Nominees:

This year, we asked our community a simple question: Who’s your hero? The response was overwhelming. From veterans and first responders to neighbors who quietly show up year after year, the nominations that poured in are a beautiful reflection of what makes Incline Village and Crystal Bay such a special place to call home. Meet the people you chose.

Betsy Garfinkle

Betsy recently retired from IVGID, but her legacy blooms all over Incline Village. For years, she was the one out there gardening and planting flowers on IVGID properties, making our community more beautiful one bed at a time. Her hard work, dedication, and ever-present smile have touched more hearts than she probably knows. A true unsung hero.

Officer Hannah Degoey

Hannah is a hero for the women of Incline Village. As a law enforcement officer, she has gone above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic violence in our community – offering protection, compassion, and consistency when people need it most.

Jeffry Poindexter

Jeff is a veteran whose service never stopped at the uniform. He’s been a pillar of the Incline Village Veterans Club, Rotary, the Military Officers Association, and the Tahoe Business Exchange, and he volunteers every year at the 4th of July Veterans Pancake Breakfast. He’s deeply involved with the Incline High School JROTC program, personally helping distribute scholarships to students who want to serve our country. And right now, he’s working alongside the Veterans Club and local realtors to establish a War Memorial in Incline Village – a lasting tribute to those who gave their lives. Jeff embodies duty, honor, and community in everything he does.

Nominated by the Incline Village Good Neighbor Committee

Denise Bremer

Trying to summarize Denise in a sentence or two? Nearly impossible. She’s chaired the Incline Realtor Board, served on the Fire Board, helped with the 4th of July and St. Patrick’s food distributions, taught classes at the Rec Center, and been an active member of Trampers and Incliners. She watches over pets and never hesitates to help anyone in need. Denise is the kind of neighbor every community hopes to have.

Nominated by a friend

Lourdes Avenier & Ana Porras

Lourdes and Ana saw a gap and filled it. They founded the HOPA program at Incline High School, pairing first-generation students with local professionals for one-on-one mentoring. The impact of that kind of support – someone in your corner who’s been where you’re trying to go – is immeasurable.

Linda Offerdahl

Linda is the kind of person who makes things happen. Always stepping up, always making new ideas work for this community, she’s become a go-to force in Incline Village who brings energy and follow-through to everything she touches.

Nominated by a neighbor

Harry Van Delinder

Harry was a man of quiet service. He didn’t speak about his time stationed in England during World War II until the year 2000 – but when he finally did, what emerged was a remarkable story. The hundreds of letters he exchanged with his parents between 1944 and 1945 are being preserved and will one day be published for generations to come. Harry passed away in 2016, but his legacy lives on. His son Brad calls him his best friend in life, and we can see why.

Nominated by Brad Van Delinder – his son

Steve Conboy

Steve Conboy has spent his career doing something most of us only read about in the news: finding real, lasting solutions to the wildfire crisis threatening our forests, our homes, and our communities. As the founder of Mighty Fire Breaker and CitroTech Wildfire Defense, Steve invented CitroTech – the only fire retardant recognized by the EPA Safer Choice Program, meaning it’s safe for people, pets, and the environment while still being highly effective. His work has helped protect homes, families, and first responders from devastating wildfires, and he’s described by those who know him as an environmentalist, activist, and philanthropist who approaches it all with the heart of a true public servant.

Closer to home, Steve recently opened the Wildfire Pro Shop right here in Incline Village, bringing his mission directly to the community he cares about. He’s been nominated by friends, colleagues, family members, and community members alike – each one pointing to the same thing: a man who saw a problem, dedicated his life to solving it, and never stopped showing up for others along the way.

Nominated by multiple community members. 

Dr. Johanna Koch, Janice & Rosie

Dr. Johanna Koch has served the Incline community as a physician for over forty years and will be retiring next year – a milestone that deserves to be celebrated loudly. Alongside her, retired nurses Janice and Rosie continue providing medical support to local residents simply out of the goodness of their hearts. Together, they represent a lifetime of care that has touched countless lives in this community.

