SUMMERTIME : Patriot Games: 4th of July Roundup : New citizens will be sworn in and parks will offer barbecues, music and games. Rockets will glare from Thousand Oaks to Castaic Lake.

For many children, the Fourth of July seems extra special, for no better reason than it comes smack dab in the middle of summer. There isn’t another holiday in sight for months. So what better way to beat the heat than with picnics and music and, of course, fireworks.

And regardless of age, these are still pretty good reasons.

“It’s a wonderful day for people to come together and have a good time,” said Jess Margarito, director of the 66th annual San Fernando Fireworks Show. “We have a real feeling of community here, and this holiday gives us the chance to express it.”

But fireworks aren’t the only tradition that the city of San Fernando will honor this year.

About 100 new American citizens will be sworn in before the show.

“Sometimes we forget the meaning behind July 4. It’s more than just a party,” Margarito said. “It’s about education, setting goals, becoming something and giving it back to those who are less fortunate. We are so proud of these new Americans. They add another layer of strength to our community.”

The fireworks begin at 8:15 p.m. at San Fernando’s Recreation Park, 208 Park Ave. Admission is free. For information, call (818) 361-7155.

To continue the spirit of the Fourth of July celebration, this year the city will hold its annual San Fernando Fiesta on July 18 and 19 at the same location. Included are games, carnival rides for children, entertainment and refreshments. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call (818) 361-1184.

Here are other Fourth of July celebrations:

* Lancaster will sponsor its fifth annual Fourth of July Show at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave. I. Family fun and entertainment will be stressed at this daylong event that begins at 12:30 p.m. There will be strolling clowns, magic shows, games, carnival rides and several stages with music ranging from golden oldies and rock ‘n’ roll to surf tunes.

The “sky concert” will begin at 9 p.m., with as many as 800 rockets being fired off. Admission is free. Call (805) 723-6077.

* Burbank will hold its fourth annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show at John Burroughs High School Stadium, 120 Clark Ave. Called “Discover America,” this year’s show will feature historical vignettes surrounding such patriotic themes as the American West and the Statue of Liberty.

Art Depew and His Orchestra will play big-band music before the fireworks display, which is set to begin about 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $4. Call (818) 953-9572.

* Santa Clarita will present a variety of Fourth of July events, beginning with a 9 a.m. Independence Day 5-K Run at Newhall Park, 24923 Newhall Ave. The “Stars and Stripes Festival,” scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the park, will emphasize family fun. There will be several stages with continuous entertainment from jazz and rock bands to classical ensembles and dancing. The event is free. Call (805) 255-4910.

* Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia will offer its Fourth of July Fireworks Show in addition to its regular rides and entertainment. “Batman” is the theme of this year’s 20-minute fireworks extravaganza beginning about 9:15 p.m. at Mystic Lake. The amusement park is off the Magic Mountain exit of the Golden State Freeway.

Admission is $25, $16 for senior citizens, $14 for children under 48 inches and free for children 2 and younger. Call (805) 255-4111 or (818) 367-5965.

* “Discover America” is the theme of the 14th annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Entertainment Show at the North Campus of Cal State Northridge, Devonshire Street and Zelzah Avenue. Sponsored by the Tri-Chambers of Commerce (Chatsworth, Northridge and Granada Hills), activities will begin at 2 p.m., with lots of family contests such as the Great American Water Balloon Toss, Revolutionary Tug of War and the Betsy Ross Pie-Eating Contest. Entertainment includes the Coasters and a sky-diving performance.

The 45-minute fireworks show, which includes ground as well as aerial displays, begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7, $5 for children 12 and younger. Parking is $1. Call (818) 341-2428.

* Los Angeles County, Castaic Lake State Recreation Area and Quinn Productions will present the second annual Fourth of July Miracle Fireworks Show at Castaic Lake. The aerial show will begin at 9:15 p.m. with about 1,100 shells being fired into the sky. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Live entertainment will include Ron Marshall and the Silver Creek Band and the George Stone Big Band with members from William S. Hart High School. Following the fireworks until midnight, three rock bands, The Regulators, Red Rebel Devils and The Jesters, will perform.

The lake is off the Parker Road exit of the Golden State Freeway. Admission is $10 general, $5 for children 6 to 12, free for children under 6; a portion of the proceeds will go to Comic Relief. Call (805) 257-4050.

* The Conejo Recreation and Park District will sponsor its annual Fourth of July activities throughout the day at various locations. Most events, unless otherwise indicated, are free. Call (805) 499-4355.

The morning nature walk for the entire family will run from 7 to 9 a.m., beginning at Wildwood Park on Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks.

A pancake brunch will be held from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park. For details, call (805) 498-3124.

The Fourth of July Family Festival Celebration will run from noon to 5 p.m. at Triunfo Park, Triunfo Canyon Road and Aranmoor Avenue, Westlake.

Activities include a rodeo, children’s games and a country-style hoedown.

The Concerts in the Park series will kick off its season from 3 to 5 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, Dover and Hendrix avenues, Thousand Oaks. The Conejo Concert Band will play a variety of popular American selections.

Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. at the Oaks Mall, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

* “Fourth of July Spectacular,” an afternoon of family entertainment and activities sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, will begin at 2 p.m. at Camarillo’s Freedom Park, Pleasant Valley Road and Freedom Park Drive. Fireworks will start at dusk.

Admission is $5, $3 senior citizens and students, and free for children under 5. Call (805) 482-1996.

* The Fourth of July Festival at Pierce College, sponsored by the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce, will mark its 18th year with a wide array of live entertainment, ranging from the Flashbacks and the San Fernando Banjo Band to the S.R.O. Band and a team of about 25 sky divers.

There will also be vendors, games and food booths.

Last year’s event drew about 15,000 spectators, so get there early; the stadium’s gates will open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $7, $5 for senior citizens.

Parking is $4 at the college, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. Call (818) 347-4737.