Berkeley Fourth Of July Festival And Fireworks

Time: 4:07pm/66°F sunny
Purpose: Started the day driving over from SF to Alameda for parade, then on way to Berkeley saw event at JLS, finally show up here for the fireworks at 9:30pm.
Set-​up: Located in the Berkeley marina pier infront of Skates. Security, janitors, police, vendors, food trucks.
Staff: Most are volunteers except for the parking/​police officers from the city of Berkeley. There wasn’t much staff to be seen maybe parking lot attendants and janitors. Didn’t even see security on bikes, walking or on segways. Although it’s consider safe because there’s one way in and one way out only, police station at check points.
Cleanliness: Grade A, clean for this type of events. As trash are pick up continuously so the only complaint was that the garbage trucks tuck away in back of kids area. The chute on back of truck was open not shut so strong of wind blows inward from ocean, guess who gets a sniff first? The kids! I was nearby and still have itchy throat from the stench.
Eats/​Drinks: Roasted corn on Cobb $ 3, pizza (whole pie) $ 12, ½ fudge $ 10, lemonade $ 2.50, snack size almond $ 3.50. Was eyeing the potato knish too but was stuff already.
Products/​Services: Food trucks, crafts, arts, specialty food, entertainment, bands, kids jump house, teaco slide, pony rides, carnival rides/​games, dragon boat lessons, specialty crafts/​food, jewelry, costume, health/​beauty, teacup rides, portable potty/​sink, recyclable trash cans, band/​music stages, parking lots.
Punch Lines: Family atmosphere, good choices of food trucks, free, something to be had, near the waters, long wait line (parking), BYOC (bring your own chair), restaurants nearby, cold/​breezy by sundown, I-​80 freeway, University Ave corridor, eastshore state park, frontage road (use for cycling, jogging, strolls), no shuttle services, AC transit buses doesn’t run in pier due to heavy traffic.
Tradeoffs: This east bay event has more of everything from food choices, parking and space is not a problem. I lived in SF but some of those firework goers are just plain trouble makers, not here though.
Final Thoughts: 4^th of July in the Berkeley pier has always been a favorite of mines. It’s a good east bay event alternative for your 4^th of July activities if you don’t want to travel too far. I find this event to be bigger and bigger every year as shown here by new specialty vendors that comes from all over the state.