Nominated by a patient

Peter Bonanza

Peter Bonanza was known by everyone in town. For many decades, he was a constant presence in the Incline Village community – someone who, simply by being himself, put a smile on people’s faces. Peter passed away recently, and his loss is felt deeply. We’re grateful to the neighbor who nominated him, and we honor Peter here as someone who reminded us all how much an individual can mean to a place just by showing up with warmth and joy.

Nominated by Christopher Talbot – his friend

Charles Cross

Charles Cross served his country and deeply loved his family. He is remembered and celebrated by his granddaughter Anne Costello, who nominated him with simple, powerful words: “He served our country and deeply loved his family.” Sometimes that says everything.

Nominated by Anne Costello – his granddaughter

Todd Lowe

Todd Lowe has fought for Incline Village residents for a long time – and won. He was a driving force behind the Village League and the landmark lawsuit against unfair Washoe County property taxes, a seventeen-year battle that ultimately benefitted every property owner in this community. He’s also been deeply involved in efforts to explore making Incline Village its own city, working to give residents more control over their own future. As one nominator put it: no one still living has done more to preserve and protect the Incline Village and Crystal Bay way of life than Todd Lowe.

Nominated by multiple community members, including Richard Miner and Diane Becker

Helen Neff

After surviving a near-fatal pedestrian versus car accident, Helen Neff didn’t step back – she stepped up. She became a tireless advocate for road safety for everyone: pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. She’s the driving force behind the widely recognized “Take it Slow, Tahoe” campaign and continues pushing for safety initiatives that protect lives across our region.

Julia Zaitsev

Julia changed a family’s life. As one nominator shared, Julia saved her daughter from years of daily pain – pain that had become a way of life before Julia intervened. The gratitude in that nomination is profound, and it speaks to the kind of transformative impact Julia has had on the people she works with.

Nominated anonymously

Franklin Otis Carroll

Franklin Otis Carroll (the elder) was a pioneering aviator and military leader who “armed the Army Air Force in WWII” as commander of the experimental laboratories at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. He was also the first pilot to land in the cornfield that would become Wright Field – right after WWI. His grandson, who shares his name, nominated him with tremendous pride. A family legacy worth honoring.

Nominated by his grandson, Franklin Otis Carroll

Audrey Suzanne Ayers Carroll

“She has been the rock and anchor of my life for 50 years.” That’s how Franklin Otis Carroll describes his wife Audrey – the strongest, most loving, most loyal person he knows. Behind every great person is often someone even greater, and Audrey sounds like exactly that.

Nominated by her husband, Franklin Otis Carroll

Dave Ward

Dave Ward is a firefighter. To his son Dylan, that – and everything that comes with it – makes him a hero, plain and simple. “My dad is my hero because he is a firefighter and takes care of us.” We couldn’t agree more.

Nominated by Dylan Ward – his son

SPC Robert O’Hare

Robert O’Hare served in the US Army until he passed away in January 2021 from brain cancer. He was a resident of Incline Village who lived his life in service to others – fighting with courage and positivity until the very end, and always ready to help those around him. His mother Cindie nominated him here, and we’re grateful to be able to honor his memory.

Nominated by Cindie O’Hare – his mother

Fire Chief Jason Gibeaut

Beyond his role as fire chief, Jason gives back in quiet, personal ways – helping the disabled, supporting the homeless, and serving as Head of Men’s Ministry at Cornerstone Church. He leads in uniform and out of it.

Nominated by a friend

Lt. Col. Ricardo J. Blanco (USMC, Ret.)

Lt. Col. Blanco has been deployed around the world – El Salvador, Somalia, Iraq (twice) – always ready to defend his country when called upon. His family nominated him here, and we’re proud to recognize his decades of dedicated service.

Nominated by family

Alex “Papa” Sill

Vietnam veteran. Software security expert. Volunteer firefighter. Mr. MacGyver. Porsche lover. And by all accounts, the most incredible dad and grandpa around. Alex “Papa” Sill is the kind of person who quietly accumulates a lifetime of remarkable things – and the people who love him want the world to know it.

