Start on the 3rd and go to:

Point Richmond for food & live music Marina Bay Park starting at 6:30pm – 10pm; Fireworks at 9;15pm

Or

El Cerrito’s celebration of the country’s diversity is a 2 Day affair starting 5pm Thurs – 7pm at Cerrito Vista Park live music; offering  a variety in choices of organic foods, rides, art, music & activities.  Inside the Park there will be a Main Stage with a variety of artists and an Art Show and sale. 

On the 4th:

Albany:
Green, Red, White & Blue Celebration starts with a pancake breakfast at 8am – 11am at the Veteran’s Memorial Building; The rest of events take place at Memorial Park; Food and Car Show 12-3; Diaper Derby – 2pm; Pet Show 3:10pm

Antioch:
Parade 11am – 1pm on 2nd Street; Contra Costa Fairgrounds has music starting at 1pm and fireworks start at 9:15pm

Concord: An day full of events in Concord: 5k run starting at 8am (registration starts at 6:45am) , parade starts at 10am at Mt. Diablo H.S. on Grant St. , Festival starts at 4pm picnic, kids carnival, food booths and live entertainment! Fireworks begin at 9p.m. Friday, July 4, 2014. 4p.m. - 10p.m. 2450 Grant St. Concord, CA 94520 (Only 3 Blocks from Todos Santos Plaza). (925) 695-7268.

Clayton:  Parade starts 10am – 12pm, celebrating Clayton’s 50th Anniversary, Oak Street in Clayton

Danville: Community Parade 9am – 12:30pm from Hartz and Railroad down to Sycamore and San Ramon Valley Blvd.  Crowds as large as 40,000 

El Cerrito hosts the World One 4th of July Festival

Hercules:  Dynamite 5K Run: at Refugio Park, must register by Wednesday, July 2nd, check-in on the 4th by 7am at ;  Parade at 10:45am starts at Redwood Ave. and goes to Sycamore and ending at Refugio Valley Park.  There is an Expo at Refugio Valley Park from  7am – 2pm

Martinez: Parade and Fireworks.  The parade starts organizing at 8am.  There are 40 entries, including many community groups which will march down Main Street.  The is the 6thAnnual Parade.

Moraga: Community Picnic in the Commons Pancake Breakfast 8-10am; Doggie Parade 9am; Kids Bike Parade – 10:30;  Family Magic Show 12:30pm; Lunch & Dinner Burgers & Hot Dogs, Music - 6:45pm; Golf Course Fireworks – 9:30pm

Orinda: Pancake Breakfast starts at 7:30; Roadrunners Fun Run 8am; and the Community Parade starts at 10am on Orinda Way and ending at Theater Square.  This includes a flag raising ceremony at 7:55am, live music and more family fun 

Pleasant Hill: Community Parade:  Hats Off To America - Firecracker 5K Fun Run at 8am, parade at 9:30am, fun at the park at 10:30am, entertainment, games and more. Fireworks begin around 9p.m. at College Park.

San Pablo: El Portal Soccer Field celebration starts at 4pm with entertainments, kids games, food & drinks

San Ramon:
Live music, dancing, patriotic celebration, and salute to local veterans. Friday, July 4, 2014 4:30p.m. - 7:30p.m. at San Ramon Central Park-  12501 Alcosta Blvd.

 
Walnut Creek: The annual Fourth of July concert at Civic Park will not only be celebrating the Centennial but also have an art filled event by offering a "Paint Out" showing local artists works celebrating Walnut Creek.  Festivities will be running from 3pm-7pm in Civic Park at he corner of Civic Dr. and Broadway.  The concert begins at 76pm and teh rootbeer floats will be poffered from 5-6pm and 7 to 7:30pm after the concert.


If You Want to Leave Contra Costa County, you can enjoy the celebrations in Berkeley. Fireworks start at 9:30.  You can watch the San Francisco show from the Berkeley Marina, fireworks start at 9:30;  Point Isabel and Jack London Square.  If visibility favors, you can even enjoy it from Hercules.

OR

Jack London Square, Oakland 11am – 4pm  Festival of Family Fun

OR

Piedmont has a Parade that starts at 11am at the corner of highland Avenue and Park way; afterwards the community picnic is held in the Main Park and will have Big Band Music


OR

San Francisco’s Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf has a spectacular fireworks show.  However, you can watch this show from within the City or outside, depending on the visibility that night.  You can see it from: Pier 39, Aquatic Park and Fisherman’s Wharf the best.  The Embarcadero is usually a less crowded alternative spot to enjoy the display, as well.

OR

Pleasanton: Fireworks at the Alameda County Fairgrounds 9:45pm

After an initial tour of the art on the 1st Floor of the Walnut Creek library, I decided to waylay the 2nd floor coverage until a later date.  But since the 1% budget requirement for Public Art on new construction also applies to government buildings, I was intrigued to see what else had been done with public funds and decided to finish the tour sooner than later.

If you take the elevator up you are immediately greeted by this replica Terra Cotta Warrior acting as a Sentry and yet reminding everyone of the rich past we can discover in our library research.  

The reference desk was well positioned in the center near a balsa like aerial art form called "The Trap" by Gina Telacocci.  There is a room for anyone to escape to whether they seek a Business & Career Center, Teen Zone with Tatoo & Skateboard Art, or Historic Significance is addressed by a Walnut Creek Historical Society Exhibit end of the building overlooking the park.  There are many retreats also available in the Black Oak, Blue Oak and  Live Oak Rooms providing enjoyment of the quietude.