Independence Day a bang-up affair locally

Today

Carson City

• The RSVP fireworks show in Carson City will start about 9:15 p.m. and is best seen from Mills Park and is free. Carnival opens at noon.

• Republicans' July Fourth Celebration at 4 p.m., Riech home, 2701 Manhattan Drive. Annual fundraiser with a Yankee Doodle Hoedown; full Western dinner and hosted bar, carnival games, palm reading by "Karnac." Tickets are $45 for adults; children 11 and younger are free. Call 841-2142.

• Motor car rides from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St. A special run of the 1926 Edwards Motor Car every 30 minutes. Fares are $4 for adults; $3 for seniors (65-older), free to children 5 and younger. Call 687-6953.

Virginia City

• Annual Fourth of July Spectacular, on C Street in downtown Virginia City. Features parade at noon with Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band, veterans groups, scouting and 4-H clubs, equestrian groups and more. After the parade, many saloons have live music; train and trolley will be running; museums open; face painting; historical characters on the street; 6 p.m. David John and the Comstock Cowboys perform free at Delta Saloon parking lot, and fireworks after the concert. Call 847-4386.

Douglas County

• Fourth of July Barbecue Fundraiser, Genoa Volunteer Fire Department. This inaugural fundraiser features half a chicken, potato, coleslaw and dinner roll for $10. Beverages are also available for purchase and only 200 dinners will be sold. Event starts at noon and runs until sold out. Call 782-8696.

• Pops in the Park with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. For the 24th year, the Sierra Philharmonic League will present a free afternoon concert in Mormon Station State Park. Event runs from noon-6 p.m.

Washoe County

• "Star Spangled Sparks" takes place on Victorian Square in downtown Sparks. This eighth annual celebration is highlighted by a 20-minute state-of-the-art pyrotechnic display. Members of the Nevada Air National Guard will fly a C-130 Hercules aircraft over the event. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m.

Lake Tahoe

• South Shore's Light's on the Lake display, rated one of the top five firework shows in the country, is dedicated this year to the firefighters and emergency personnel who fought the Angora fire. Launched offshore a little after sunset, the fireworks are especially visible from the beaches from Nevada Beach State Park to Baldwin Beach. The show is choreographed to patriotic music and simulcast on radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.

• Tahoe City's celebration begins at 9:30 p.m. at Commons Beach. Prime viewing spots are from the beach, where family picnics are popular, as well as various locations throughout town along North Lake Boulevard.

• Incline Village and Crystal Bay festivities culminate with a picnic, concert and dueling fireworks display at 9 p.m., at the Village Green.

• It's an old-fashioned July Fourth celebration in Truckee with a 10 a.m. hometown parade in historical downtown, followed by an evening fireworks display at 9 p.m. at Donner Lake's West End Beach. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as beach access is limited to local residents and homeowners.

• Other fireworks displays:

Kings Beach - today

Squaw Valley - today

Tahoe City - today

West Shore Lake Tahoe - Thursday