Parades and fireworks planned for Fourth

There are few constants when it comes to parades in Virginia City. About the only things that stay the same are that they almost never start on time, and the voice behind the microphone likely belongs to Bobby Kittle.

Four the last four years, Kittle has been involved with six or seven parades a year, all put on in Virginia City.

"For the more light-hearted parades, I will stand on the road and talk to the people in the parade. Like a man on the street," Kittle said. "All our parades are supposed to start an noon, and none of them ever has."

Kittle, a 21-year-resident of Virginia City, said he looks forward to the Independence Day parade because of its magnitude.

"It's the biggest one we have. It will go an hour and 45 minutes at least. Plus, we love this parade. Virginia City is a town of patriots. They are big on America," Kittle said.

Kittle said he got started as an announcer after he was asked by parade organizers in 2003.

"They wanted someone who was not afraid of the mic and someone who could ad lib," Kittle said. "At some point during the parade, there's a good chance something will be wrong with the notes."

He said the first time he did a parade, all of the notes were incorrect. After a half-hour of struggling with them, he gave up and worked on the fly.

"I threw the notes away and called it as I saw it," Kittle said.

In addition to serving as the voice of Virginia City's parades, Kittle is also a professional entertainer and bartender and owns his own handyman business.

The Fourth of July events in Virginia City begin with the parade, scheduled to start at noon, traveling down C Street. Following the parade, there will be a Second Amendment Celebration Concert featuring the Comstock Cowboys at 5 p.m. with opening act Bobby Kittle and the Chix C Dicks at 2 p.m. in the Delta Parking Lot. The fireworks display will commence Immediately following the Comstock Cowboys' performance.

other Independence Day events in the area

Carson City:

• RSVP July Fourth Celebration Carnival at Mills Park. Features a carnival with rides, midway, crafts and food and entertainment. Hours noon-midnight. Fireworks at dusk. Call 687-4680.

• Carson City Republican Central Committee's free Fourth of July Picnic, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fuji Park on Clear Creek Road. Call Terresa Monroe at 884-9779.

• "Iron Horse Days: An Extravaganza of Fire, Steam & Old Iron," Nevada State Railroad museum, 2180 S. Carson St., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Tuesday.

Passenger train rides from noon-5 p.m.; Wandering Wheels motorcycle club, DARE program and Nevada Highway Patrol crash dummies.

Genoa:

• 23rd annual Pops in the Park on Sunday at the Orchard House. Participants can bring their own picnic lunch or purchase one from the Genoa Country Store. The Philharmonic League will be selling wine, beer and water, as well as several souvenirs. There will be a silent auction and a petting zoo.

Reno/Sparks:

• Reno: A celebration with music and games will carry on at Rancho San Rafael Park until a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show.

• Sparks: There will be games and music in the Sparks Marina until 5 p.m. and then in Victorian Square at 5 p.m. Fireworks are at 9:45 p.m.

Lake Tahoe

• Kings Beach: fireworks display Monday at 9 p.m. Best viewing location for the 30-minute show is the beach at Kings Beach State Recreation Area.

• Incline Village fireworks: Tuesday at dusk. Vantage points are from the beach at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe (for guests only) or those dining at the Lone Eagle Grill (reservations recommended).

• Tahoe City fireworks: 9:30 p.m. Friday off a barge just off of Common's Beach in Tahoe City. Call (530) 318-2861 or e-mail elizransom@earthlink.net.