Nominated by the Kronenthals & Sills

Julie Malkin-Manning

If you’ve celebrated the 4th of July in Incline Village, you’ve experienced Julie’s magic – you just may not have known it. While families enjoy the parade, festivities, and fireworks, Julie is the one working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen. Her dedication goes far beyond logistics; it’s a reflection of her deep love for this community and her unwavering commitment to making it a place where people feel connected, celebrated, and proud to call home. She’s also known as a standout event planner for IVCBA, always bringing new ideas to life.

Nominated by Linda Offerdahl and Janelle Hibler

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. Every name on this list – and every person who took the time to celebrate someone they admire – is part of what makes this community extraordinary. See you at the parade!

Brought to the community by MOAA – Military Officers Association of America

This Fourth of July weekend, Incline Village is going all out to honor the spirit of American independence –  and the highlight might just be something happening overhead.

On Friday, July 3rd at 12:00 PM, the skies above Incline Beach will be graced by a military helicopter flyover, a powerful and moving tribute to the servicemen and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation. The flyover is proudly presented by MOAA, the Military Officers Association of America, an organization committed to honoring, supporting, and advocating for those who serve.

Meet the Crew

Behind every great flyover is a great crew. This one is no exception:

CW3 Scott Hermanson of Moraga, California, serves as Pilot. A Chief Warrant Officer with the skill and calm that comes from years of dedicated service, Hermanson will be at the controls as the helicopter sweeps over the beach.

Jake McDermott of Silver Spring, Nevada steps into the Co-Pilot seat, bringing his own expertise and pride to this patriotic moment.

And keeping everything running smoothly in the air is SSG Robert Hamond, Flight Engineer, hailing from Reno, Nevada –  just over the hill.

The aircraft flies out of Stead Air Force Base in North Reno, a storied installation with deep roots in Nevada’s military history.

Why This Moment Matters

A military flyover is more than a spectacle; it’s a statement. It says: we see you, we honor you, and we are grateful. In a world that moves fast and forgets faster, pausing to look up at the sky and feel the rumble of that aircraft in your chest is a reminder of the sacrifice and commitment that underpins the freedoms we celebrate every July 4th.

MOAA’s decision to bring this flyover to Incline Village is a gift to the entire community –  a chance for families, children, veterans, and neighbors to share a moment of collective gratitude and pride.

Be There

The flyover is set for 12:00 PM on July 3rd at Incline Beach, right in the heart of the day’s celebrations. Arrive early, claim your spot on the sand or the shore, and be ready to cheer. If you know a veteran or active service member, bring them along – this one’s for them.

The July 3rd celebration also includes the Local Heroes Parade at 10AM, the Community Fair at the Village Green/Aspen Grove (11AM–2PM), and an all-American BBQ lunch by Wild Bill’s. It’s a full day of community, food, fun – and now, a flyover that will give you chills.

See you on the beach. 

Thank you to MOAA and to CW3 Scott Hermanson, Jake McDermott, and SSG Robert Hamond for this incredible tribute to our community.

Mark your calendars – the Local Heroes Parade is returning to Incline Village, and this year’s lineup is one for the books. Whether you’re lining the route with your family or marching alongside your neighbors, this is the community celebration we look forward to all year.

Parade Details

Date: Friday, July 3

Start Time: 10 AM

Route: Southwood Boulevard to Oriole Way to Incline Way to Country Club Drive 

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to grab a great spot along the route. As always, bring your lawn chairs, flags, and a big cheer for your fellow community members.

This Year’s Lineup

The festivities kick off with the National Anthem performed live by Maiia Christoffersen, followed by the Diamond Peak Ski Team led Bike Parade – always a crowd favorite for our youngest community members. From there, the full procession takes over the streets.

Leading the way with full honors is the National Guard Color Guard, followed by the Incline High School ROTC (c/LTC Herrera, c/SSG Alvaro, c/CPL Jurss, Cadet Ponce, Cadet Perez led by First Sergent Philip Risi). After that, a wonderful cross-section of Incline Village and the greater Lake Tahoe community rolls through, representing everything that makes this place so special.

