With one of Tahoe's most popular and fun holidays around the corner, we are here to help you have the best and most successful 4th of July possible! First thing is first, get your shopping done before hitting Tahoe- Tahoe Safeway's will be overrun and impossible to spend less than an hour in, get your groceries and goodies on your way into Tahoe. With the remarkable winter, we had this year, the mounds of snow we got are melting and fast! We are so lucky to see Lake Tahoe at such high levels, but all this snow melt means smaller and more crowded beaches this summer. To achieve your perfect 4th of July celebration here this summer, planning is key! Plan a picnic, with enough food and drinks to last the entire day. Once you pick a spot for your family to celebrate, plan on being there for a while. If you can walk to your locations -do it! The traffic along the West Shore, Donner Lake, and highways 89 and 267 will be at an all-time high. So, if you do drive be prepared to hang out post-fireworks until the traffic dies down to drive home safely. Stay hydrated it will be hot, and use lots of sunscreens, but donât forget the Tahoe nights get nice and cool so bring a sweatshirt or blanket to cozy up and watch the fireworks with! Here is a list of the local celebrations followed by some tips for your Doggy's safe 4th of July celebration!
- Red, White, and Tahoe Blue: Red, White, and Tahoe Blue is a 4th of July festival in Incline Village and Crystal Bay on Lake Tahoe's north shore. There will be four days of events, starting on July 1st and running through July 4th. The big fireworks show will launch from barges off Incline Beach at about 9:30 p.m. on the 4th of July. (Note about access to Incline Beach: Incline Beach is private property belonging to the local homeowners' association. Access is restricted to residents and their guests between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. After 8 p.m., the public can visit the beach and watch the fireworks.)
- July 3rd Fireworks Show & Beach Party: From North Lake Tahoe's Kings Beach, just west of Incline Village on the California side, freely enjoy the fireworks show launched out over the water at 9:30 p.m. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., a Beach Party will be happening at Kings Beach and the adjacent North Tahoe Event Center. There will be food vendors, a beer/wine and mixed drink garden, free watermelon eating, sand castle building, patriotic costume contests, games, music, and live entertainment, fireworks glow toys, souvenirs, and more. Bring your own beach chairs and blankets.
- Tahoe City 4th of July Celebration: The annual Tahoe City 4th of July Celebration and fireworks show in Tahoe City will take place at Commons Beach on Lake Tahoe's west shore. There will be a street fair during the day, with a dunk tank, climbing wall, corn hole games, and more. Bring a picnic and enjoy the fireworks starting at dusk on the Fourth. It's free to attend, but donations to support this and future fireworks shows are gladly accepted.
- Truckee 4th of July Parade and Fireworks: This old-fashioned hometown 4th of July parade starts at 10 a.m. on the west end of town and marches down Donner Pass Road, ending up in historic downtown Truckee. A family and community activities day commences after the parade. Fireworks are at dusk and will be visible from many spots around the lake.
- July 1st: Squaw Valley Freedom Fest: Celebrate summer skiing and the 4th of July with a music and ski festival at Squaw Valley! There will be 3 days of live music mid-mountain, paying tribute to the 1991 concert by the Jerry Garcia Band that took place near this location. We have even more music daily at the High Camp pool & hot tub, FREE shows at KT Base Bar, and a firework show on Monday evening following the free show by Big Head Todd and the Monsters!
- July 1st: Northstar Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival: For the 11th consecutive year, The Village at Northstar comes alive with al fresco root jams and fresh brews. The whole family is invited to the festival featuring Poor Manâs Whiskey, dozens of local and regional breweries for the adults, and special activities for the kids or the young at heart. Pick up a souvenir 8oz. tasting glass and enjoying crisp pours along with food stations boasting hand-crafted, relaxed summer fare. Summer traditions are born from this event. And the hops keep flowing at the Brewmaster's Dinner on the evening of July 2, where Northstar California Executive Chef Steve Anderson artfully pairs five courses of seasonally inspired dishes with craft beers. Diners are led through a flavor journey, guided by the brewmaster, in an al fresco setting overlooking the sunset.
Here are some tips for taking care of your puppies on this noisy holiday that is a little on the stressful side for our furry friends. The Fourth of July is one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous times of the year for pets. While you and your family, friends, and neighbors are celebrating the holiday with fireworks, pets are finding these festive activities anything but celebratory. Many pet parents assume that if their pet is not afraid of thunder or other loud noises, he or she will not be bothered by fireworks. This is not necessarily true. Even pets who normally are not bothered by thunder and other loud noises are often frightened and panicked by the cumulative effects of the fireworks, the excited voices outside, and being left alone inside the house. By planning ahead and taking some common sense precautions, you can help ensure that your pet has a happy, safe, and healthy Fourth of July. Do not take your pet to fireworks displays. Do not leave your pet alone in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects and even death in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. See our previous post: Leaving Your Pet In A Parked Car Can Be A Deadly Mistake. However, if your pet is most comfortable in the car, some pet parents find that driving around with their pet in the car helps to calm their pet's. Keep your pets in your home in a comfortable and quiet area with the shades drawn. If your pet is crate trained, then their crate is a great choice. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you're attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations. If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays. If your pet seeks comfort in a bathtub, under a bed, or in another small space...let them. Do not try to lure them out. If the space is safe and it makes them feel more secure, let them be. Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners. Here's to you and your pet having a happy and safe Independence Day! (check our https://www.tripswithpets.com for more great dog traveling tips!)