PHOTO SHOW: Sonoma Lives Up To Its 'Top 10 Best July 4th Town' Reputation

By Al Francis:

Sonoma residents and visitors had a fun-filled, old fashioned Fourth of July celebration that drew huge crowds to the downtown Square where every inch of park, sidewalks and streets was utilized for viewing the parade and festivities.

The parade, presented by Sonoma Community Center, had a lot of pressure on it after being named one of the 10 best July 4th celebrations in the country by Travel+Leisure Magazine and Yahoo News. But long-time community support and tradition prevailed with the two-hour parade wrapping around three of the Square’s four blocks.

The local Native Sons of the Golden West, along with the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, assisted with crowd control at intersections.

Just getting a good parade viewing spot was a challenge with some residents rising before dawn to set up chairs, blankets, shade awnings or even tables set for buffets.

(One family set up a wooden, two-to-three person swing set for their viewing comfort, but the family dog got the best seat in the house with padded seats.)

The festivities also included picnicking in the downtown park and food vendors, including the Rotary Club’s booth offering turkey legs and hot dogs. And TIPS Tri-Tip Trolley was among the crowd favorites judging by the long lines.

Sonoma’s fireworks extravaganza, produced by the Sonoma Volunteer Fire Department, thrilled thousands who trekked to the site near the historic General Valley’s home, just north of downtown.

• For more photo shows from Al Francis, see:
• PHOTO SHOW From Silverado’s Fireworks Spectacular
• Fun, Fun Fun: Beach Boys Rock The Sonoma-Marin Fair
• The Fun Has Begun: Sonoma Marin Fair Runs Through June 28
• ‘Peggy Sue’s All-American Cruise’ Rolled This Weekend - With A Very Special Cause: SEE PHOTOS
• PHOTOS: Butter and Eggs Day - Great Moments From The Parade In Petaluma!

Photos by Francis of NapaSonomaPhotos.com