This year’s participants include:

• Parade Grand Marshal Steve Price
• AJ Gan Club (Ron Pizer) with his two Ford Model Ts 
• Reno Mustang Club – carrying our local distinguished veterans
• Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline
• IVCBA (Incline Village Crystal Bay Business Association)
• The Primavera Co.
• Village Pet Foundation
• Rotary Club of Incline Village
• Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
• Incline Village Crystal Bay Veterans Club
• Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation
• Incline Village Community Hospital
• Alpha Club of Incline Village
• Jacked Up
• Kuchulis and Simvoulakis Family
• Old Lake Tahoe Athletic Club (OLTAC)
• Around Tahoe Tours
• American Red Cross of NNV
• Incline Property Management
• Bridget Giroux Design
• Justin’s 1975 Blazer (a classic worth watching for!)
• Glasses Wine Bar
• Jim + Laura Perez
• Incline Star Follies
• Inside Incline | Sabrina Belleci Team |Casa Tua Real Estate 
• Jim Lee 
• North Shore Plumbing
• Pet Network Humane Society
• SQ Enterprises
• Ryan Brooks – IVGID Trustee Candidate
• Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band
• NLTFPD (North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District)
• Incline Village Crystal Bay Republican Women
• Gregg Boyd’s 1980 Trans AM (another showstopper!)
• Washoe County Sheriff Department
• Washoe County Roads & Stormwater

From our local service clubs and nonprofits to our first responders and classic car enthusiasts, this parade is a true reflection of our community’s heart and history. The Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band alone is worth showing up early for.

The Local Heroes Parade isn’t just a parade – it’s a reminder of how much we have to be proud of right here in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Come out, say hello to your neighbors, cheer on the organizations that serve our community every day, and soak in everything that makes this place home. We’ll see you out there!

Note: Parade registration is now closed. 

Get ready, Incline Village and Crystal Bay – the 2026 Tahoe Local Heroes Community Fair is coming, and it’s going to be one for the books. Neighbors, nonprofits, local businesses, and first responders are all coming together for a day packed with connection, fun, and community pride. Here’s a preview of everything you can look forward to.

Washoe County Sheriff Meet & Greet

Ever wondered what’s in a deputy’s toolkit? Now’s your chance to find out. The Washoe County Sheriff will be on-site for an interactive meet and greet, giving attendees of all ages an up-close look at their impressive equipment – think patrol vehicles, tactical gear, and search-and-rescue tools. Come shake hands with the men and women who serve and protect our community every day. If you’ve got a future first responder in the family, this is a can’t-miss stop.

Susie Scoops Ice Cream Contest

Cool off and compete! Susie Scoops – your go-to for ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies, and boba – is bringing the fun with an ice cream contest you won’t want to sit out. Whether you’re throwing your hat in the ring or just cheering (and snacking) from the sidelines, this is guaranteed to be a crowd favorite. Come hungry.

Brand New This Year: Build A Tahoe Bear

Susie Scoops and Village Toys are thrilled to introduce a brand-new addition to the fair: Build A Tahoe Bear! Create your very own Tahoe-themed stuffed bear to take home as a keepsake from the day. It’s perfect for kids and honestly irresistible for adults too. This one’s sure to become a fair tradition – come be part of the first year.

Tahoe Love Local Heroes Merch

Show your Local Heroes pride with official IVCBA X Tahoe-Love Local Heroes merchandise! Head to the Tahoe-Love booth to pick up:

• Limited Edition 250^th T-shirts
• Dad Caps
• Tote Bags
• Parade Clappers
• And the incredible collection of Tahoe-Love merchandise that will help you demonstrate your Love for Tahoe all year long! 

Supplies are limited and will be available while they last following the parade – make sure to swing by early!

New This Year: Bike Parking

Ride your bike to the fair! We’re excited to offer dedicated bike parking for the first time in 2026. Lock up and enjoy the day – no need to worry about a spot. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference, and a great way to enjoy the Tahoe summer on your way in.

Toys for Tots

Want to make a difference while you’re at the fair? Stop by the Toys for Tots booth, where you can purchase a toy on-site to donate directly to kids in need. Holiday gift lifts will also be available, so there are plenty of ways to give back and spread some joy. Come ready to pay it forward.

Live Music: Tahoe Philharmonic Woodwind Quartet

The fair will have a live soundtrack this year! The Tahoe Philharmonic Woodwind Quartet will be performing on the grounds, bringing a touch of beauty and elegance to the afternoon. Stroll the booths, grab some food, and enjoy the music – it’s the perfect Tahoe summer backdrop.

