Declare your independence this July 4 with some musical fireworks...

Declare your independence this July 4 with some musical fireworks...|

If it’s your first time being at the “Hometown Fourth of July Celebration” on the Sonoma Plaza, get ready. Lovingly referred to by some as “Mayberry on acid,” the day begins with a real hometown parade that kicks off at 10 a.m. with marching bands, horses and even dancing bears (we might be wrong about that one). Close to 15,000 people will be lining the streets surrounding the Plaza.

After the parade, the festivities shift onto the Plaza at about 11:45 a.m., where there will be patriotic readings and songs by the Hometown Band. Once things settle down, it’s time for some live local music, kicking off at 1 p.m. with the band Never Fear. The act consists of winemakers Rich Little and Jeff Bundschu, along with Scott DiMartini on drums, playing classic rock songs. Later, at 3 p.m. the Cork Pullers take the stage playing a variety of folk and rock classics from the ‘60s and beyond. The vocals are a key feature with this act, and they are regularly asked to perform the National Anthem at AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants.

Not to be outdone, a few years back Murphy’s Irish Pub unveiled the “All American Music Festival” in the alley out in front of the pub, which features a number of bands all day long. Paired down a little this year, there are three acts that will be performing, starting at 11:30 a.m. with local favorites Ten Foot Tone playing a number of original rock songs with a tasty cover or two thrown in. Next up is the Timothy O’Neil Band for a 3 p.m. start time. The evening is wrapped up by Sue Albano’s band, Tsunami, playing classic rock and rock standards starting at 6 p.m. and going until the fireworks.

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