Fourth of July is one of the best holidays to celebrate in Venice. June gloom starts to burn off and it finally feels like summer has arrived at the beach. You can go north or south for some pretty fantastic fireworks displays, but the most entertaining spectacles are the ones we have right here in the neighborhood. (Plus, you can see the MdR fireworks show from the south side of the Venice Pier.)

The Venice Sign will be lit in red, white and blue. The Boardwalk is jam packed with performers and vendors. And best of all, we have the annual tradition of rubber duckies bobbing toward the finish line on the Venice Canals. 

The trio of events takes place on Monday, July 4 starting at 1 p.m. There's a community barbecue with hamburgers, turkey burgers and hot dogs for $5 while they last. It'll satisfy the inevitable hankering for an old school backyard burger as you stroll past the many cookouts happening at house parties along the canals.  

The Rubber Ducky Race starts at 1:30 p.m. Hundreds of numbered duckies will be dumped over the Dell Avenue Bridge and the first that floats to Linnie and Eastern Canals wins. 

Next there's the Downwind Regatta at Linnie Canal at 1:45 p.m. According to the rules, "If it floats, it's a boat." The race is open to anyone in the community in a wind-powered boat, and cash prizes include $150 to the most creative entry to finish the race, $100 to the first one past the finish line, $50 to second place and $25 to third place.

It all happens so quickly, so if you want to get in on the Rubber Ducky Race, buy one ahead of time. They always sell out. They'll be one sale this Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Dell Ave and Court D (across from the park).

Venice Canals Fourth of July // 2400 block of Grand Canal (at the intersection of Court C) and along Linnie Canal to Eastern Canal