Where the Sparks Will Fly on the Fourth

The following is just a sample of Independence Day celebrations and fireworks hot spots planned around the Southland for Tuesday, the Fourth of July. Grab a blanket and some picnic grub and follow the flags.

* Infield activities get under way at 3 p.m. at Kaboom ’95. Carnival rides, pony rides, petting farm, chili cook-off, salsa contest and classic car show. Stage entertainment begins at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. Adults, $5; ages 6-12, $3; 5 and younger, free; $8 reserved seats; $4 children; $10 box seats; $6 children box seats. Parking, $4 at Gate 17. (909) 623-3111.

* An afternoon of entertainment is followed by the city of Lancaster’s fireworks display at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave., I, Lancaster. Free. (805) 723-6077.

* About 200 booths with food, games, and arts and crafts; free mini-steamer train rides, contests, entertainment and fireworks. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Charles Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. $5 parking; free shuttle. No alcohol. (310) 618-2930.

* Games, food, children’s rides, bands and fireworks at Crescenta Valley High School, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., La Crescenta. $6; children under 5, free. Gates open at noon. (818) 248-4957.

* The Big Bear Lake Rotary Club will host its annual steak barbecue at 6 p.m., just west of the Riviera Marina Resort. Fireworks begin at dark; live entertainment and viewing area provided. Barbecue $10, children ages 12 and younger, $5; fireworks free. 40770 Lake View Drive, Big Bear Lake. (909) 866-7000.

* The Aztec Flyers, sky-diving veterans of Latin American descent, will make a parachute jump at Veterans Administration Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Jump is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Music and military displays, 2-3:30 p.m. Free. (310) 823-1097.

* Live bluegrass, Dixieland, country and jazz bands; old-fashioned games and a picnic area (food and beverages also available). Fireworks at dusk. No alcohol, pets or glass. Ventura College Softball Field, Telegraph and Loma Vista, Ventura. $8, children 3-12, $5, younger than 3, free. (805) 648-1346.

* Ruth Buzzi, Jeremy Miller, Michael Horton and others will join the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Also: 5K run. Fireworks at dusk at Huntington Beach High School stadium, Yorktown Avenue and Main Street. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. $5. Advance purchase suggested: (714) 536-5486.

* Venice Beach’s 90th anniversary Birthday Party and Dance Concert begins 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s, a popular nightspot at 23 Windward Ave. KLSX-FM’s Michael Benner will emcee. Performers include the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Paul Krassner, Linda Albertano and the Venice Beach Boardwalk Streetperformer Review. Cake donated by Planet Earth. Advance $10; $15 at the door. Benefits Alliance for Survival. (310) 399-1000.

* Beverly Hill’s Fourth of July Concert, “A Salute to Americans,” takes place at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 455 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills (across from City Hall). The L.A. Doctors Symphony Orchestra will perform. Free. (310) 550-4654.

* Mount Sac’s 38th annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show is the product of several area communities. Mount San Antonio College Stadium, 1100 N. Grand. $7 adults; children 5-12 and seniors, $5; 4 and younger, free. Box office opens at noon; gates open 4:30 p.m. Entertainment starts 5:30 p.m. Parking, $3; preferred, $5. (909) 595-6138.

* A cookout, carnival games, watermelon-eating contest, tug-of-war, magicians and clowns. Entertainment includes the Plummer Park Drill Team and Plummer Park Youth Talent Show. Sheriff’s and firefighter demonstrations. Admission, food are free. Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (213) 848-6443.

* Battle re-enactments, flag ceremonies, Civil War camp tours presented by the Brigade of the American Revolution. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on the Independence Hall lawn outside Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Free. (Some of the fireworks show taking place all weekend inside the park can be seen from the lawn.) (714) 220 5200.

* Food booths, children’s rides and games, sky-divers, bands and a fireworks display. Cal State Northridge, north campus. Gates open at 2 p.m. Tickets, $12; children 5-11 and seniors, $7. Parking, $3. (818) 341-2428.

* Long Beach Firefighters Memorial Assn.’s annual fireworks display takes place at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, 5000 Lew Davis Drive. Music, canine demonstrations. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. $6; ages 5-11, $5; seniors, $5. No coolers. (310) 493-9007.

* Fireworks will explode over the Queen Mary and Long Beach Harbor on Saturday, with an even bigger display Tuesday. On board, $10; parking, $10. (310) 435-3511.

* A free symphony concert and fireworks will fill Hansen Dam’s open air theater, 11700 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace. 7 p.m. (213) 955-6976.

* Fireworks and a chance to meet the characters from the Batman Stunt Show are highlights at Six Flags Magic Mountain all Fourth of July weekend. Included in park admission: $30; children under 48 inches, $15; seniors, $18; ages 2 and younger, free. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, exit off I-5, Valencia. (805) 255-4111.

* “Celebration USA” features Smokey Robinson, acrobats from Cirque du Soleil and other entertainment followed by air and ground fireworks displays. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. $14-$42; children, $10-$42. Parking, $5. Ticketmaster or (818) 577-3100.