Fun and fireworks for the Fourth of July

We're just a few days away from the biggest holiday of the summer, the Fourth of July. Northern Nevada is a great place to be for all things Fourth, including fireworks. So stock up on ice, sunscreen, bug spray. Dig out the lounge chairs and coolers. Dust off the barbecue or just head out to the many venues in the area serving up the food fun of the season. For more events go to nevadaappeal.com/calendar.

Here's a rundown of upcoming local events:

July 1

Farmers Market at Pony Express Pavilion, 3 to 7 p.m. at Mills Park. This market runs every Wednesday through September 2. Call 687-7410

July 2-5

RSVP Fourth of July Celebration at Mills Park, East William

Street, Carson City. Features carnival midway, arts and craft vendors, food,

and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. July 4. Call 687-4680.

July 2-7

Red White & TOCCATA-Tahoe Blue, a celebration of all-American composers. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at St. Patrick's Church in Incline Village; 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3 at the Boathouse in South Lake Tahoe; 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5 at Squaw Valley Chapel; 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 at First Methodist Church in Reno. Reserved seats are $25 by calling 267-1720. Tickets at the door are $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 students, and children under 12 are free with a paid adult. Visit www.toccatatahoe.com

July 4

Gold Dust Summer Concert Series, 7 p.m. Gold Dust West, 2171 Highway 50 East, Carson City. Free concert features Journey Unauthorized. Food and refreshment available. Call 885-9000.

Pops in the Park concert with Carson Chamber Singers and the Reno Philharmonic, Mormon Station State Park, Genoa. Free concert starts at 4:30 p.m. Other entertainment begins at 1 p.m. 775-781-0150

Wine Walk in downtown Carson City. Purchase a wine glass and map for $10 and enjoy wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, art galleries, gift shops, casinos and restaurants. From 1-5 p.m., sign up at Bella Fiore, Carson Nugget, Horseshoe Club or Carson Jewelry and Loan. Call 775-883-2211.

Virginia City Independence Day Celebration is all day fun for the whole family. Parade at noon, 6 p.m. concert with David Johns and the Comstock Cowboys in the Delta Saloon parking lot. Free admission. Fireworks at dusk.

3rd and Curry Street Farmers Market. 9 a..m. to 1 p.m Saturdays through Oct. 3 in downtown Carson City. A local growers' market, featuring fresh produce from Nevada Certified Farmers Market growers. The market also offers a variety of fresh baked breads and pastries, cheeses, jams and honeys, house and garden plants, arts and crafts. Unique food vendors also are a part of the Market, offering prepared foods and beverages.

Reno Aces with fireworks. The AAA baseball team plays the Sacramento Rivercats, with Fourth of July fireworks following the game. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. Price: $7 general, $9 right field reserved, $12 outfield reserved, $15 infield reserved, $23 infield premium, $6 children age 12 and younger, seniors age 62 and older and military. Call 334-4700.

Star Spangled Sparks: Fourth of July in Sparks offers the annual milk carton boat regatta, a kite flying contest, food, drinks, arts and crafts, entertainment and more at the Sparks Marina, followed by fireworks set off from John Ascuaga's Nugget at 9:45 p.m.

South Lake Tahoe fireworks: The American Pyrotechnics Association rates South Shore's spectacular Fourth of July fireworks celebration one of the Top 5 displays in the nation. The show is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:45 p.m.

July 4-5

Ride the steam train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seniors 65 up $4, adults $5, children 6-11 $3, 5 and under free. Call the museum to find out about the "your hand is on the throttle" program. Operate a steam locomotive for an hour. Call 687-6953.

July 8

Farmers Market at Pony Express Pavilion, 3 to 7 p.m. at Mills Park. This market runs every Wednesday through September 2. Call 687-7410

July 11

Nevada Comstock railroad memorabilia show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Virginia City Middle School Gym, 127 S. D St., Virginia City. Entry: $5, children under 12 free. Early entry: $20, includes Friday, July 10 noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 11 7 to 9 a.m. Vendors from six Western states selling railroad memorabilia: Locks, lanterns, keys, badges, china, silverware, linen, passes, timetables, brochures, signs, baggage tags, express and telegram related, and Details: Mike & Wendy Munson, 775-246-8434, ttcrrc@charter.net.

July 11-12

Ride the motor car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults, $4, Seniors 65 and up $3, children 6-11 $2. 5 and under free. Call the museum to find out about the "your hand is on the throttle" program. Operate a steam locomotive for an hour. 687-6953.