FETING THE FOURTH : There’s More Than One Way to Celebrate Your Independence This Weekend

While most of the county’s public Fourth of July festivities will take a decidedly traditional tack--fireworks, band music, community games and picnics and a couple of parades--Saturday’s celebration in Huntington Beach will include some events that emphasize international bonds over patriotic fervor.

Following tradition, the city will hold its 88th annual parade from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning on Main Street between 6th and Acacia streets and ending at Main and Clay streets. Gates at Huntington Beach High School open at 7 p.m. for the city’s annual fireworks show.

In between, beginning at 1 p.m., Japanese music will be the focus of festivities at City Hall, with performances by two Taiko drum groups--the local Daion Taiko and the Ansho Diako troupe from Anjo, Japan--along with another group from Anjo called Kajokai, playing traditional stringed instruments. Also, a local group called Ainahau o Kaleponi will perform traditional Hawaiian song and dance.

The performances mark the 10th anniversary of Huntington Beach’s Sister City relationship with Anjo. Central to the festivities is the unveiling of “The Big Picture,” an installation of more than 10,000 snapshots collected in both communities.

The work, designed primarily by Huntington Beach artist Greg Tate, takes up both sides of two specially constructed walls, one 52 feet long and the other 20 feet long. The project is “about a person-to-person exchange,” said Naida Osline, the city’s cultural affairs supervisor. “We thought it would be a really interesting way to personalize the two communities.”

Photos from the two cities are intermingled, although they are roughly grouped by subject and arranged in visual patterns. The work will be on display in the outdoor City Hall Plaza for several months, and Saturday’s ceremony is open to the public.

Meanwhile, one of the county’s biggest Independence Day celebrations opens today at Mile Square Park and continues through Sunday. Attractions include carnival rides, food booths, arts and craft exhibits and a petting zoo, along with contests and entertainment events.

Among the highlights is the Guinness Book of World Records Circus, with shows today, Saturday and Sunday. The musical entertainment includes Eric Burdon (Friday at 9:15 p.m.), Yankee Reggae (Saturday at 9:30 p.m.) and jazz guitarist Ron Masio (Sunday at 5:15 p.m.).

Oh yeah, fireworks (billed as the county’s biggest display) are Saturday at 9 p.m.

FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES ALISO VIEJO

What: Fireworks, entertainment, games and rides.

When: 8 p.m. entertainment, 9 p.m. fireworks.

Where: Sheep Hills Park, Moulton Parkway and Laguna Hill Drive.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 837-6050.

ANAHEIM

What: Disneyland’s expanded fireworks display, rides, shows, attractions.

When: Park is open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.; 9:30 p.m. fireworks.

Where: Disneyland, 1313 Harbor Blvd.

Wherewithal: $23 to $28.75.

Where to call: (714) 999-4445.

BREA

What: Fireworks.

When: Gates open at 7:15; show at 9 p.m.

Where: Brea-Olinda High School, 789 N. Wildcat Way.

Wherewithal: General admission $4 to $6 (under 2 free).

Where to call: (714) 990-7737.

BUENA PARK

What: Knott’s Berry Farm’s fireworks, rides, entertainment.

When: Park open 9 a.m. to midnight (fireworks at 9 p.m.).

Where: Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd.

Wherewithal: $9.95 to $22.95.

Where to call: (714) 827-1776.

What: Entertainment, fireworks.

When: Pre-show at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Bellis Park, 7171 8th St.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 562-3844.

COSTA MESA

What: Entertainment, fireworks.

When: Entertainment at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Orange Coast College LeBard Stadium.

Wherewithal: $5 ($1 for ages 2 to 12).

DANA POINT

What: Entertainment, games, fireworks.

When: Music and games at 4 p.m., fireworks at dusk.

Where: Events at Heritage Park on Old Golden Lantern near intersection of Golden Lantern and Del Prado Road. Fireworks, launched from barge in harbor, visible throughout harbor area.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 496-4251.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

What: Fountain Valley Fiesta, featuring entertainment, carnival rides and games, food booths, fireworks.

