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Although there will be no fireworks lighting up the Valley this year, residents can still take part in a plethora of Independence Day activities.

Runners, joggers and strollers are invited to get a healthy start to the Fourth of July celebration at Walk San Ramon, a 10K run, 5K walk and run, and a 3K "fun run." Race day registration for the measured and paved loop course begins at 6:30 a.m.; runs begin at 8:15 and 8:20 a.m.

For those more inclined to relax and watch people stream by, Danville's Fourth of July parade begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The parade will run along Hartz Avenue and San Ramon valley Boulevard from San Ramon Valley High to Sycamore Valley Road West; spectators may begin to set up chairs on sidewalks after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3. Residents are reminded not to block handicap accessible ramps on the street corners and chairs that are removed will be available for pick-up at the town service center on Thursday.

Street closures for the parade will be in place from 6 a.m. through 2 p.m. at the following locations:
* Danville Boulevard between El Cerro Boulevard and Railroad Avenue
* Railroad Avenue between Hartz and Love Lane
* Love Lane between Railroad and Verona avenues
* La Gonda Way between El Cerro and Danville boulevards
* Hartz Avenue between Railroad Ave. and Hartz Way
* San Ramon Valley Boulevard between Hartz Way and Sycamore Valley Road
* Westbound Sycamore Valley Road and Remington Loop between San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Sheri Lane

Through traffic may utilize Danville Boulevard from El Cerro Boulevard north as well as Del Amigo Road, Verona Road and San Ramon Valley Boulevard south of West Sycamore Valley Road. Parade parking is available at several municipal lots, including those at Front Street, Railroad Avenue, the Clock Tower, the park and ride lot on Sycamore Valley Road, as well as the library and community center. Disabled parking is available at Diablo Road at Front Street. Sustainable Danville Area will provide bicycle parking at 675 Hartz Avenue from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; bicyclists should enter from School Street and provide their own locks.

After the parade, attend Celebrate America, Celebrate San Ramon in Central Park. The event, a free concert in the park's amphitheater, will kick off at 4 p.m. with patriotic music by the San Ramon Symphonic Band. Larry Colon will direct the band's 60 volunteer musicians. The band will be followed by a tribute to veterans and those on active duty military, including a flag ceremony and Armed Forces theme songs.

San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson will then recognize past and present members of the armed forces in the audience, and local military organizations are invited to participate. Local favorite Pride and Joy will perform pop and soul hits from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and attendees are invited to write postcards to the troops in Afghanistan. Those postcards will be given to the Blue Star Moms to be included in the care packages that they regularly mail overseas

Blue Star Moms will also accept care package donations for the troops at the event. Those donations can include everything from Twinkies to Nerf Balls and Silly Putty. A complete list of items to donate can be found at www.bluestarmoms.org.

The city of San Ramon will hold two forums looking for community ideas for future Fourth of July event. The forums will be held at the San Ramon Community Center on July 14 and at Dougherty Station Community Center on Sept. 23.

Other local celebrations include the annual blues festival at the Alameda County Fair, a patriotic concert and celebration in Pleasanton (noon-1:30 p.m. at Lions Wayside Park) and the Concord jubilee and parade (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Todos Santos Plaza).

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