Get your fill of 4th of July events

Fireworks explode over a crowd at the 2011 celebration at Analy High School. (BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat)

Several years ago, fireworks companies came up with a genius idea: If only they could get people to celebrate the Fourth of July on a day other than the Fourth of July, then they could get even more business.

So they offered half-price fireworks to smaller towns like Monte Rio and Bodega Bay, which would much rather pay $9,000 than $18,000 for a show that’s over in 20 minutes. And suddenly, the June 30th Independence Day celebration was born.

So once again, if you time it just right this year in Sonoma County, you can watch at least four fireworks shows in the next five days — but only if they’re visible beneath the marine layer.

“There’s a mantra we have in Bodega Bay, around June 1st we get everybody to start chanting, ‘No fog, no fog, no fog,’” says Sissy Blanchard, president of the Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

It’s worked the past three years.

What happened four years ago?

“The fog rolled in and all you could see were these faint glowing lights above.”

Even at $9,000, it’s a little disconcerting.

Fog or no fog, it all goes up at 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Westside Park, 2400 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay. Free. More information at www.bodegabay.com.