IVGID’s Wild Bill BBQ

No community gathering is complete without great food, and IVGID’s Wild Bill BBQ has you covered. Get ready for smoky, savory BBQ that’ll keep you fueled up all afternoon. Whether you’re grabbing a plate between booths or settling in to enjoy the live music, this is the place to be. Check out the menu on the Local Heroes website at ivcba.org.

Who You’ll See: 2026 Community Fair Participants

The fair is only as good as the people who show up – and this year’s lineup of participants is incredible. Here’s who will be there:

Row A

• Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline
• YamiLeo’s Little Shop
• Tahoe Family Solutions
• Tahoe-Love
• IVCBA
• Incline Village Community Hospital
• North Shore Plumbing
• Sierra Community House

Row B

• Incline Village Crystal Bay Veterans Club 
• MOAA – Military Officers American Association 
• Rotary Club of Incline Village
• Bridget Giroux Design
• Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
• Elevated Water Sports
• Natural Grocers
• SOS Outreach

Row C

• North Lake Tahoe Fire Prevention District
• AYSO Region 995 Incline Village
• IVGID / Diamond Peak
• Renewal by Andersen
• North Tahoe Democrats
• NAMI Northern Nevada
• Pet Network Humane Society
• Tahoe Fund
• Toys for Tots

Row D

• AAUW Tahoe Nevada
• Clean Up the Lake
• Wylie Animal Rescue Foundation
• Veterans Alliance USA
• Incline Village/Crystal Bay Republican Women
• Sustainable Tahoe
• ComputerCorps
• Tahoe Crew
• Tahoe Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet

Special Feature

• Susie Scoops Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Smoothies & Boba

From first responders to nonprofits, local businesses to community champions, the 2026 Local Heroes Community Fair is a celebration of everything that makes this place special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Every year, the Local Heroes Parade gives our community a chance to stop, look around, and recognize the extraordinary people who live among us. This year, we are proud to announce that the 2026 Grand Marshal is a man whose life of service spans continents, decades, and generations: Colonel Steven E. Price, United States Air Force, Retired.

Steve has called Tahoe home for over 40 years, eventually settling in Incline Village full-time in his retirement. During that time, he has woven himself into the fabric of this community as naturally as he once navigated the skies. 

A Life of Extraordinary Service

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1940, Steven E. Price came of age in an era that asked everything of young Americans, and he answered without hesitation. After graduating from Hobart College in 1962 and earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, he went on to complete Air Force Navigation School in 1963, launching a military career that would span three decades and take him to the far corners of the world.

Over nine years of active flying duty, Steve logged an extraordinary 7,655 flight hours, including 1,056 hours of combat. He flew a remarkable range of aircraft, including the SA-16, C-54, C-124, C-141, EC-121R, and the massive C-5 Galaxy, from bases as varied as Goose Bay in Labrador, Canada; McChord AFB in Washington; Elmendorf AFB in Alaska; Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand; and Travis AFB in California.

In the Thick of It: Combat, Command, and Leadership

Steve’s career was defined not just by miles logged, but by the weight of the moments he flew through. His combat tour at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base from 1970 to 1971, serving with the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing (known as the “Bat Cats”), placed him at the center of one of the most demanding chapters of the Vietnam War era.

His leadership trajectory was equally distinguished. He served as Base Commander at Rhein Main Air Base in Germany from 1981 to 1982, overseeing a critical hub of U.S. European operations. As a Principal Staff Officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-4), he played a direct role in the creation, approval, and establishment of USTRANSCOM, the United States Transportation Command, a logistical achievement that reshaped how the American military moves people and materiel around the globe. He later served as Vice Commander of the Keesler Training Center at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, shaping the next generation of Air Force professionals.

His assignments also took him through the highest levels of military planning and policy: Headquarters Military Airlift Command, U.S. European Command, the Air War College (where he graduated with distinction), the Pentagon’s J-4 directorate, and AFSOUTH.

