Top-Notch Family Entertainment on Tap for Holiday : Bands, dancing, parades and fireworks are planned across the county to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.

Country music is as American as hot dogs, apple pie, Mom and pickup trucks. So what better way to spend Fourth of July weekend than kickin’ back and enjoying all the live country entertainment available around the county?

And this is one time when the adage “You get what you pay for” doesn’t apply, because all but two events are free. And every act is top-notch.

Here’s a guide to great family outdoor country listening and dancing:

On Saturday, the legendary Buck Page and his Original Riders of the Purple Sage, who just returned from playing a gig with Waylon Jennings in Montana, will keep your toes tapping 1 to 4 p.m. in front of Carousel Marketplace at Ventura Harbor Village. I’ve seen them perform more than once and they’re not to be missed. And folks of all ages love their classic cowboy music, including hits “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and “Tumbling Tumbleweed.”

There’s a place to dance if the mood takes you, as well as some grassy areas. But bring a blanket because there are never enough bales of hay to go around for benches.

Once you’ve visited Ventura Harbor Village, it won’t be hard to find your way back Sunday to enjoy Sibling Rivalry, a duo featuring Leti Morgan and her brother, Pino Sanchez, from noon to 3 p.m. Their upbeat country singing has been well-received at previous appearances.

As a bonus, the Seaview Cloggers will dazzle you with their footwork from 1 to 4 p.m. near Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and the Boatyard. Bring the kids and cameras because Tony the Pony will also be there for rides and photos.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, performers in Ojai’s Libbey Bowl will donate their time to a free family-oriented variety show. Among the acts will be Buck Page and the Original Riders of the Purple Sage. Local favorites Marvin Johnson--national senior Old Time Fiddlers champion and 11-time California state champ--and accordionist Frank Umbro will also take the stage.

Red Rowe, composer of great country standards including “He Stoped Loving Her Today” and “You Don’t Know Me,” will emcee the whole shootin’ match. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

For free live country music Monday, just mosey around the city of Ventura’s Fourth of July Street Fair. Guitarist Ron Sexton will be playing Chet Atkins licks from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at California and Main streets. From noon to 3 p.m., the Marshall Brothers, one of whom is a former member of Pure Prairie League, will entertain in Plaza Park.

Oxnard-based singing dynamo Rosilee will be belting out a mix of classic, new and original country tunes from 2 to 4:45 p.m. at Fir and Main streets. And during this time, you’ll find the Geary Hanley band playing in Valdez Alley across from the Historical Museum.

You might want to start July 4 off with the annual pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at the Ojai Community Center. Then comes the parade, which starts at the Community Center, moves down Ojai Avenue and ends at Sarzotti Park, 510 Park Road, where there will be a community picnic.

At 12:15 p.m., Raywood will present line dancing, the Sweet Country Band will perform and there will be pie-eating contests to keep you full all year. At 4 p.m., entertainment and family activities will continue at Nordoff Stadium, 1401 Maricopa Highway, finishing with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $2 for children, 12 and under. For details, call 646-0076.

Between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday, Umbro and Johnson will perform on accordion and fiddle during a free, all-day, old-fashioned family festival that also features continuous live music at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley. For information, call 522-2977.

From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, you’ll find plenty to do at the first Community Picnic and Fireworks Show, co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ventura and Ventura College.

Families are invited to bring picnic fare and blankets to the softball fields at Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, where they can enjoy continuous entertainment, including the Sweet Country Band and a musical fireworks display entitled “An American Adventure: A Tribute to the 25th Anniversary of the Americans’ First Moon Landing.”

Charlye Parker and Dave Lawrence from K-HAY radio will emcee the evening, which will include juggling demonstrations, games and vendor booths to keep you busy. But, please leave all pets, glass containers and alcohol at home. Tickets can be purchased in advance at several locations in Ventura. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. At the gate, you’ll pay $8 and $5. For details, call 658-2244.

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John Anderson has a current hit with “I Wish I Coulda Been There for That.” Chances are lots of you regret missing nationally known country recording star and hunk Billy Dean when he and a buddy dropped by Borderline in Thousand Oaks recently. The blond crooner sang with Cactus County and two-stepped with some of our local gals. I was told he may stop in the next time he’s in town because he had such a good time.