The McNears Beach Park pier, smashed by a wayward barge more than two years ago, will reopen Saturday amid festivities featuring a ribbon cutting, a county supervisor and park rangers handing out bagels and fishing gear.

The San Pablo Bay pier was badly damaged on Jan. 4, 2008 by a 270-foot barge that broke free during a big storm.

San Rafael-area Supervisor Susan Adams will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting celebration at 9 a.m., and park rangers will loan fishing gear to residents who want to try their luck for sturgeon, striped bass and halibut. Although a license is required to fish from a boat and from shore, no license is needed from the pier.

Adams is expected to make brief remarks, and coffee and bagels will be served, according to Chris Branham, county parks and open space superintendent.

"The pier has certainly been missed by families and fishermen and we are excited to have it once again open to the public as a cherished community asset," Adams said.

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