Decorated for Valor

Colonel Price’s service earned him some of the United States military’s most respected honors, including:

• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and “V” for Valor
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals

The “V” device on his Air Medal is not a routine decoration. It is awarded specifically for acts of valor in direct combat, and it speaks to the courage Steve brought to the most dangerous moments of his career.

He retired from the Air Force in 1992 after thirty years of service.

Home in Incline Village

After a career that took him around the world, Steve and his wife Claire, married for 60 years, found their way to the shores of Lake Tahoe and never looked back. Steve has given back to this community with the same commitment he brought to his military career – continuing a life of service on a different, quieter scale: neighbor to neighbor, community to community. 

Join Us to Celebrate

On Friday, July 3, we invite the entire Incline Village community to come out, wave a flag, and cheer for a man who has spent his life in service to others. Colonel Steven E. Price is our 2026 Local Heroes Parade Grand Marshal, and there is no one more deserving of the honor.

Thank you, Steve, for your decades of sacrifice, your years as our neighbor, and your example of what it looks like to show up, every single time.

See you on the parade route.

Friday, July 3 | 8:30–11:00 a.m. | Parade begins at 10 a.m.

The Local Heroes Parade returns this Friday, July 3, and organizers are asking the community for a little patience to keep everyone safe along the route.

Road closures

Village Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.

The parade route – Southwood Boulevard to Oriole Way to Incline Way to Country Club Drive –  will see road closures throughout the area from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.

What to expect

The area will be busy, so drivers and pedestrians should stay alert. The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Pancake Breakfast, at 975 Tanager Street, begins at 8:00 a.m. and typically draws a large crowd.

Cars and floats will stage near Southwood Boulevard and Oriole Way. Walkers and kids will gather a short distance down the route for bike decorating, and the Kids Bike Parade will assemble at the IVGID Administration Building on Southwood to lead the procession.

After the parade

The parade ends at the Village Green, where the community is invited to continue the celebration at the Local Heroes Community Fair and IVGID BBQ.

A few hours of detours aren’t always convenient, but we thank you for your patience and for sharing the road so our community can come together, cheer on our local heroes, and make memories this Fourth of July. See you on the route!

For the full Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration schedule and details, visit IVCBA.org.

Susie Scoops and Village Toys bring a brand-new, build-your-own keepsake to the Village Green on July 3rd, right after the parade.

There’s a new face on the fair circuit this year, and it’s a soft one. Susie Scoops/Village Toys bring the Build A Tahoe Bear Commemorative Edition to the 2026 Local Heroes Community Fair, and it might just be the cuddliest way yet to celebrate America’s 250th right here in Incline Village.

Here’s how it works: kids of all ages stuff and name their very own Tahoe Black Bear. We call him Benjamin – but he’s going home with you, so feel free to give him a name of your own. For $25, you get Benjamin, all the stuffing, and a commemorative 1776–2026 America 250 Lake Tahoe T-shirt to take home with him.

It’s a keepsake built for the moment: a hometown bear, a commemorative shirt, and a memory of the day Incline Village turned out to celebrate 250 years of America together.

Find Benjamin At:

2026 Local Heroes Community Fair

Friday, July 3 • 11 AM–2 PM • Village Green

After the Local Heroes Parade, stop by the Susie Scoops / Village Toys booth and build your new best friend.

Susie Scoops also brings you the annual Ice Cream Eating Contest at 1 PM – don’t miss your chance to compete or just cheer from the sidelines.

Full event details & schedule: ivcba.org

One of Incline Village’s favorite Fourth of July traditions is back!

REGISTER HERE >
SIGN WAIVER HERE >

The Kids Bike Parade, organized by our community event partner, the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation (DPSEF), invites children of all ages to lead the Local Heroes Parade on Friday, July 3. Decorate your bike, scooter, wagon, or tricycle in patriotic style and help kick off one of Tahoe’s most beloved community celebrations.

Whether it’s streamers, flags, pinwheels, or plenty of red, white, and blue, this is a chance for kids to celebrate alongside the firefighters, veterans, first responders, teachers, and community heroes who make Incline Village and Crystal Bay such a special place to call home.

Bike Decorating Kits Support Local Athletes

Need a little extra flair? DPSEF will be selling festive Bike Decor Kits for $15 at the staging area on the morning of the parade.

