Point Reyes Light - June 30, 2005
Independence Day events in West Marin
By Will Kennedy
West Marin towns will celebrate Independence Day with parades, games, barbecues, cross-lagoon tugs-o-war, and a historic footrace. Here’s a rundown. All events are on Monday, July 4 unless otherwise indicated.
Woodacre
County firefighter’s will begin the day serving pancakes from 8 to 11 a.m. at the firehouse. Woodacre’s Annual Independence Day Parade will start at noon and proceed down Railroad Avenue from the Improvement Club to Dickson Ranch. This year’s theme, "Just Horsin’ Around," will carry over into the post parade festivities where ranch hands will guide horse and pony rides and perform equestrian demonstrations. Walt Dickson and the Sky Blue band will provide entertainment, while the San Geronimo Valley Lion’s club will host a barbecue with beer and wine. Other activities scheduled include bingo, kids games, gunny sack races, a "beautiful men’s legs contest," and a two-man saw competition. The celebration will continue until 5 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting the Lion’s Club, school Music Savers and Valley Toys and Joys.
Dillon Beach
Dillon Beach Resort will host a barbecue from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at the resort’s private beach. A tent will house seating for guests seeking to enjoy the scenery along with their hamburgers, corn on the cob and other barbecue fare. A large bonfire, an event held at Lawson’s Landing in previous years, will close the day’s events.
Inverness
A photo exhibit at the Jack Mason Museum will commemorate 105 years of Inverness’ Independence Day footraces this July 4. The museum will display historic as well as contemporary photographs of the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the museum’s gallery.
Actual races, which include toddler, boy, girl, and senior heats, will begin at 10 a.m. Museum staff have also planned an outdoor display for the wall opposite the fire station. The exhibit titled, "Our Town," will document past Inverness clubs and include "then and now" photo’s of club’s that still gather. One of these club’s, the Inverness Association, will celebrate their 75 year anniversary by distributing bandannas imprinted with a circa-1930 town map for a $5 dollar donation.
Point Reyes Station
Toby’s Feed Barn will host events over the Independence day weekend, including a farmer’s market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 2. A barbecue of organic hamburgers and other grille items is slated, while local vendors will supply fresh fruits, meats and other produce. Musical guests Midnight on the water will perform American and Celtic roots anthems from 10 a.m. until the market’s close.
Among the attractions, pastry expert Claire Ptak will appear as a guest chef for the event.
An opening day reception for Inverness artist Wendy Schwartz from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday in Toby’s Gallery will mark a final weekend event at the feed barn.
Point Reyes Books will join the Independence weekend festivities by presenting author Daniel Ellsberg at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3. Ellsberg will discuss his recent book, Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon as well as contemporary issues involving whistleblowing and government secrecy. Those interested in attending can call 663-1542 to make a reservation.
Nicasio
Rancho Nicasio will present music throughout the extended weekend beginning with the Rancho Allstars at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 1. Sisters Morales will continue the entertainment series the following day at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, will feature a barbecue on the lawn at 4 p.m. with the Zydeco Flames, while Junior Brown and Rusty Evans will play barbecue show at 4 p.m. Monday for the Rancho’s Independence Day performance.
Bolinas
Prior to July 4 festivities, the Bolinas museum will host an artists reception for four new exhibitions from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 2. Independence Day events will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, July 4 with the annual tug-o-war between Stinson Beach and Bolinas. Men and women compete separately in two events that will feature 30 Bolinas residents competing against 30 Stinson Beach residents for bragging rights and a chance to drag the opposition into Bolinas Lagoon.
Following the tug-o-war, a parade from 11 a.m. until noon along with a barbecue and music will conclude the town sponsored events. Bolinas will restrict downtown access from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with roadblocks on Olema-Bolinas road and Overlook drive. Parking and a free shuttle to downtown will be available at Mesa Park. Guitarist Chrome Johnson is billed as Independence Day evening entertainment from 8 to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4, at Smiley’s Saloon.
Stinson
After the annual tug-o-war with Bolinas at 9 a.m., Stinson Beach will host a "small-town get-together" from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at the Village Green. Geared toward children, the event will include a barbecue, games and prizes for pre-school to elementary-school-age kids and their families. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Stinson Beach Community Center. Parkside Cafe Patio will have entertainment for an older crowd, from 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday night. Category-defying rockers Pink Sabbath will kick off the musical event, performing until 5:30 p.m. The band will then play with the Big Skin blues band, who will wrap up the evening with their own set.
Marin County Fair
The fair runs from Friday, June 30, to Monday, July 4, and boasts a nightly fireworks show beginning at 9:30 p.m. The fair will also include the exhibition "Family Portraits" by Point Reyes photographer Art Rogers. Making his fifth appearance at the event, Rogers will display photo’s of West Marin families in the pavilion. Rogers calls this portfolio his "Yesterday, Today" series, because of the time-lapse technique he employed. In this volume of work, Rogers has placed an initial family portrait next to a photo with the same subjects and a near-identical composition taken years later.
Fireworks & the law
The Highway Patrol has pledged vigilance over the Independence Day weekend. "Every available officer will be on the road, and they’re going to be especially watching for drunk drivers," said CHP Captain Robert Morehen in a statement. The CHP encourages those who drink to find designated drivers for the ride home. Marin law enforcement agencies including the CHP, the National Park Service and the Sheriff’s Office say they will work in conjunction to ensure the safety of Marin’s visitors and residents.
Point Reyes National Seashore representative John Dell’Osso warns that wildfire season in the Western US has started early this year and cautions park visitors "to be especially fire safe." That warning extends to all of Marin County – fireworks are illegal countywide.
Those wishing to see pyrotechnics without traveling out of the county can attend Marin’s only legal exhibition of fireworks at the County Fair’s 60 anniversary.