Holiday Blasts

Concerts, parades and fireworks displays are some of the major events Westside residents will have to choose from to celebrate the nation’s 219th birthday.

To start the festivities, Santa Monica College presents its annual “Celebrate America” program beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. Entertainment includes Dixieland music by the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders and the rhythm and blues of the Derek Bordeaux Group. Fireworks cap the evening at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free.

At the Hollywood Bowl, the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs its annual “America the Beautiful” concert on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings starting at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks after each concert. Advance ticket purchase is required. Prices range from $3 to $25; children under 12 are admitted for half price. Information: (213) 850-2000.

In Pacific Palisades, Independence Day starts with 5-K and 10-K runs beginning at 8 a.m. in Palisades Park. Registration is $15, or $10 without the commemorative T-shirt. Later, more than 30,000 spectators are expected at the Palisades Community Spirit parade, which begins at 1:45 p.m. Six sky divers will land at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Swarthmore Avenue to start the parade, which will feature marching bands, floats and celebrities. The parade will continue down Sunset to Bowdoin and Drummond streets and end at Palisades Park. At 8 p.m. a free concert followed by a fireworks display will be presented at Palisades High School. Admission is free.

In Beverly Hills’ Roxbury Park, the city presents a program of games, craft booths and a Dixieland band from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The city of West Hollywood and the community organization Good Neighbors will sponsor its annual 4th of July celebration with a watermelon-eating contest, a tug-of-war and games.

The eclectic beach community of Venice celebrates not only the nation’s birthday but its own as well on July 4 with a party and dance concert. KLSX radio personality Michael Benner, the rock group Strawberry Alarm Clock, political humorist Paul Krassner and performance poet Linda Albertano will be on hand to wish Venice a happy 90th. The canal-lined, beachside resort “Venice of America” opened July 4, 1905. The party starts at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Club, 23 Windward Ave. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Reservations: (310) 399-1000.

In Culver City, the sky will light up with a fireworks display that includes a musical program. Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. at Culver City High School. Admission is by donation.

Fireworks will also be ablaze over Marina del Rey. The 14th annual pyrotechnics show, which is free, will start at 9 p.m. above the marina’s south jetty.