North Shore knows how to throw an Independence Day party.

“The Fourth of July holiday traditionally brings thousands of visitors to North Lake Tahoe,” said Andy Chapman, tourism director of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “Despite the challenging economy, this year is proving to be no different. Our drive market especially already has reservations on the books, taking a few extra vacation days to enjoy all the lake has to offer.”

Incline Village pulls out all the stops with a multi-day celebration started Thursday and will last through July 4. Special events include parade, dress-up-doggie contest, opening ceremonies, ice cream social, patriotic chalk drawing contest and rubber ducky race. The festivities culminate with Fourth of July Firework 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Incline Beach.

Fireworks also get under way a day Friday, July 3 earlier at Kings Beach. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. The best place to watch is from the Kings Beach State Recreation Area. There’s also a viewing party at the North Tahoe Event Center, right on the water in Kings Beach. For just $10, attendees get entry to front row fireworks, live music and dancing, along with a no host bar and food available for purchase throughout the evening.

The Village at Squaw Valley USA presents free live music from 4to 7 p.m. Friday, July 3 with country rockers Hell Bound Glory.

The holiday weekend starts on Friday, July 3 at the Village at Northstar in Truckee with an Arts & Crafts Festival showcasing more than 60 artists’ work. The holiday celebration continues that night with an outdoor showing of the movie Little Giants. The highlight of the weekend is the Kids’ Parade Saturday, July 4, when children are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters, big wheels, pets or themselves at Mine from noon to 2:30 p.m. and then show off their creativity in a parade through the village that begins at 2:30 p.m. There will be an outdoor moving howing of Groundhog Day that evening and then the weekend finishes up with the Arts & Crafts Festival.

Tahoe City’s 63rd annual fireworks celebration begins at 9:30 p.m. at Commons Beach Saturday, July 4.

Prime viewing spots are from the beach, where family picnics are popular, as well as various locations throughout town along North Lake Boulevard. Guests can also make reservations at one of Tahoe City’s many lakefront restaurants, including Jake’s on the Lake and Christy Hill along with nearby Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique.

The best party might be Truckee’s July Fourth Holiday Celebration with a morning Truckee Firecracker Mile fun run and walk for all ages followed by a 10 a.m. hometown parade in historical downtown, featuring the Wells Fargo six-horse-drawn stagecoach.

That night, a fireworks display will be held at Donner Lake’s West End Beach. Tickets must be purchased in advance as beach access is limited and are available to local residents and homeowners. Incline Village is also hosting a fun run, the 25th Annual I-CAN Run/Walk Saturday, July 4, 8 a.m., in Incline Village with a 5k, 10K and a special kids’ 1K event on flat forest trails and safe scenic roads.

The party continues with Red, White and Toccata Tahoe Blue, The Orchestra and Community Choral Artists of the Tahoe Area, which is kicking off its Big Blue MusicFest with a celebration of American composers. The performance is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Squaw Valley Chapel in Olympic Valley Sunday, July 5 and will feature spirituals, Broadway, pop and folk tunes.