Every purchase helps support the Diamond Peak Ski Team, funding training, travel, and race opportunities for local youth athletes.

Event Details

Friday, July 3

9:15 a.m. — Check-in and bike decorating

10:00 a.m. — Kids Bike Parade begins

Where to Meet

Walk or ride to the IVGID Administration Building – 893 Southwood Boulevard

Please note that no vehicle parking or drop-offs are permitted at the staging area.

Registration is required:
Register for the Bike Parade

Complete the Participant Waiver

New This Year: Bike Parking at Village Green

When the parade arrives at Village Green, IVGID will have a designated bike parking area at the entrance to the Community Fair.

We encourage families to park bikes here before enjoying the festivities. It helps keep walkways open, creates a safer space for everyone, and makes it easier for kids and families to enjoy all the games, activities, food, and entertainment throughout the fair.

After parking your bike, head into the Community Fair and celebrate with the entire community.

Thank you to the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation for organizing this fun tradition and helping create another memorable Fourth of July for our community.

Questions? Email julie@ivcba.org.

The 2026 Local Heroes Celebration is three days of parades, pancakes, BBQ, and community pride – July 2–4 in Incline Village & Crystal Bay.

We’re just weeks away from one of the best weekends of the year. The 2026 Local Heroes 4th of July Celebration kicks off July 2nd and runs straight through Independence Day – three days of events designed to honor the veterans, firefighters, first responders, educators, and everyday community builders who make life in Incline Village and Crystal Bay so extraordinary.

This year carries extra meaning: as the nation marks its 250th anniversary, we’re celebrating that history right here at home. Because the spirit that built this country? It’s alive in this community, every single day.

Here’s What’s Happening

Thursday, July 2

• 4–7 PM – Incline Tahoe Foundation SummerFest at UNR Lake Tahoe. Games, music, beer tasting, and brats. A perfect opener.

• 7–9 PM – Tahoe Philharmonic: Pops & Patriotic Songs at St. Francis Catholic Church. A beautiful way to start the long weekend under the stars.

Friday, July 3

• 8–10 AM – NLTFPD Flag Raising & Pancake Breakfast at the main Firehouse on Tanager. Come fuel up before the parade!

• 10 AM – Kids’ Bike Parade (led by Diamond Peak Ski Team) rolling straight into the Local Heroes Parade. Line the streets, bring your flags, cheer loud.

• 11 AM–2 PM – Local Heroes Community Fair & BBQ at Aspen Grove. Enjoy a WCSO Meet & Greet, AYSO Socccer Skills, an expo with local organization and buinesses, and a BBQ by IVGID. This is the heart of the celebration.

• 1 PM – Susie Scoops Annual Ice Cream Eating Contest. Enough said.

Saturday, July 4

• 8 AM–12 PM – IVCB Veterans Club Pancake Breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, sausage, blueberries – plus optional mimosas and Bloody Marys. Tickets at the Rec Center or at the door.

• 12:30 PM – Free BBQ at Incline Beach, presented by the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Hot dogs and burgers while they last! (IVGID beach pass required.)

Who’s Your Hero?

We want to hear about the people who make this community extraordinary. The neighbor who shovels driveways without being asked. The coach who shows up rain or shine. The first responder who runs toward danger so the rest of us don’t have to.

Submit your Local Hero at the link below and help us celebrate them during the July 3rd parade and fair. It takes two minutes and means the world.

➤  Submit Your Hero

250 years of America. One remarkable community. Join us.

Full details & registration: ivcba.org

None of this happens without the generosity and commitment of the businesses and organizations that make this community what it is. A heartfelt thank you to our 2026 Major Event Sponsors: Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, IVGID, Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline, Realberry, Renown, TNTNV, Waste Management, UNR at Lake Tahoe, and Incline Village Community Hospital.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors Barton Health and Whittier Trust, and to our Community & Event Partners: Washoe County, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, IVCB Veterans Club, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, Incline Tahoe Foundation, Tahoe Philharmonic, Tahoe-Love, Diamond Peak Ski Team, Susie Scoops, and AYSO Incline Soccer. Your support makes the celebration possible – and your presence in this community makes it worth celebrating.