4th of July in Reno and Sparks

4th of July is always a big holiday in Reno, and in 2008, it falls on a 3-day weekend, making it even more of a big event. You can find fireworks and outdoor celebrations all around Northern Nevada, here are the major celebrations and where they'll take place.

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Virginia City

Up on the Comstock you can enjoy the Fourth of July Spectacular, which includes a parade and free concert (parade begins at Noon at the Fourth Ward School). David John and the Comstock Cowboys perform at the Delta Saloon parking lot at 6 p.m. followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m., and it's all free.

Sparks

One of the biggest celebrations is Star Spangled Sparks. The celebration begins at the Spark Marina Park, and then moves to Victorian Square for fireworks over the Nugget. The fun starts throughout the day at the Marina, with the annual milk carton boat regatta, a kite flying contest, food, drinks, arts and crafts, fun run, entertainment and more. Bring a picnic lunch, and spend the day in a true old-fashioned 4th of July family get together.

In the evening, head on over to Victorian Square. They'll be entertainment, and the fireworks kick off at 9:30 p.m. For details, you can call 800-843-2427 for the Victorian Square events and (775) 358-1976 for the Sparks Marina activities.

Reno

For the first time in quite a while, the City of Reno is hosting a 4th of July Parade! The parade will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. along Virginia Street. It begins at Court Street and ends at 5th Street, and best of all, it's free! You can find out more, or get a registration form to participate in the parade by calling 775-334-2414.

For fireworks in Reno, head out to Rancho San Rafael. The park is big enough to hold quite a few celebrants, but it's still good to get there early to stake out your space. Views from hillsides surrounding the park make some nice alternatives to the crowds inside the park. Fireworks start at around 9:30 p.m.

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For a little culture on your Independence Day, the MasterWorks Chorale performs ina concert, patriotic tunes like, "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" and "The Patriot Hymn" from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Sunday at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno. The concert is free.

Carson City

Celebrate the 4th for the entire weekend at Mills Park. You can enjoy carnival rides and games; arts, crafts, and food and drink vendors, or bring your own picnic. The fireworks are free on the 4th, and they start at around 9:15 p.m. To find out more details call 775-687-4680.

Lake Tahoe

Tahoe City Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration

Tahoe City celebrates the 4th at Commons Beach, located in downtown Tahoe City. It's a good idea to get there early to find a spot on the beach. Take a picnic, enjoy the beautiful view, and get ready for the fireworks that start at 9:30 p.m.

Truckee (Donner Lake) Fireworks

This is another great spot to enjoy the fireworks, the reflections in Donner Lake can be quite beautiful. Again, it's a good idea to get to the lake early, so you're sure to have a spot on the beach. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

South Shore, Lights on the Lake

This is a must if you love big fireworks extravaganzas. South Lake presents the largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi River. There are several great viewing spots along the lake in South Lake Tahoe, and many of the hotels right on the lake make good vantage points, too. A lot of the locals like to take their boats out on the lake for a view of the fireworks from the water, so watch out, it can get congested out there when the fireworks end. The South Lake Tahoe fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.

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