Canyon Is Ready for a Bang-Up Fourth

As patriots across Orange County get ready for Independence Day festivities, one North County community is going all out to make its celebration memorable.

Canyon Hills Community Council’s ninth Fourth of July activities are themed “Celebration International,” a reflection of the diversity of the neighborhood, said event co-chairwoman Janis Farrell.

A small group of Anaheim Hills residents who wanted to bring the community together to celebrate Independence Day started the event after the city banned the sale and private use of fireworks in 1987.

“There was no place for people to go,” Farrell said. “We started out as a small event at the park, and it has just blossomed into this huge event.”

This year, more than 200 volunteers are working on the celebration. Friday’s events include:

* Firecracker 5K and 10K Walk/Run, 7:30 a.m., Canyon High School, 200 Imperial Highway. Check-in time: 6 a.m. Cost: preregistration, $17; day of event, $20. Information: (714) 490-3855.

* Pancake breakfast, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Rudy’s Pizza, Crossroads shopping center, Imperial Highway and Santa Ana Canyon Road. Cost: $3 for adults; $1.50 for children 6 and younger.

* Yankee Doodle Dog Show, 10:30 a.m., Canyon High School. $50 cash prize for top dog in each category. Entry fee: $7 for each category entered. Information: (714) 637-4327 or (714) 637-3209.

* Food and game booths, open at noon, Peralta Canyon Park at Santa Ana Canyon Road and Pinney Drive. Games: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Entertainment: 6 to 9 p.m.

* Parade, 4 p.m., on Anaheim Hills Road to Santa Ana Canyon Road, ending at Via Cortez. More than 100 entries are registered.

* Fireworks: 9 p.m. Cost: $1 donation requested to help pay for the pyrotechnics.

Parking will be available at Canyon High School. Starting at 4 p.m., shuttle buses will operate between the Crossroads shopping center and the park.

Information: (714) 281-2020.

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Star-Spangled Bashes

Orange County’s Independence Day celebrations begin a day early this year, but most of the activities take place Friday. A look at the festivities:

THURSDAY

Orange: El Modena High School, 3920 E. Spring St. Music, games, food booths, classic cars. Activities begin at 5 p.m., choral concert at 8:15 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Admission: $4, children younger than 6, free. Information: (714) 744-7278.

FRIDAY

Four larger, pricier celebrations highlight Fourth of July offerings; many cities and communities will have their own shows:

Countywide

* Disneyland, 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. Park is open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Admission: $26-$36. Information: (714) 781-4565.

* Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, 8800 Irvine Center Drive. Festivities include a Pacific Symphony Orchestra Concert and fireworks at 8 p.m. Admission: $13 to $54. Information: (714) 855-8096.

* Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Park is open 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission: $11.95-$31.95; $10 for Buena Park residents after 6 p.m. Information: (714) 220-5200 or (714) 827-1776.

* Rancho Santiago Community College District’s community services department is hosting a champagne brunch and Channel Islands cruise. Departure at 7:30 a.m. from Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd. on Amtrak’s San Diegan line. Return at 8:15 p.m. Includes brunch at the Lobster Trap Restaurant. Cost: $99 for adults, $60 for children. Information: (714) 564-6220.

Community Shows

Aliso Viejo

* Aliso Niguel High School Stadium, 28000 Terrace View Drive. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Information: (714) 362-5890.

* Foxborough Park, Deerhurst and Foxborough. Parade at 5 p.m., concerts at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Information: (714) 362-5890, Ext. 207.

Anaheim: Peralta Canyon Park, 115 N. Pinney Drive. Parade and entertainment begin at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission: $1. Information: (714) 254-5191.

Dana Point: Dana Point Harbor; fireworks at 9 p.m. Information: (714) 496-4251.

Fullerton: Fullerton High School Stadium, Lemon Street and Berkeley Avenue. Festivities at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and younger. Information: (714) 374-1535.

Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach High School Stadium, Yorktown Avenue and Main Street. Gates open at 7 p.m. Admission: $5; children 2 and younger free. Information: (714) 374-1535.

Irvine: Irvine High School, 4321 Walnut Ave. Gates open at 3:45 p.m. for events, fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children. Information: (714) 535-1012.

La Habra: La Habra High School, 801 Highlander Ave. Entertainment at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Information: (562) 905-9708.

Laguna Beach: Main Beach, Coast Highway at Laguna Canyon Road. Parking near Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave., or along Laguna Canyon Road north of town. Fireworks at dusk. Information: (714) 497-0700.

Laguna Hills: Laguna Hills High School, Paseo de Valencia and Alicia Parkway. Games, food booths, and music at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Information: (714) 707-4350.

Laguna Niguel: Music by a Motown group at 6 p.m. at Crown Valley Community Park, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway. Fireworks at Laguna Niguel Regional Park off Aliso Creek and La Paz roads, 9 p.m.

Lake Forest: Lake Road and Lake Forest Drive. Fireworks at dusk. Information: (714) 586-0860.

Los Alamitos: Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center, Lexington Drive near Katella Avenue. Gates open at 5 p.m. Entertainment at 6 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Information: (714) 229-6780.

Mission Viejo: Mission Viejo Youth Athletic Park, Olympiad Road near Marguerite Parkway. Street fair and other entertainment at 11 a.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Information: (714) 470-3000.

Newport Beach: Newport Dunes Resort, Jamboree Road and Backbay Drive. Park opens at 7 a.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free for walk-ins, $20 for vehicles. Information: (714) 729-1100.

Placentia: Bradford Stadium, 500 N. Bradford Ave. Entertainment at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for youths and seniors, $1 for children 12 and younger. Information: (714) 993-8232.

Rancho Santa Margarita: Avenida de Las Flores at Santa Margarita Parkway. Entertainment, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Street fair 6 p.m. to midnight. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Information: (714) 589-4272.

San Clemente: San Clemente Pier, Avenida del Mar. Fireworks at dusk. Information: (714) 361-8264.

San Juan Capistrano

* Marco Forster Junior High School, 25601 El Camino Real. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Information: (714) 493-5911.

* San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino del Avion. Softball, food, rides, games, entertainment, 2 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Information: (714) 493-5911.

* Rancho Capistrano, 29251 Camino Capistrano. Rock ‘n’ roll concert, barbecue buffet, Big Band dancing, fireworks, 2:30-10 p.m. Free. Parking $6. Barbecue (reservations required): $9, $5 children younger than 12. Information: (714) 544-5679.

Santa Ana: Centennial Regional Park, Edinger Avenue and Fairview Road. Carnival at noon, entertainment at 1 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Parking $3 per car. Information: (714) 571-4200.

Tustin: Tustin High School, Northrup Field, 1171 El Camino Real. Entertainment at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Free.

Yorba Linda: Valley View Sports Complex in Hurliss Barton Park on Casa Loma Avenue near Valley View Street. Celebration at 4 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Information: (714) 961-7100.

Sources: Orange County Fire Authority, Times reports