SeeCalifornia.com

Photo: Students of the Godbey School of Art paint the town “flags” in honor of the 4th of July. We recently saw their work being sold at  Art Walk on Balboa Island, Calif.   Balboa Island loves art and hosts the annual ‘Just Plein Fun‘ July 30 -August 4, 2012. Watch award-winning artists paint scenes on the Island in a unique plein air invitational. On Saturday, August 4th, there will be a ‘Brush Off’ on Marine Avenue from 4-6 p.m., public invited to watch. See more annual events.

There’s more to life than fireworks this 4th of July. In fact, when you see a creative piece of art it may speak to you in a way that sparks something inside your soul, much like the sensation of seeing the sky light up in colors and designs. Fireworks are actually a form of art so it seems only fitting that the art festivals and street fairs would go hand in hand with 4th of July and its symbols–flags & fireworks shows.

2012 Independence Day / Week Art Fairs and Street Fairs  (see annual Art Festivals)

VALLEY CENTER  June 30, 2012 – July 1, 2012 Gourdstock Festival.
WRIGHTWOOD  June 30, 2012, July 1, 2012 Mountaineer Days
MORRO BAY  June 30, 2012 – July 2, 2012 Art In The Park
BRIDGEPORT  June 30, 2012 – July 4, 2012  4th of July Street Faire
CAYUCOS  June 30, 2012 – July 4, 2012 Summer Peddler’s Fair
LAKE TAHOE – SQUAW VALLEY June 30 & July 1, 2012 4th of July Arts & Crafts Festival
SAN CLEMENTE  July 1, 2012  Village Art Fair
LAGUNA BEACH July 1 – August 31, 2012 Festival of the Arts, Sawdust Festival, Art A-Fair
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE July 2 – 3, 2012  Art & Craft Show at The Horizon
HUNTINGTON BEACH  July 1- 4, 2012  Pier Festival / food vendors & arts
MOUNT SHASTA  July 2-4, 2012  4th of July Celebration with arts & crafts vendros
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE  July 2 – September 10, 2012 Tahoe Craft Village
MENDOCINO  July 3, 2012 Mendocino Street Fair Art & Craft Show
APTOS   July 4, 2012 4th of July Arts & Crafts Show
CHESTER  July 4, 2012 July 4th Arts & Craft Show
MISSION VIEJO July 4, 2012  July 4th Street Faire & Fireworks
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE CA July 5-8, 2012  Arts & Craft Show Tahoe Craft Village
SAN DIEGO  July 5- August 30, 2012 Boardwalk Bazaar 6th
RANCHO PALOS VERDES  July 4, 2012  4th of July Country Fair
MAMMOTH LAKES  July 4-7, 2012 Mammoth Celebrates the Arts
BIG BEAR LAKE  July 7-8, 2012 Pine Knot Village Art Walk
OXNARD   July 7-8, 2012 Channel Islands Harbor Fine Art Festival 12th 5.56
PALM DESERT  July 7- 8, 2012  Street Fair
TEMECULA  July 7- 8, 2012  Arts & Crafts Festival
LAKE TAHOE-KINGS BEACH July 7-8, 2012 Fine Arts & Crafts on the Shore