Nine Great Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July in the Sacramento Region

Want to wish America a happy birthday? Join in these Fourth of July celebrations around the region and watch the sparks fly.

Cal Expo
July 4
The City of Sacramento and Sacramento County team up again for the region’s largest pyrotechnic show. Chow down on hamburgers and hot dogs and then watch as about 2,000 lbs. of fireworks go off at 9:30 p.m. FREE. ($10 FOR PARKING). 6-10 P.M. 263-3000. CALEXPO.COM

Carmichael
July 4
The early birds get a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast hosted by the Carmichael Kiwanis Club at the Carmichael Park Clubhouse. At 10:30 a.m., The Elks Club’s 54th annual patriotic parade marches on (grab a spot in the grandstand across the street from Carmichael Park for a prime view of marching bands, antique cars, equestrian groups and more). Join 15,000 other revelers at the day’s grand finale event at La Sierra Community Center, where the Carmichael Little League will be grilling up burgers and hot dogs, the kids can cool off on inflatable water slides, and the fireworks will be going off at 9:30 p.m. FREE. TIMES VARY BY EVENT. 485-5322. CARMICHAELPARK.COM

Davis
July 4
Swing for the fences at a morning softball tournament, which will be followed by a family-friendly gathering in Community Park with hot dogs, snow cones, and activities for youngsters like ring toss and fishing. Keep an eye out for skydivers who will be dropping in on the fun. The glittering finale starts at 9 p.m. FREE. 9 A.M.-9:30 P.M. 530-757-5656. CITYOFDAVIS.ORG

El Dorado Hills
July 3
This Independence Day celebration features a kids’ zone with face-painting and bounce houses; a Badge-to-Badge chili cook-off between El Dorado fire, sheriff and police departments, as well as the CHP; and all-American fare from the likes of Ruffhaus Hot Dog Co. and Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. A fireworks show sends sparks flying over the Town Center at 9:30 p.m. FREE. 6-11:30 P.M. 933-6699. ELDORADOHILLSTOWNCENTER.COM

Elk Grove
July 4
Celebrate the USA at the city’s 16th annual Salute to the Red, White and Blue. Set up camp in Elk Grove Regional Park, enjoy burgers, hot dogs, pizza, tacos and nachos and listen to the R&B cover band Innersoul before the fireworks blast off at 9:30. FREE ($10 FOR PARKING). 6 P.M.-10 P.M. 691-2489. ELKGROVECITY.ORG

Placerville
July 4
Kiddies can make their way inside a massive hay maze or compete in games. For an extra $18 (up to $15 for kids), families can check out the fast and furious car races at the Placerville Speedway, before looking up at the sky-tacular post-race fireworks show. $3; FREE FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 6 ($5 FOR PARKING). BEGINS AT 4 P.M. 530-621-5860. ELDORADOCOUNTYFAIR.ORG

Rancho Cordova
July 3 & 4
The Hagan Community Park hosts a patriotic morning parade and a carnival. A kids’ zone will include a micro steam engine, petting barns and the Bobble Lagoon (where youngsters can roll around inside a human-sized hamster ball in a pool). Refuel with barbecue, tacos, lumpia and Chinese noodles and groove to the sounds of R&B group Hip Service on July 3 and ’80s cover band Superlicious on the Fourth. Both days will feature a high-flying post-concert fireworks show. $2 ($10 FOR PARKING). 11 A.M.-11 P.M. 273-5704. RANCHOCORDOVAJULY4TH.COM

River Cats
July 3
Celebrate America with its favorite pastime. Head out to Raley Field and watch the Sacramento River Cats take on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Get there early—the first 2,500 fans get their own American flag—and feast on a pre-game barbecue of hot dogs, tri-tip and burgers. The fun goes into extra innings with a fireworks show after the game. $9.50-$59.50 FOR GAME. $36 FOR DINNER & GAME ($32 FOR KIDS 12 AND UNDER). GATES OPEN AT 5 P.M. 371-4487. RIVERCATS.COM

Roseville
July 4
At 10 a.m., a parade of floats, classic cars and high school marching bands makes its way through downtown Roseville. Then starting at 11 a.m., Royer Park offers a smorgasbord of classic Fourth of July eats like hot dogs, shaved ice and kettle corn, plus a kids’ activity area with slides, games and a bounce house, as well as entertainment provided by the Capitol Pops Concert Band. The day ends with a bang with a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show at the Placer County Fairgrounds. FREE. TIMES AND LOCATIONS VARY. 774-5200. ROSEVILLE.CA.US