Top Ten lists are all the rage these days, thanks in part to David Letterman. Ten is the perfect number for lists because it's not too long and not too short. It's just right! Just like Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, when Goldie Locks found three bowls of porridge the bears had left on the table to cool. One was too cold, one was too hot, but the third was just right, so she ate that one all up. But let's get real. If these had been Tahoe bears they would've immediately sucked down all 3 bowls of porridge and there wouldn't have been a Goldie Locks tale to tell, but that's another story. Let's move on from the 3 bowls to the 4th and the top 10.
North Lake Tahoe is one of the best places in the country to spend the Fourth of July, but with all the choices how do you decide what to do? I'm here to help! You could go to the big casinos in South Shore with their shows and slot machines, but why? You'd be missing that unique hometown feel of Truckee or the Olympic heritage experience of Squaw Valley. There are fireworks displays at many of the North Lake Tahoe beaches and week long celebrations with their own list of events. The Top Ten list is not in any particular order and there's something for everyone so lets get started!
#1
4th of July Events at Squaw Valley
You can stay close to home and walk from Olympic Village Inn to the festivities at Squaw Valley going on all week long. There's blues guitarist Chris Cain at this summer’s first Bluesdays,or you can dance to the nationally acclaimed Billy Joel tribute band JOEL as they kick off the first show of the KT Concert Series. Stroll through the beautiful paintings and crafts of the Fine Arts and Crafts Festival or enjoy great family events like the Soaring Kites and Music Festival at High Camp and Kung Fu Panda at Family Movie Night in The Village at Squaw Valley.
The big finale of the week will be a free concert with Brett Dennen, singer of last summer’s hit single "Comeback Kid (That’s My Dog)". The show will take place at the base of KT-22 in Squaw Valley’s breath-taking natural amphitheater.
Here's the full list of events-
Saturday, June 30 & Sunday, July 1; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Squaw Valley Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
Enjoy fine art and craft exhibitors throughout The Village at Squaw Valley. From beautiful paintings to hand-made pottery and clothing – this fair has something for everyone to enjoy. Click here for more details.
Tuesday, July 3; 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Bluesdays featuring Chris Cain
Kick off July with the summer’s first Bluesdays featuring masters of the blues guitar Chris Cain. During the day, guests can enjoy all that High Camp has to offer including great tram discounts ($10 off adult tickets, $5 off kid, youth and senior tickets). Come evening, enjoy a free concert in The Village with Chris Cain along with great deals on food and drinks from local vendors. Click here for details.
Thursday, July 5; 8:30 p.m.
Free Outdoor Movie Series featuring Kung Fu Panda
Snuggle up under the stars while enjoying Jack Black in Kung Fu Panda on the big screen in the Events Plaza at The Village at Squaw Valley. Blankets and warm clothes are recommended. Click here for details.
Friday, July 6; 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Free KT Concert Series featuring JOEL (Billy Joel cover band)
Fresh off of the national tour of Billy Joel's Tony award-winning rock musical “Movin' Out”, JOEL is bringing Billy Joel’s timeless classics and original works to Squaw Valley’s Village stage. This band is blazing hot and is sure to have all music lovers on their feet. Click here for more about JOEL.
Saturday, July 7; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Soaring Kites and Music Festival at High Camp
Squaw Valley’s 11th annual Soaring Kites and Music Festival will feature kite flying demonstrations, kids kite building seminars, and general kite mania. Watch professional kiters show off their amazing skills in the mountain breeze while enjoying great live music at High Camp. Click here for details.
Saturday, July 7; 6 p.m.
Free Brett Dennen Concert
Celebrate the weekend after the 4th of July with a free concert by Brett Dennen, singer of last year’s hit song "Comeback Kid (That’s My Dog)". Completely free and open to the public, the concert will take place at Squaw’s natural amphitheater at the KT Base Bar. Click here for more information about Brett Dennen.
#2
July 3rd Fireworks Show & Deck Party in Kings Beach, CA
Jul 3, 2012 (Tue) 6:30pm
Come to the beautiful sandy beaches of Kings Beach, CA to watch the fireworks show on the lake. This event is free and put on by the North Tahoe Business Association for thousands of smiling faces. Make it an evening by purchasing tickets to NTBA’s Deck Party to enjoy premium seating, food vendors, live music and a no host bar by calling 530-546-9000; don’t miss one of the best shows on the lake!
#3
Run To The Beach 5k and 10k
Kings Beach, CA
Wednesday July 4th, 2012
8:00 AM Start
Run To The Beach 5 and 10k starts at the North Tahoe Regional Park. From the park you have an option of participating in the 5K or 10K distance both of which finish on the "Big" beach in Kings Beach, CA.
Kings Beach is a great place to spend your July 4th weekend. Fireworks are scheduled for the evening of July 3rd!
#4
Firecracker Mile
Weds July 4th 2012
1 mile gravity fed course in downtown Truckee held just before the parade.
Truckee Fun Run is a branch of The Auburn Ski Club’s Nordic Program which organizes fun events all year round. Proceeds are used to help support The Club’s youth and junior Nordic Ski Programs.
#5
Truckee 4th of July Parade
Jul 4, 2012 (Wed) 10am
Donner Pass Road. Old-fashioned hometown parade ending up in historic downtown Truckee. This parade, complete with flag draped firetruck, has a wonderful small town feel lost in many big cities these days. New this year is a party after the parade in Downtown Truckee, in the parking lot next to the train depot, so you can "party on" after the parade is done!
530-587-2757
#6
66th Annual Indepencence Day Celebration with Fireworks in Tahoe City
Jul 4, 2012 (Wed)
This is the big one, the best display on Tahoe's North Shore. Watch from shore on Commons Beach in downtown Tahoe City or, even better, from a boat on the lake! Come early, because it can be very crouded and people are there all day staking out a spot on the beach and celebrating early.
#7
Fourth of July at West End Beach
Old fashioned 4th of July celebration with games, live music, affordable food, and spectacular fireworks show!
This is only for Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District Residents & Homeowners:
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!
*9:30 PM FIREWORKS SHOW*
#8
Tahoe Maritime Museum: Fourth of July Boat Parade
Wednesday 4th 2 pm– Fourth of July Boat Parade!
Watch from Common’s Beach or along the West Shore as members of the Tahoe Maritime Museum form a parade of wooden boats from Tahoe City back down to Obexer’s Marina in Homewood.
530-525-9253
#9
Tahoe Mountain Sports Leave No Trace Sunset Family Hike (3 miles)
Friday, July 6
Tahoe Mountain Sports, the Leave No Trace Center for Ethics and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association are teaming up for a fun and educational hike that will include interactive Leave No Trace activities, night hike games and prizes for the entire family. Tahoe Mountain Sports will also provide a variety of headlamps to demo. Bring your dinner for a sunset picnic on a ridge overlooking lovely Lake Tahoe!
#10
Van Sickle Family Friday Hike (2.2 miles)
Fridays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27
The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association are sponsoring this family friendly interpretive hike each Friday in July. Participants will enjoy interesting facts about the history, flora and fauna of Van Sickle State Park and Tahoe. This is the perfect hike for families.
There you go, something for everyone the entire July 4th week and all in the local area of North Lake Tahoe. Stay close to home and enjoy one of the best weeks of the Summer in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This is a long list of great things to do this week! Keep up to date with all that's happening at Olympic Village Inn and Olympic Valley by "Liking" our Facebook page. Have a great Independence Day and a great week!
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