2011 Fourth of July Events in Sacramento

The Fourth of July is one of the most exciting times of year in Sacramento, but it can be hard to narrow down the perfect activities for you and your family. If you're interested in getting out of the house and celebrating Independence Day but you don't want to crash your budget, these inexpensive Fourth of July Events should provide some inspiration.

35th Annual Fourth of July 5-miler

Considered Sacramento's "oldest running event," the 35th Annual Fourth of July 5-miler is a running/jogging/walking event to celebrate our independence. The event is completely free regardless of your age or experience, and there is a separate half-mile race for kids 10 and younger.

Sign-in starts at 7:15 a.m. at Glen Hall Park in Sacramento. It's a no-pressure, no-frills event, and remember safety comes first. No headphones are allowed during the race, and your four-legged friends will have to stay at home because dogs are not allowed in the race.

Sacramento Independence Day Celebration

Join the festivities at CalExpo for the Fourth of July Celebration. There will be food, dancing, and of course fireworks, and grandstand tickets are free. If you'd rather reserve seating for your family, tickets are $10 per person.

Live music will begin at 4:30 p.m., and fireworks will commence at 9:30 p.m. This is one of the most popular Fourth of July events in Sacramento, so make sure you arrive early and prepare for significant traffic. You might also want to bring some spending money for food and/or souvenirs.

Elk Grove Salute

Some of the best Fourth of July events take place outside Sacramento. It's worth it to drive a few extra minutes to create the best holiday celebration with your family, and the Elk Grove Salute to the Red, White, and Blue might be just the ticket. Listen to music, eat good food, and watch the fireworks display.

The Elk Grove event is perfect for families because there are plenty of kid-friendly activities to help pass the time until fireworks begin. Vendor booths dedicated to children's arts and crafts, games, and other activities are available.

Block Parties

If you're looking for low-key Fourth of July fun in Sacramento, consider joining (or even starting) a local block party. Everyone brings pot-luck dishes, and there are games for kids as well as adults. There are large block parties planned for many area neighborhoods, but you can always organize one if there isn't a party in your neighborhood.

And if you aren't able to get out on the Fourth of July, you can enjoy the festivities right in your own living room. Fireworks displays will be simulcast on many local channels so you don't have to miss the fun entirely.