Fourth of July the Highest Point of Sonoma's Summer Fun

Given that Sonoma is the birthplace of the state of California – if you have any issues with that, take it up with the Native Sons of the Golden West – it’s only appropriate that one of the best traditions we have here is Sonoma’s Fourth of July Parade.

It’s sort of like a small town parade on steroids, with an hour of local talent, queens and princesses, horses and antique cars, marching bands and unicyclists. 

There is a "water section" at the corner of 1st Street East and Spain Street for those who wish to get soaked by the fire truck at the end of the parade as no entries are allowed to have water balloons or to spray the crowd. Might not be a bad idea: temperatures are projected to be well into the high nineties.

Though the parade officially beings at 10 a.m. – running down 1st St. East, around the plaza on Napa Street and back up 1st St. West – the celebration is an all-day event, filling the Plaza until 5 p.m.

Predominant colors are red, white, and blue, of course, but since two of those are the primary colors of wine, Sonoma’s take on the patriotic is slightly fermented. Which means there will be special wine-tasting events at the area tasting rooms, including celebrating the first anniversary of Envolve, craft beers and other beverages.

Beer and wine for sale at the Plaza party includes Lagunitas Brewing Company, Budweiser, Lost Coast Brewing Company, Olde Sonoma Public House, Grieve Family Winery, Little Family Vineyards, Chandelle Winery, Ravenswood, and Meadowcroft. Alcohol sales begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.; all proceeds benefit the Sonoma Community Center.

A variety of American fare will be for sale including hot dogs by the Rotary of Sonoma Valley; snow cones by Sonoma Music Works; pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers and drinks from St Andrews Presbyterian Church; Lovin' Oven baked goods and Starbucks coffee from Sonoma Valley Teen Services; nacho boats and root beer floats by Sonoma Girl Scouts; gazpacho and sandwiches by Pets Lifeline; cotton candy and gourmet coffee drinks by the Native Sons of the Golden West and tri-tip sandwiches by the Sonoma Volunteer Fire Association.

All that good food and drink sets the stage for the music and other events, starting at noon, including a “Patriotic Ceremony” following the parade, features The Hometown band; Civil Air Patrol, Squadron 157 with Cynthia Tarr singing the National Anthem. Mayor Ken Brown and Superintendent Susan Gorin will be on hand, of course, but they promise not to sing.

Other scheduled music as follows:

·  1:00pm on the lawn -- The Cork Pullers

·  1:45pm, Grinstead Amphitheater -- Hula Mai

·  2:30pm, Grinstead Amphitheater -- El Sisterna Youth Orchestra

·  3:00pm on the lawn -- The Pine Needles

It’s all sponsored once again by the Sonoma Community Center, 60 years old, enriching the lives of the people of Sonoma Valley by fostering a broad range of cultural, educational and community services.