Festivities for the Fourth

* The PIERCE COLLEGE FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, now in its 17th year, will offer food and game booths, a sky-diving exhibition with a team of 25 jumpers and live entertainment: Big Band jazz by the S.R.O. Band, country music from American Made, the Aloha Paradise Dancers, The Flash Backs and the Great American Dance Factory. The fireworks show will feature about 800 rockets fired off in rapid succession over 20 minutes. Gates at Pierce College Stadium, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, will open at 4 p.m. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7, $5 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. Parking will be $4. Call (818) 347-4737.

* This year, the SAN FERNANDO FIREWORKS SHOW will kick off the city’s 65th annual San Fernando Fiesta, a community celebration that runs from Thursday to Sunday. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Thursday at San Fernando’s Recreation Park, 1st Street and Park Avenue. Admission is free.

Friday: The Miss San Fernando Pageant begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Odyssey Restaurant in Mission Hills. Tickets are $30. Reservations required. Call (818) 365-9141.

Saturday and Sunday: The festivities continue at Recreation Park with food, games and entertainment from noon to 8 p.m. Some of the musical groups will include El Tiempo, La Vanda Sina Loence as well as folk and mariachi bands. Admission is free. Call (818) 361-1184.

* The CITY OF LANCASTER will sponsor its Fourth of July show at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave. I, Lancaster. Geared toward family fun, the day will begin at noon with magic shows, jugglers, games, a carnival and children’s circus. Four stages will provide continuous music, beginning at 1 p.m. Featured will be Dixieland music by Bourbon Street, a cappella 1950s numbers from The Knights, surf music by Surf City and rock ‘n’ roll from Yesterday. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Call (805) 723-6077.

* The CITY OF BURBANK and its Parks and Recreation Department will present its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at John Burroughs High School Stadium, 1920 Clark Ave. With a “Welcome the Troops Home” theme, entertainment will include the American Heritage Ensemble, which plays Colonial-style music, and trumpeter Art DePew and his orchestra. Gates open at 7 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $3. Call (818) 953-9572.

* CALIFORNIA CITY sponsors its Fourth of July celebration at Central Park, California City Boulevard and Conklin Avenue. Beginning at 10 a.m., there will be craft vendors, games and entertainment. A half-hour fireworks exhibit starts at 8:45 p.m. Admission is free. Call (619) 373-8676.

* “Proud To Be An American” is the theme of this year’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on the North Campus of CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE, Devonshire Street and Zelzah Avenue. Sponsored by the Tri-Chambers of Commerce (Chatsworth, Northridge and Granada Hills), the show will be broadcast live by KMGX 94.3-FM. Gates open at 3 p.m., with entertainment, food and game booths. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $6, $4 for children 12 and under. Call (818) 366-7425.

* The CITY OF SANTA CLARITA will present a variety of Fourth of July events, beginning at 6 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Century 21 office, 24200 San Fernando Road, Newhall.

At 9 a.m., the Independence Day 5-K Run begins at Newhall Park, 24923 Newhall Ave.

“American Independence--Its Beginnings, Its People, Its Events” is the theme of this year’s Fourth of July parade, with state Sen. Ed Davis and his wife, Bobbie, as grand marshals.

The Penny Carnival will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Newhall Park. Two stages with live entertainment will be offered, along with food and game booths and small rides for children. Admission is free. Call (805) 255-4910.

* SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN, Magic Mountain Parkway exit in Valencia off the Golden State Freeway, plans a patriotic fireworks display and a laser performance called “Strictly U.S.A.,” beginning at 9:15 p.m. at Mystic Lake at the amusement park. The program will include 12 minutes of fireworks, plus lasers choreographed to such tunes as “Strike Up the Band,” “Yankee Doodle” and “God Bless America.” The show, open to park guests, will repeat nightly, except Mondays, through Sept. 2.

The CRESCENTA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will present the Family Festival of Fun, with games, kiddie rides, entertainment and fireworks. Gates open at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., at Crescenta Valley High School, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., La Crescenta. Admission is $5, free for children under 5. Call (818) 248-4957).

* Stephen J. Quinn Productions will present CASTAIC LAKE FIREWORKS SHOW, with food, fireworks and family fun. Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $3.50, free for children under 6. Call (805) 257-4050).

* The WOODLAND HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will present “A Salute to the USO,” a fireworks extravaganza put to live music. The show begins at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Los Angeles Pierce College Stadium, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and children. Call (818) 703-7859.