When: 11 a.m. to midnight, fireworks at 9 p.m. (festival runs Thursday through Sunday).

Where: Mile Square Park, 16801 Euclid St.

Wherewithal: Admission July 4 is $5 ($1 for children under age 5 and seniors). Fireworks may be seen from other areas of the park without admission fee.

Where to call: (714) 962-4441.

FULLERTON

What: Food and game booths, entertainment, fireworks.

When: Festival begins at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Fullerton High School stadium, 201 E. Chapman Ave.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 738-6575.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

What: Entertainment, fireworks.

When: Pre-show at 7 p.m., fireworks at dusk.

Where: Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St.

Wherewithal: $5.

Where to call: (714) 375-5157.

IRVINE

What: Pacific Symphony concert, fireworks.

When: 8 p.m. concert, followed by fireworks. Grounds open at 6 p.m. for picnicking.

Where: Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, 8800 Irvine Center Drive.

Wherewithal: $10 to $44.

Where to call: (714) 740-2000.

What: Concert, fireworks.

When: Gates open at 3 p.m.; entertainment begins at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Irvine High School, 4601 Walnut Ave.

Wherewithal: $5 to $8.

Where to call: (714) 786-7741.

LAGUNA BEACH

What: Fireworks.

When: 8:30 p.m.

Where: Main Beach, Coast Highway and Broadway.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 497-0706.

LAGUNA NIGUEL

What: Entertainment, fireworks.

When: Music begins at 2 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Road.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 363-0136.

LAKE FOREST

What: Parade.

When: 10 a.m.

Where: Starts at El Toro High School, goes down Toledo Way to Lake Forest Drive, ends at Serrano Road.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 707-5583.

LOS ALAMITOS

What: Food, entertainment, military display, fireworks.

When: Entertainment at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center, Lexington Drive and Katella Avenue.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 229-6780.

MISSION VIEJO

What: Street fair, fireworks.

When: Fair at 2:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Mission Viejo Youth Athletic Park, Olympiad and Melinda roads.

Wherewithal: Free.

NEWPORT BEACH

What: Activities, fireworks.

When: Park opens at 8 a.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, Jamboree Road and East Coast Highway.

Wherewithal: Park entrance is $10 per car.

(Fireworks visible from many points in city.)

Where to call: (714) 644-7666.

ORANGE

What: Entertainment, fireworks.

When: Show at 7:45, fireworks follow.

Where: Fred Kelly Stadium at El Modena High School, 3000 E. Chapman Ave.

Wherewithal: $8 to $10. Children under 3 free.

Where to call: (714) 633-9622.

PLACENTIA

What: Games, activities, music, fireworks.

When: Events begin at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Bradford Stadium at Valencia High School, 500 N. Bradford Ave.

Wherewithal: $1.50 to $4.50 (children under 3 free).

Where to call: (714) 993-8232.

SAN CLEMENTE

What: Fireworks.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: San Clemente Pier, Avenida del Mar. Fireworks visible from beach around pier.

Wherewithal: Free.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

What: Games and contests, music, fireworks.

When: Games at 4:30 p.m., music at 5:45 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Marco F. Forster Jr. High School, 25601 Camino del Avion.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 493-1171.

SANTA ANA

What: Carnival rides, games, fireworks.

When: Open noon to 11 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. (carnival also held Friday and Sunday).

Where: Centennial Regional Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.

Wherewithal: Free admission (parking is $2 per car).

Where to call: (714) 571-4258.

TUSTIN

What: Music, fireworks.

When: Music at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 8:45 p.m.

Where: Tustin High School, 1171 El Camino Real.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 544-8890.

WESTMINSTER

What: Music, fireworks.

When: Entertainment at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Westminster High School, 14325 Golden West St.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 895-2860.

YORBA LINDA

What: Entertainment, fireworks.

When: Activities begin at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.

Where: Valley View Sports Park (behind Yorba Linda Middle School), Elmhurst Circle and Casa Loma Avenue.

Wherewithal: Free.

Where to call: (714) 961-7160.