4th of July Parade & Activities

4th of July Parade & Activities

June 16, 2023

PARADE REGISTRATION HERE

PARADE SPONSORSHIP INFO HERE

The Truckee Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to bring back the Truckee 4th of July Parade! This must-attend event is the quintessential display of small town Americana. This year’s theme is “There’s No Place Like Home.” Festive and fun-filled, it is always a favorite and a true Truckee tradition with many families having come for generations. If you want a premier viewing location, get up early as avid parade spectators put their folding chairs out at their favorite spot right at daybreak. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. following the Firecracker Mile at 9:45 a.m. on July 4th!

Still time to enter, but hurry!
Parade entry deadline is June 30 at 5:00 p.m. Parade entry fee is $80 or $70 for nonprofits. If your entry has more than one vehicle, the entry fee is $90; $80 for nonprofits. PARADE REGISTRATION

Parade Details
Truckee’s July 4th parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at the west end of town (with staging at Truckee High School), and progresses 1-1/2 miles down Donner Pass Road through historic Downtown Truckee, ending around noon. 101.5FM Truckee Tahoe Radio will provide music and announce from the beginning of the parade, Jim Simon and Ravn Whitington of Porter Simon will return once again as the MC’s announcing the parade downtown, joined by Truckee Mayor and former radio personality, Lindsay Romack. Crux Events provides the upbeat, rousing music downtown, as well as the judges stand. The lovely Mountain Belles will be singing their beautiful harmonies of patriotic songs downtown while the crowd awaits the first floats. Tahoe Truckee Media will be filming the parade live and it will be re-broadcast periodically throughout July on Suddenlink Channel 18 or you can view the recording online at Tahoe Truckee Media.

The parade will start with the Tahoe-Truckee Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s presentation of the colors. This year we are honoring Town of Truckee’s Public Works department as the Parade Grand Marshall, for their heroic efforts this winter. The party begin with a parade of fire trucks sounding their horns, police cars and their sirens, big rig trucks, classic cars, horses, local nonprofits and organization floats.

BIG LIFE Connections VIP Seating Near the Judge’s Stage

​New this year – get ready to enjoy special perks with VIP seating at the Annual 4th of July Parade hosted by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce! 

Starting at 9:00 a.m., you’ll have access to comfortable seating next to the judge’s stage. And hey, we’ve got you covered with free coffee and tasty treats to keep you fueled up. From this prime spot, you’ll get the best view of the parade, allowing you to experience all the excitement up close and personal. Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity—there are only 20 seats available, so sign up now! REGISTER

Parade Categories for Trophies (and bragging rights)
Trophies will be given for Best of Show, and winner in each five classifications: Commercial (representing a business), Youth Group (18-years old and younger), Classic Auto, Open (your group doesn’t fit into any other category), and NonProfit.

Parade Filming
Truckee Tahoe Media will be filming the parade and it will be live-streamed on their website at www.ttctv.org, broadcast on cable Channel 6 (106 HD) and 18 (118 HD), and available as video-on-demand after July 4th.

The parade is put on by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Truckee, with logistical support from Big Blue Adventures and Crux Events. To register for the parade, CLICK HERE.


THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS!

Their commitment to this community celebration is invaluable in the production of the parade.

More July 4th Events – Truckee Style!

From dawn to nightfall, it’s a full day of fun! Here’s a rundown of all the activities.

Schedule of Events

  • 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast – Truckee Gateway Fire Station #92, next to Wild Cherries
  • 9:00 a.m. West End Beach Opens – Donner Lake (tickets required)
  • 9:40 – 10:00 a.m. Firecracker Mile – Donner Pass Road from US Bank through Downtown Truckee
  • 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Parade – Donner Pass Road from Gateway through Downtown Truckee
  • 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. Music, Games, Fun – West End Beach, Donner Lake (tickets required)
  • 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. Fireworks – West End Beach, Donner Lake

Pancake Breakfast – 7:00-10:00 a.m.
Start your day by fueling up at the Annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast put on by the Truckee Fire Protection District. This is their main annual fundraiser for scholarships. It’s held in Station 92 (11473 Donner Pass Road next to Wild Cherries) from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. The event is free (donations appreciated, but not required) and a great way to start your holiday. Who doesn’t love hot pancakes off the griddle with butter and maple syrup on a beautiful summer day? Sit side by side with friendly people laughing and joining in the camaraderie. Fire District logo merchandise will also be available for purchase.

