Bay Area's Fourth of July

Aubrey Wiltjer, 8, center, and friends get excited for the Trace Elementary School float at the 11th Annual Rose, White & Blue Parade in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This year's parade theme is "Technology in the Valley". (Photo by Jacqueline Ramseyer)
A couple people in patriotic.colors stroll during the 4th of July BBQ Block Party at Jack London Square in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the Santa Clara Valley Rifle Club carry a large American flag at the 11th Annual Rose, White & Blue Parade in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This year's parade theme is "Technology in the Valley". (Photo by Jacqueline Ramseyer)
Barrie Matthews and her boxer Cora enjoy the 11th Annual Rose, White & Blue Parade in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This year's parade theme is "Technology in the Valley". (Photo by Jacqueline Ramseyer)
Aaron Davis-Warren, 20, of Oakland, performs during the 4th of July BBQ Block Party at Jack London Square in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Kenny the Clown takes a break after entertaining the crowd during the 4th of July BBQ Block Party at Jack London Square in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Coco Chanel, 3, of Pittsburg, strolls along with its owner Ronda Smith during the 4th of July BBQ Block Party at Jack London Square in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
People mix and mingle during the 4th of July BBQ Block Party at Jack London Square in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Vivian Zhao, 6, of Union City waves the American flag during the Fremont 4th of July Parade in Fremont. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
Jane Schuetz, daughter Josie, 7, dressed as Lady Liberty, son Jasper, 10, and husband Andy, from left, drive their 1931 Ford Model A in the Fourth of July parade in Piedmont, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Pearl Harbor Survivor Mickey Ganitch salutes the crowd as he rides up Grant Street during the Concord Fourth of July Parade, celebrating 150 years of the City of Concord, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Dan Rosenstrauch)
Matthew Levine and Monica Lenk, of San Francisco, from left, with the Art Deco Society of California ride in a classic car during the Fourth of July parade in Piedmont, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Juliana Duncan, 5, of Berkeley, plays with a bubble machine while waiting for the start of the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade along Park Street in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Baton twirler Elaine Lindenmayer, of Piedmont, performs along Highland Avenue during the Fourth of July parade in Piedmont, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Roan Foote, 5, of Concord, waves to the crowd while holding an American flag on his father Darrell Foote's shoulders, as they walk up Grant Street during the Concord Fourth of July Parade celebrating the 150 years of the City of Concord, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Dan Rosenstrauch)
Aron Weisner and daughter Jane, 6, and son Graham, 3, of Piedmont, watch the Fourth of July parade in Piedmont, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Ray Valerio, of Alameda, watches the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade along Park Street in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Sharkie greets parade goers watching the 11th Annual Rose, White & Blue Parade in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This year's parade theme is "Technology in the Valley". (Photo by Jacqueline Ramseyer)
Spectators watch the Fremont 4th of July Parade in Fremont. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
A participant greets the spectators during the Fremont 4th of July Parade in Fremont. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
American Legion Twin Cities Post 313 past president Pauline Anglican rides with her nephew, Marine veteran Russell Otto in the annual on 4th of July parade in Larkspur, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Sherry LaVars/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Pageant winners for Mrs. Vietnam and Miss Vietnam California ride in the 11th Annual Rose, White & Blue Parade in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This year's parade theme is "Technology in the Valley". (Photo by Jacqueline Ramseyer)
John Fuller, of Walnut Creek, dresses the part as he rides up Grant Street during the Concord Fourth of July Parade celebrating the 150 years of the City of Concord, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Dan Rosenstrauch)
Danny Barden, 4, reacts to passing fire trucks at the Fourth of July parade in Novato, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
The Marin Rowing Club marches during the annual 4th of July parade in Larkspur, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Sherry LaVars/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
The crowd cheers and waves during the annual on 4th of July parade in Larkspur, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Sherry LaVars/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
The MacIntosh Pipe Band from Larkspur performs during the annual on 4th of July parade in Larkspur, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Sherry LaVars/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Spectators watch a performance by members of the Shaolin Temple USA during the Fremont 4th of July Parade in Fremont. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
A 1776 model American flag waves the annual on 4th of July parade in Larkspur, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Sherry LaVars/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Emmett Granger, 4, of San Rafael salutes as military vehicles pass during the annual on 4th of July parade in Larkspur, Calif. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Sherry LaVars/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
The Boy Scouts of America color guard marches during the Fremont 4th of July Parade in Fremont. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
People fill the sidewalk along Park Street to during the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Denise Limon, of Oakland, looks on while waiting for the start of the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade along Park Street in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
People on board the Alameda International Film Festival float wave to the crowd during the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the Encinal High School cheer squad perform during the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
Tessa Thornberry of Fremont smiles as she watches the Fremont 4th of July Parade in Fremont. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
Jack Magano, 6, of San Leandro, plays with a American flag themed inflatable ball while waiting for the start of the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade along Park Street in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)
People watch the fireworks show after the Oakland Athletics baseball game against the San Diego Padres at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Ryan Rector, of Concord, a United States Marine Corps veteran, gets into the spirit of the Independence Day holiday as he cheers for the Oakland Athletics during their baseball game against the San Diego Padres at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Rector is working on a startup nonprofit organization to help transition veterans out of the military and re-integrate them back into society. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)
Photo by Kellie Ann Benz
Volunteers costumed in Continental Army uniforms await their moment to shine during Saratoga's Fourth of July at Kevin Moran Park Wednesday. (Photo by Kellie Ann Benz).
Kellie Ann Benz photo. Saratoga celebrated the Fourth of July in grand style at Kevin Moran Park Wednesday. Actors portraying American iconic characters stole the show, attracting kids and their families for selfies and photos. The McCartysville Volunteer Band played patriotic tunes and participants filled out thank you card for active military. (Photo by Kellie Ann Benz)
The Lincoln Middle School marching band makes their way along Park Street during the Mayor's Fourth of July Parade in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

By Mark DuFrene | mdufrene@bayareanewsgroup.com

PUBLISHED: July 4, 2018 at 2:41 p.m. | UPDATED: July 6, 2018 at 5:58 a.m.

There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day in the Bay Area. Here’s a roundup of how we took part in our nation’s birthday. Click here if you are unable to view this gallery on a mobile device.