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Where to watch the fireworks

by Brittany Hersh

Although many cities across the country have cancelled Fourth of July fireworks displays this year because of budget woes, the festive celebrations in the sky are very much alive in the Bay Area, including here in the Tri-Valley.

In a pre-Fourth display, the Alameda County Fair will set off an array of dazzling fireworks starting at dusk tonight at the racetrack. The best seats are in the fairgrounds grandstands but each year hundreds enjoy the show from outside the fair fence on Rose Avenue and from the higher elevations on Bernal Avenue and Vintage Hills.

Other fireworks displays are planned in:

Livermore

The 27th annual 4th of July Celebration at Robertson Park will be from 3-10 p.m. The cost is $5 per walk-in over age 10 and $20 per car. The festival features live music, carnival area, petting zoo, pony rides and a hat making booth. The fireworks show starts at 9:35 p.m. and the pedestrian gate closes at 9:15 p.m.

San Ramon

The city's Red, White and Blue Picnic and Fireworks event will be from 1-10 p.m. at San Ramon Central Park. There will be a kid's area with rides, games and inflatable features and a DJ from KKIQ 101.7. Parking is $10 per car and the fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m.  

Berkeley

The Berkeley Marina will feature live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, free sailboat rides, and a kid's area from noon-10 p.m. on the 4th of July. At 9:30 p.m. the fireworks show starts at the end of the Berkeley Pier.

San Francisco

PIER 39 will be full of activity from 3-9:30 p.m. this 4th of July with street performers and live music. The City of San Francisco's fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m. over the Bay.

USS Hornet

The USS Hornet is throwing a 4th of July celebration complete with live music, games, ship tours and fireworks from 1-9 p.m. The cost is $10 for youth ages 5-17, $20 for adults ($25 at the door) and free for museum members. Parking is free and the fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.