Parade, food trucks and fireworks highlight South Lake Tahoe 4th of July

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is more to do in South Lake Tahoe on the 4th of July than watch one of the top fireworks shows in the west.

To start off the holiday, the City of South Lake Tahoe is organizing the annual 4th of July parade down Highway 50 from Ski Run Boulevard to Bijou Community Park on Al Tahoe Boulevard starting at 10:00 a.m.

Featured in the parade will be live music, dancers, a 20-foot-tall eagle balloon, lots of classic cars carrying veterans and dignitaries, floats and more. There will be a grandstand at Champions Plaza on Lakeview Avenue with News 4 Morning Meteorologist Steve Bender as the emcee. (parade lineup at the end of the story)

“We’ll have bleachers at Champions Plaza for people who want to get the best view of the parade, but those seats are first come, first serve,” said Chris Fiore, Communications Manager for the City, “If you want the best seats, you’re going to need to get out there early.

For the best viewing, line the westbound lanes as traffic will still be passing on the eastbound ones (though you can still see the parade from that side).

“Ski Run from Tamarack to US 50 will be closed starting at 8:00 a.m. until about 11:00 a.m. and there will be rolling closures as the parade moves through town,” said Ray Jarvis, Public Works Director. “We are asking people to use Pioneer Trail to get around that morning and to please be patient as they move through that area immediately following the parade."

Also, new this year, a Food Truck Park will end the parade at Bijou Park. Food vendors of all kinds will be there serving up delicious dishes to everyone who stops by. Parade goers planning to attend the food truck park should park in the lots at LTCC and then walk over to Bijou.

Participating food trucks: Chicken in a Barrel, Country Girl Lemonade & Kettlecorn,
El Rapido Grill, Chinese Flavors, World Fare and Tahoe Pops.

“The best part, every food truck will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Tahoe Chapter of the American Legion,” added Fiore.

To close out the day, what the American Pyrotechnics Association rates as one of the top five fireworks displays in the nation. The show is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks are set off over the lake near Edgewood Tahoe but they can be seen from many locations through the South Shore. Beach space will be limited due to the high lake level. There are parties with viewing spots at Hard Rock, Harveys, Edgewood and Tahoe Beach Retreat. Areas with space on the shore that fill up fast include Regan Beach, Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach and Nevada Beach. A bit further from the action but a nice place to watch from include Kiva Beach and Valhalla, Baldwin Beach, and Pope Beach. The state beaches charge more on the fourth, so be aware.

Tune your radio to KRLT-FM 93.9 or KOWL-AM 1490 for a synchronized music broadcast of the fireworks that will get your patriotic emotions flowing.

Wherever you chose to watch from, plan ahead, know there will be crowds, and enjoy!

The 84 entries in the parade (in order):

Police Honor Guard/Lake Valley Fire
Hockey Team carrying 6 military flags
Marcia Sarosik
Orly Larson (Navy)
Mike Herron (Army)
Curt Emrie (Navy)
Gary Norton (Army)
Larry Reid (Army/Air Force) - Phil Graber (AF)
Bill Malloy (Army)
Karl Johnson (Naval Air)
Scott Adessa (Navy)
Pete Roybal (Army)
LTCC Vets
Patty Smith (Gold Star Families)
Jason Collin
Tami Wallace
David Olivo
City of SLT Float - Eagle
Jr. Giants
SWAT Black/Green Rescue Vehicle
SLT Fire Department
Lake Tahoe Ambulance
County Supervisor Sue Novasel
Lake Valley Fire District
County Sheriff - Search & Rescue
Miss El Dorado County
Miss El Dorado County
Miss El Dorado County
Sessions Salon - 1953 Mercury Monterey
Eric Bickert - 1964 Mercury, Woody Surf Wagon
Bruce Benham - 942 Green Ford Cab over engine
John Waldschmiat - 1924 Ford T-Bucket (maroon)
Ross Groelz - 1934 Coupe w/Rumble Seat
Ryan Groelz - 1956 Blue Ford Pickup
Kevin Cassidy & Family - 1962 Red/Wt Corvette
Robert & John Cristanza - Corvette Convertible
Daughters of the American Revolution
South Tahoe Refuse and Recycling - 1949 GMC Garbage
US Forest Service - Engine w/Smokey Bear & Patrol Truck
Cash Only Bank on Welcomes Flatbed
Pride
Corvette Club-Ernie Bornstein - 1959 Black/Silver Convertible
Corvette Club-Melissa Bornstein - Green Corvette Convertible
Corvette Club-Bruce/Cindy Kingsland - 1961 Red Convertible
Corvette Club-Mark/Toni Koffman - 1993 Maroon Coupe
Corvette Club-Jack/Barbara Coe - 1968 Red Tee Top
Corvette Club-Dave Goldstein and kids- - 1980 Black Tee Top Corvette
Corvette Club-Justin Zunino Family - 2003 Red Corvette (50th Anniversary)
Corvette Club
Hi Lo's 4 WD Club 6 jeeps
STPUD 1 10 X Tractor pulling a trailer
Juvenile Service Council
Lake Tahoe Preschool
Tahoe Best Friends
Christmas Cheer
Don/Jennifer Johnson - Segways
Lime Scooters - 15
Slo Rollers
LTCC
Ensync - Spinning - trailer with stationary bikes
Los Mexicano's Restaurant
Babe Ruth
Tahoe Community Church
Yellow Cab
The G Team
A Hand at Home
Heavenly Mtn Resort
Lake Tahoe Historical Society
Antique & Classic Boat Society
Barton Health-Skilled Nursing
American Red Cross
Integrity Locksmith
California Conservation Corp
SLT Stars
Tahoe Rents
Lakeview Thrift Store
100% Renewable Committee
Clean Tahoe Program
Welcome's
Foothills Tow
MV Trucking
MV Trucking