Firecracker Mile Fun Run – 9:40 a.m.
Get in a bit of cardio burst before chilling out for the parade and a sun-filled day of barbecues, beer, and beach by doing the Firecracker Mile Fun Run. This is a one-mile “gravity-fed” fun event for all ages and abilities. The race starts with the elite runners at 9:40 a.m. just before the parade at US Bank on Donner Pass Road and finishes downtown at the train depot in the heart of all the crowds. This is definitely a family, kid-friendly, dog-friendly event. Run, jog, quick or casual walk with baby in stroller – all work! Runners are encouraged to wear festive attire and are cheered on by thousands of parade spectators. This is a fundraiser for the Auburn Ski Club REGISTER ONLINE or go into Tahoe Mountain Sports in the Safeway Center before July 4. Register early to ensure your spot; the first 500 entrants receive a commemorative water bottle.

4th of July Festivities and Fireworks at West End Beach – 1:00-10:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now through July 3rd, while supplies last! Click HERE for all the details!
Cost is $10 in advance only from the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District (no tickets at the gate on July 4th). The West End Beach event is for Truckee residents and homeowners and you must show some proof to purchase tickets. Tickets are limited to 7 tickets per adult in the household.

Enjoy a full day 4th of July party at West End Beach, with fireworks after dark. Spend the day with family, friends and the Truckee community with a day at the beach, listen and dance to music, play games, eat BBQ, and watch the fireworks. Gates to the beach open at 9:00 a.m., games and bands start at 1:00 p.m., and fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. Donner Lake gets super busy on this day – the 37 public piers fill up really early as do the shoreline beaches. People also watch the fireworks from their boats or kayaks – being sure to have the proper lighting and safety gear.

FREE Shuttles and Transportation

Leave the car behind, forget the parking hassles, be safe, and take the free shuttle service to and from the parade! The Town of Truckee will offer free 4th of July shuttles from Prosser, Glenshire, Sierra Meadows, Donner Lake, Tahoe Donner, and Northstar to and from downtown Truckee from 8:00 am-1:00 pm.  SHUTTLE SCHEDULE HERE

Getting to Donner Lake

  • FREE shuttle to West End Beach from Truckee High School, 4:00 -11:00 p.m.
  • FREE on-demand shuttle in Truckee (TART Connect), 6:30 a.m. – midnight
  • Truckee Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART), check route schedule
  • FREE bike valet, 4:00 – 11:00 p.m.

FREE Shuttle to West End Beach

FREE shuttle to West End Beach from Truckee High School from 4:00-11:00 p.m. Parking lots will be open for park-and-ride with bathrooms (porta potties) and trash nearby. Shuttle is an express route from Truckee High School to West End Beach and will not make additional stops along the way. For transportation within the Donner Lake area, please use TART or TART Connect.

TART Connect – FREE On-Demand Shuttle

Truckee’s FREE on-demand “around town” shuttle (TART Connect) is available for point-to-point rides from 6:30am to midnight. Download the app, order a ride, and get picked up in as little at 15 minutes. Works like a “Mountain Uber”!  

  • Expect longer wait times during the holiday weekend.
  • To help reduce traffic congestion, TART Connect will have at least one van dedicated to serving the Donner Lake area, including Donner Memorial State Park.
  • TART Connect vehicles coming from outside the Donner Lake area will use the Free Shuttle at Truckee High School as a drop-off point for all passengers going to West End Beach after 4:00 p.m.

FREE Truckee Tahoe Area Regional Transit

Use Truckee-Tahoe’s public transit. Truckee Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) will have regular public transit options until 6:30 p.m. View routes and times.

FREE Bike Valet

A FREE bike valet will be available at Truckee High School from 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. Ride to Truckee High, check your bike into the Bike Valet where it will be secured, monitored, and attended. Take the shuttle to and from the fireworks, and pick up your bike after the fireworks.

Road Closures

DONNER PASS ROAD: For the 4th of July Parade, please note Donner Pass Road will be CLOSED to traffic from approximately 9:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. from just west of Fire Station #92 by Truckee High School to Church Street downtown.

INTERSTATE 80: Westbound Exit #186 (Central Truckee) is closed to traffic from approximately 10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

OLD HIGHWAY 40: Closed above Donner Summit indefinitely due to rock slides.

FOR THE OFFICIAL 4TH OF JULY GUIDE, CLICK HERE