COUNTYWIDE : Fourth of July Holiday Events : Independence Day celebrations in Ventura County include:

TODAY

Ventura: The city starts celebrating early with the “Dawn’s Early Light” fireworks display at 5 a.m. on the beach next to the pier at Harbor Boulevard and California Street. At 4 a.m. the local Kiwanis will have a pancake breakfast, for $4, next to the parking structure at the pier.

Children under 18 can participate in the Pushem Pullem parade starting at 10:30 a.m. at Cemetery Park, located at Hemlock and Main streets. This year’s theme is “Our Planet Earth” and only non-motorized vehicles such as wheelbarrows and wagons may be used.

An eight-block street fair on Main Street, from Fir Street to Ventura Avenue, will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a variety of live music including Dixieland jazz, country, pop and Big Band sounds. And about 400 artisans will display and sell their works.

Camarillo: The “Fourth of July Spectacular, A Carnival of Family Fun,” starts at 1 p.m. at Freedom Park, located at Pleasant Valley Road and Freedom Park Drive. It will feature Dixieland jazz, magicians, bluegrass music and food vendors. A Kiddie Karnival for ages 5 to 12 will offer rides and game booths. There will be a celebrity softball game at 3 p.m. and a teen-agers dance at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youngsters 5 to 17 and for senior citizens. Children under 5 are admitted free.

Fillmore: Festivities start at 2 p.m. at the Fillmore High School football field at A and 1st streets. The Pinewood Derby, a race with go-cart type vehicles, begins at 2 p.m. Children’s activities, including games and relay races, start at 6:30 p.m., and the rock group Memo will perform at 7 p.m. Fireworks are to begin between 8:30 and 9 p.m. Admission is free.

Ojai: The annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Ojai Avenue and Country Club Drive and will travel up Ojai Avenue to Sarzotti Park, where it will end in a potluck picnic. Food may also be purchased from vending booths.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m. at Nordhoff High School, 1401 Maricopa Highway. The city has received numerous phone calls from citizens concerned about fire danger, and the display is subject to cancellation by the Fire Department if conditions are deemed unsafe. All events are free.

The Fourth of July Holiday Concert will be held at 8 p.m. at the Festival Bowl in Libby Park, located at Ojai Avenue and Signal Street. The Ventura County Symphony, under the direction of Frank Salazar, will perform works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, Dvorak and Brahms. Tickets are $15; call 643-8646 for information.

Oxnard: The city will hold its celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Oxnard High School Stadium at the corner of 5th and K streets. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and no one will be admitted after 8:50. Musical entertainment begins at 6 and continues until the fireworks display at 9.

The Coolers, a local band, will play hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, and the Jill Michaels Band from Santa Barbara County will play country and Western songs. The cost is $5 for adults, and $3 for children 5 to 12 and for seniors. Tickets are available at the door and in advance at the Oxnard auditorium, 800 Hobson Way. The daytime street fair was canceled this year because of city budget cuts.

Simi Valley: The “Fourth of July Fireworks Show and Extravaganza” will be held at the Simi Valley High School stadium, 5400 Cochran St. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. and the entertainment includes a visit from the Blurred Vision Sky Diving Team with more than 20 divers using colorful parachutes, smoke displays and stunt performers. The fireworks display starts at 7:45 and is provided by Pyro Spectacular, the company that put on the fireworks show for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Thousand Oaks: The events will begin with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road. There will be live entertainment and door prizes. Admission is $3, and seniors and children under 5 get in for $1.

A senior citizen home-run derby will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Conejo Community Center at Dover and Hendrix avenues. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and costs $2. The entire family can join in on games at the center from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There will be a concert featuring patriotic tunes from 3 to 5 p.m.; call 495-2163 for information.

Fireworks can scare animals, and the Humane Society and animal control officers are especially busy around Independence Day because many pets run away. Some are injured.

Animal enthusiasts recommend keeping pets in a house or garage during this time. A radio or television can be left on to drown out the noise of fireworks. When pets are taken outdoors, they should be on a substantial leash and wear an identification tag.

To locate a lost pet, contact the Department of Animal Regulation at 654-5000 or the Humane Society of Ventura County at 656-5031 or 646-6505.