Festivities For the 4th

Here is a preview of some North County communities’ plans for the Fourth of July weekend. A number of communities are still in the planning or fund-raising stages for fireworks shows and celebrations.

Bonsall

* The River Village shopping center will be the site of the community’s second annual charity chili cook-off from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. July 4 in the supermarket parking lot area of the center. The International Chili Society Cook-Off will feature sanctioned chili cookers and a People’s Choice Cook-Off. A $3 admission fee covers chili sampling, live entertainment, and children’s games. Children under 12 get in free. A beer garden will be set up for adults, and hamburgers and nachos will be on sale. The event is sponsored by Bonsall’s Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Woman’s Club, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, and all proceeds go to local charities.

Escondido

* An evening of fireworks and music begins at 6 p.m. July 3 at Escondido High School’s football field, 1535 N. Broadway. Western music and singing kicks off the festivities, and a 40-minute fireworks display with computer-controlled voice and music background begins after dark. The free event is sponsored by American Legion JB Clark Post 14.

* On July 4th, the city will presents its 18th annual Red, White and Blue Day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Grape Day Park. The celebration will feature live performances by North Star and Hickory Ridge Bands and presentations by Clown Mates, the Orion Martial Arts Karate Club and the Escondido Police Department Canine Corps. Food booths and game booths will be set up. Activities for children and adults include a pie-eating contest, balloon toss, parachute games, and relay races. Other attractions include train rides, a clown jump, and a fire engine. Admission is free.

* The Escondido Historical Society Heritage Walk museum complex, also located in Grape Day Park, will be open during the day, and docents will conduct free tours of a restored Santa Fe Train Depot, a World War I and World War II display, a Victorian house, Escondido’s first library, a railroad car and a barn.

Rancho Bernardo

* Rancho Bernardo’s 23rd annual Spirit of the Fourth celebration will be from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. July 4 at Webb Park Plaza on Bernardo Center Drive. Band music, games, relay races, food, a parade and fireworks will be featured. Battery B’s replica of a Civil War cannon will be fired at 11 a.m., followed by similar bursts at noon, 1, 2 and 2:30 p.m. The annual parade begins at 2:30 p.m. with the U.S. Marine Color Guard leaving from the corner of Acena and Lomica drives. The parade heads north on Acena and turns west at Rancho Bernardo Road. The fireworks show begins about 9 p.m. from the high point of Bernardo Heights and will be visible throughout Rancho Bernardo.

* Rancho Bernardo’s Symphony on the Green 1992 Summer Series opens at 8 p.m. July 4 on the driving range of the Rancho Bernardo Inn. The Little River Band will perform a concert under the stars. Grounds open at 5 p.m. for picnicking. Food and beverages will be sold. Fireworks follow the concert. Reserved seating tickets are available through TicketMaster outlets.

San Marcos

* City-sponsored festivities begin with an Over-The-Line Tournament at 8 a.m. July 4 at Bradley Park on the corner of Rancho Santa Fe Road and Linda Vista Drive. Interested OTL teams need to preregister at The Barn, 149 San Marcos Blvd. Evening events begin at 5 p.m. with concession booths, games, dancing, karate demonstrations, train rides, singing and games. At 7:30 p.m., North Star will perform a rock ‘n’ roll-easy listening concert followed by a 20-minute fireworks show about 9 p.m.