4th of July @ the Berkeley Marina

The 4th of July is a great day to have a lot of fun.  The biggest party is at the Berkeley Marina from noon-10PM.  There’s all kinds of free fun!  Adventure Playground, always a favorite, is open 11am-8pm.  Get your face painted, try the giant slide, or splash in the water at the beach!

There’s live entertainment from noon until 9:30PM on the main stage including Downtown Rhythm, Lee Waterman & Jazz Caliente, The Hipwader’s Children’s Music, Tin Sandwich Harmonica Trio, The Ian Franklin Band, Foxtails Brigaide, & Steel Pans.  Tucked around the marina are Afro Cuban Rumba Drumming, Circus Art performers, and on The Buddy Club Stage in Shorebird Park you’ll find jugglers and magicians.  There’s art & crafts, yummy food, massages, free dragon boat rowing from 2-6pm, pony rides, a dunk tank, and much more including the grand fireworks off the end of the Berkeley Pier at 9:30pm.

Let’s hear it for the red, white, and blue…but keep it green, too.  The party shouldn’t leave the environment trashed.  If you can, bring your own dishes -- Frisbees double as plates!  A bandana is your cloth napkin to use at all of the international food booths.  With water stations located around the event, you can refill your own reusable bottle and keep a lot of plastic out of the landfill.  Be sure to use the recycling stations located throughout the marina for your disposables. 

Ride your bike over the Berkeley Bicycle Overpass and use the free valet parking by Richmond Spokes near Adventure Playground.  Or take AC Transit from the Downtown Berkeley BART station.  This only runs until 6:30PM, however and doesn’t come back into the marina.  To leave on AC Transit, walk out over the freeway overpass after the fireworks to University and 5th St.

Free admission.  Alcohol-free event.  Free valet bicycle parking.  No cars in or out after 7pm but lots of free parking before then. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley.  Event details at www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com 510.548.5335.