody, Dave Getz, and more, with all of this work for sale. Top rock & roll photographers of the era will also be donating their work, including Baron Wolman, the first Chief of Photography for Rolling Stone magazine, Robert Altman, Graham Nash, Richard Pechner and Ed Perlstein. The exhibition will also include outstanding rock posters from Stanley Mouse, Pat Ryan, Arlene Owseichik, and Shane Grogg. Iconic pop artist Peter Max is proving a personalize copy of his famous Grateful Dead lithograph for the benefit. For more information, visit artworksdowntown.org.
Benicia Waterfront Festival
The popular summer event is back with a splash on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., as Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront locale with two days of live music, craft beer tastings, tasty foods and a kids’ activity area. Daily admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors with children under 12 for free with a paid adult. Adult weekend passes are also available for $15. For more information and a full listing of musical acts, visit www.beniciamainstreet.org.
The 14th Annual Breastfest Beer Festival
Northern California’s Premier Beer Tasting Event is moving to Fairground Island at the Marin Center in San Rafael on Saturday, July 18 from noon to 4 p.m. The Breastfest Beer Festival helps raise funds for the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic, a nonprofit health center that supports economically challenged women in their fight against cancer. Sample over 40 breweries, several cider houses and wineries while getting your groove on to live music. Tickets are $55 in advance at $65 at the door and can be purchased on the website www.thebreastfest.org or at Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur or Moylan’s Brewing Company in Novato. Ticket price includes live music, food, unlimited tasting and a Breastfest commemorative cup. For additional information, call (415) 461-4677.
Summer Beats Concert Series Returns to Alameda
The popular Summer Beats Concert Series will kick off Saturday, July 18 with Beatles tribute band Sun Kings. The free, family-friendly concert series showcases many of the area’s most notable performers, with musical styles ranging from surf to Sinatra. After the series’ opening event, the concerts take place every other Saturday through Labor Day weekend. All performances take place in the South Shore’s Center Court from 5 to 7 p.m. Along with outstanding musical performances, the concert series features fun activities for kids including face painting, a bounce house, raffles and much more. Local wine will be poured for adults to enjoy. For more information, visit www.alamedasouthshorecenter.com.
