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Best 4th Of July Parties In Sacramento

July 4th celebrations take place all over the Sacramento area in different forms. Of course, fireworks are the highlight of the night but there are parties and events all over town. From barbecues to parades, our locals bring out the red, white and blue with style. Here are some festive events taking place in and around the Sacramento area.

4th of July Activities
Rancho Cordova 4th Of July Celebration
Hagan Park
2197 Chase Driver
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 851-8818
www.enutshells.net
Date: July 3-4, 2013This is a tremendous community event. Festivities begin on July 3rd with a carnival which goes through July 4th. Beer gardens will be pouring suds for the adults and food will be available almost everywhere. On July 4th at 10 a.m., there will be a parade and a fireworks shows will be put on both the 3rd and 4th of July at 9:45 p.m. The band Starship featuring Mickey Thomas will perform at 8:15 p.m. on the 3rd. On July 4th, Superlicious, an '80s cover flashback band, will play at 8:15 p.m. for the crowd before the fireworks finale at 9:45 p.m.

Related: Best Pulled Pork In Sacramento

4th of july events
(credit: Thinkstock)

Swabbies On The River
5871 Garden Highway
Sacramento, CA 95837
(916) 920-8088
www.swabbies.com
Date: July 4, 2013

If you enjoy being on the river, then Swabbies should be a scheduled stop on your July 4th itinerary. Enjoy live music performed by the band 4 Barrel with no cover charge. Bacardi-themed drink specials will be running from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Bud Light beer specials from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the food and drink, prizes will be up for grabs as well. If you plan on stopping by, try getting outdoor seating by the water if it's available.

Fireworks
Photo Credit: ThinkStock

Carmichael Parade And Fireworks Display!
Carmichael Park and La Sierra Community Center
5325 Engle Road
Carmichael CA, 95608
(916) 485-5322
www.carmichaelpark.com
Date: July 4, 2013

This celebration is a family-oriented tradition in Carmichael. One of the area's biggest and oldest parades takes place during this July 4th event beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Marconi and Fair Oaks Boulevard. Beginning at 7 p.m. at the La Sierra Community Center, the rest of the evening's festivities commence. Food and music are part of the event and $5 gets children unlimited access to the kids' areas where activities include inflatables and a puppet show. Fireworks begin once it gets dark enough at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks American Flag
Sacramento Independence Day Celebration At Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-3000
www.calexpo.com

Date: July 4, 2013Cal Expo puts on the largest fireworks display in Sacramento every year. Admission is free but there is a $10 fee for parking. Doors will be opening at 6 p.m. at the Miller Lite Grand Stand and the fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., usually lasting roughly half an hour. Food and beverages are available for purchase beginning at 6 p.m. The stands tend to fill up so arriving early to secure a spot is recommended. Cal Expo has a great reputation for flawlessly running this event year after year and is always fun for all ages.

Fourth of July Family Picnic
Photo Credit: ThinkStock

Salute To The Red, White And Blue
Elk Grove Regional Park
9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road
Elk Grove, CA 95829
(916) 691-2489
www.elkgrovecity.org

Date: July 4

This is an alcohol-free event. Guests can listen to a concert in the park and lounge out to a picnic on the grass. Admission is free but parking for the event does cost $10. Pets are not allowed to partake in this particular celebration so be sure to leave them at home. Food and soft drinks will be available throughout the day. As with most of the other fireworks shows, this one starts at 9:30 p.m. The Salute To The Red, White And Blue tends to be an all-day event so plan appropriately with sunscreen, blankets, etc.

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As a hospitality professional Andy Soto has worked every facet of the industry. He currently leads the team at Spectrum Restaurant Consulting. He started writing a hospitality blog in 2009 and restaurant writing for Sacramento Press in 2010. In 2011 Andy became a Sacramento Restaurant Examiner for Examiner.com. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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