Celebrating Independence Day in the Eastern Sierra is a whole weekend full of fun.
From Friday, July 1st to Monday, July 4th there are exciting activities available for the whole family. From the city of Independence to the town of Mammoth Lakes, with Bishop midway between you’ll find pancake breakfasts, parades, free fishing, free swimming, train rides, a running race, baseball, volley ball, bocce, free watermelon, pie and ice cream, and of course fireworks – lots of fireworks!
Here’s a great guide to a great time in the Eastern Sierra during the Independence Day weekend. You’ll find contact details and links for more information about the events below. Stop in at the Bishop Visitor Center at 690 N. Main Street for the best advice, excellent maps & directions, and details on other great weekend activities and paces to visit in the area.
California Free Fishing Day – July 2
Whether you’re an old hand at angling or new to the fun of fishing, Saturday, July 2nd in the Eastern Sierra is probably going to be the best fishing you can have all year. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) offers two Free Fishing Days each year and this Saturday is one of them.
The choices of lake fishing, river fishing, bait fishing or fly-fishing are almost endless. Find solitude in the water on your own or take loved ones and friends along and … oh, yes! June is “teach a kid or friend to fish” month so share your skills and love of angling.
While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect, on Saturday, July 2nd anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.
Fishing at Intake 2
Bishop Activities & Celebrations All Weekend
July 1: 5:30 – 8:30pm
The Bishop Paiute Community and Farmers Market offer a wonderful selection of produce, food and crafts from local growers, artists, & food vendors at the Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center. For more info all 760-920-5254 or email .
July 2: 9am – Noon
Eastern Sierra Certified Farmers’ Market serves up a wonderful selection of fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, flowers and homemade items. Located on Church Street, behind Bishop City Hall, come early for the best selection. Call the City of Bishop for more information 760-873-5863.
Bishop Farmers Market
July 2 & 3: 10:30am to 2:30pm
Laws Railroad Museum is running train rides on the Death Valley Railroad Car. Tickets may be purchased in the Depot, $5 a person, kids under 13 ride free with an adult. The schedule is subject to change for unforeseen circumstances. Call 760-873-5950 for more info.
Laws Railroad Museum (Photo credit Ron Nickerson)
July 3: 3pm – 9pm
Wanaaha Casino Fireworks Show starts after sunset following a fun day of outdoor activities for the whole family. Admission is free to the food, arts and craft fair, plus free kids activities and live entertainment. For more info call 888-372-4883 or log on to www.paiutepalace.com.
Free fireworks show on July 3rd
July 4: All Day
Big Day in the Bishop City Park is an all day event for the whole family. Enjoy free swimming in the Bishop City Pool and have yourself some free watermelon, pie & ice cream. Watch an exhibition baseball game or play tennis, bocce & sand volleyball on the local courts. It’s open to all. Call 760-873-5863 for info.
July 4: 4 – 9pm
This is the big one in Bishop! Free spectacular fireworks show sponsored by the Bishop Fire Department. Bring your barbecue, coolers, and shade. After sundown, watch the night sky show. Contact 760-873-5863 for more info.
Independence Day in Independence
July 4: Dawn to Dusk
Have a little old fashioned fun at Eastern California Museum. There’s a 4K/10K run, pancake breakfast, parade, arts/crafts, games, pie, ice cream, concerts, BBQ, arts & crafts, and a fireworks show. Call this number to get all the details: 760-878-0258.
Mammoth Fun in Mammoth Lakes
July 4 – 10:30am
Start out with a run in the Footloose Freedom Mile. This one-mile road race starts at Snowcreek driving range 30 minutes before the town Fourth of July parade on Old Mammoth Road. Pre-registration costs $25 and day-of registration costs $35. All proceeds benefit Mammoth Track Project and Disabled Sports. Pre-register here.
July 4: 11am
Independence Day Parade in Mammoth Lakes starts on Lake Mary Road and travels down Main Street and turns the corner at Old Mammoth Road. Bring beach chairs, umbrellas, cooler boxes and towels. It’s gonna be a hot one and you’re likely to get hosed down!
Cruise the town during the day and find beautiful arts and crafts at the Mono County Arts annual art festival and grab yourself a great bargain at the Mammoth Marketplace.
July 4: about 9:15pm
The Town of Mammoth Lakes in partnership with Crowley Lake Fish Camp presents the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Crowley Lake after sunset. This year’s “Sky Concert” will propel over 737 shells into the Eastern Sierra sky for a mesmerizing 20 minutes beginning at approximately 9:15pm (weather permitting). Best parking and viewing can be had for a small fee at the Crowley marina, otherwise park in Crowley, alongside the road (please park well off the road!) or by the power station.
4th of July camping – an American tradition
There are tons of great camping options in and around Bishop. Bring the kids, the pets, your BBQ and all your toys. Load up the bikes, rafts, kayaks, fishing rods, tennis racquets, cameras, kites and backpacks. Whatever you have we have a place for you to have fun with it.
Take a look at a couple of previous blog posts for lots more information about camping.
The Ins and Outs of Camping in Bishop Creek Canyon
10 Perfect Places to Camp In Spring Around Bishop
Brown’s Town Campground
