- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Independence Day celebrations planned around the county
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Communities around Lake County are planning celebrations to commemorate July 4, with fireworks, parades and the annual worm races once again on the schedule.
Separate events will take place later this week in Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake and Hidden Valley Lake.
The big news this year in Clearlake is that the carnival that had been planned won't be taking place.
Ray Bridges of the Lakeshore Lions Club said the company that had been set up to provide the carnival canceled with just weeks to go before the event.
With such late notice no replacement vendor could be found. They're working to bring a carnival back to Clearlake next year, he said.
There will still be much to do that day, he said, with a parade, vendors and the International Worm Races.
Below is a community-by-community schedule of events, in date order.
Lakeport: Thursday, July 4
From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, Lakeport residents and visitors can enjoy a number of activities in and around Library Park, from music to a street fair and a variety of food and craft vendors, according to the Lakeport Main Street Association.
The Lakeport Yacht Club will host the sixth annual Cardboard and Duct Tape Regatta in Library Park between First and Third streets beginning at 11 a.m. Those who want to register on the day of the race should arrive earlier.
Age classifications in the race are 5 to 12, 13 to 18, and 19 to 100 years old. All participants must wear life jackets.
Contact Larry Wiggins at 707-263-4601 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or Ed Posada at 707-263-1871 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for applications and additional information.
The event entry form also can be found at the event's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cardboard-Duct-Tape-Regatta/127183017320613 .
Throughout the day, tickets will be sold for the boat raffle to benefit the Lakeport Main Street Association. The drawing for the grand prize winner will be held just before the fireworks display in the evening. The winner does not need to be present.
The day's signature event, a large fireworks display over Clear Lake, will take place at dusk.
For more information, call Lakeport Main Street Association at 707-263-8843 or visit www.lakeportmainstreet.com .
Clearlake Oaks: Friday, July 5
The 2013 Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks display will be presented over Widgeon Bay at dusk, Friday, July 5, according to the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.
The association's year-round fundraising efforts – capped by its famed May Catfish Derby – have for years funded scholarships, community improvements and the annual fireworks display, which has become a cherished tradition for the lakeside community.
The fireworks display is named for the late Maxine Sherman, an association member who worked hard to put on the annual event, lobbying for funding support and putting on many fundraisers. She died in 1999.
The fireworks are launched from Clearlake Oaks Beach Park beginning at dusk. The association said the best viewing area is from a boat, anchored east of Rattlesnake Island. For those without boats, the next best viewing area is from Clarks Island.
For more information, call the association at 707-998-9563, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.clearlakeoaks.org .
Clearlake: Saturday, July 6
The annual Redbud Parade in Clearlake will begin on Lakeshore Drive at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 6.
This year's theme is “Fun in the Sun.”
The parade follows Lakeshore Drive to Austin Park, where the day's festivities will be based, including the annual Show and Shine Car Show, arts and crafts and food vendors, children's activities and the International Worm Races, which begin after the parade in Austin Park.
Ray Bridges of the Lakeshore Lions Club said parade entries will be accepted up to the day of the event; those wanting to be eligible for awards should have entries in by Wednesday, July 3.
Parade entry forms are available at Clearlake Automotive, 14090 Lakeshore Drive; Bob's Vacuum Repair and Supplies, 4165 Mullen Ave.; Kevin Ness Jewelers, 14114 Lakeshore Drive; Tatonka Trading, 14240 Lakeshore Drive; and Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
For those who purchased wristbands for the now-canceled carnival, Bridges said they can go back to the business where they purchased the wristband and get a refund.
The fireworks display will take place at dusk.
For more information, call Bridges at Clearlake Automotive, 707-994-3070.
Hidden Valley Lake: Saturday, July 6
The Hidden Valley Lake Association will host its Independence Day celebration for the gated community's residents beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6.
The activities will be based at the Big Beach, 18600 Lakeridge Circle.
There will be live music all day. At Little Beach, there will be a poker run for all paddle boats, rowers and canoeists at starting at noon, followed at 1 p.m. by a casting contest.
At 2 p.m. a boat parade for all watercraft will begin; decorations are optional.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be a pre-fireworks celebration at the pool water slide, with fun for children including face painting and a jumpy house.
The fireworks display will begin at dusk, as conditions allow.
The association reported that due to changes mandated by Cal Fire based on the need to have clear access for emergency vehicles, parking will not be allowed at Big Beach on July 6, although dropoffs will be permitted.
Lakeridge Circle to be closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free parking will be offered at Fiddlers Field, and shuttle buses will be provided.
For more information, contact the Hidden Valley Lake Association at 707-987-3138 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Lakeport Speedway: Saturday, July 6
A fireworks show will follow Saturday night's racing, which takes place from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
For more information call the Lakeport Speedway, 707-279-9577, or visit www.lakeportspeedway.com .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.