Incline Village/Crystal Bay is celebrating summer in a big way with the annual Red, White and Tahoe Blue festival. Now just two weeks away, it promises to be a spectacular three-day festival with many new events along with favorites like the Rubber Ducky Race and fireworks.

RWTB is not only a festival to celebrate America but is always an opportunity for our entire community to work together. The festival has a committee of dedicated volunteers who meet and plan for months. The community supports the festival with donations, and last year, RWTB donated $13,000 to help local nonprofit organizations. Donations are coming in, but the goal is still short so now is the time to help RWTB hit the top.

But what really makes it all happen? A community of dedicated volunteers. This year's festival really offers volunteer opportunities for everyone to do something to participate. In fact, RWTB is hosting a special volunteer gathering at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center. Volunteers receive complimentary RWTB volunteer T-shirts, and it is the volunteers that make all of the festival events special. This is an opportunity to meet neighbors and friends as well as celebrate.

What can you do? Check out the events that are scheduled on the website www.redwhiteandtahoeblue.com from Friday to Sunday. Pick something to sign up for and volunteer then attend the special volunteer gathering and bring others to sign up.

Go celebrate Red, White and Tahoe Blue!

— Jean Eick is community editor of the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza. She can be reached at jeick@tahoebonanza.com.