Seeing the Lights

The sky will be aglow Friday night with fireworks, following a day packed with Fourth of July festivities around the Southland. Here is just a sample of the Independence Day celebrations, ranging from community picnics to pyrotechnic extravaganzas. Consult your local fire department for information on other fireworks displays, then grab a blanket, a picnic basket and prepare to watch the sparks fly.

What’s more American than baseball? Fireworks and baseball, following the Angels-Seattle Mariners game in Anaheim. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Anaheim Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry Way. Only $7-$8 seats remain. (714) 625-1123.

Beverly Hills’ Fourth of July festivities include family games and entertainment in Roxbury Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive, 1-4 p.m., with a concert by the Doctors’ Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 455 N. Rexford Drive (across from City Hall). Free. (310) 550-4761.

The Big Bear Lake Rotary Club will host its annual steak barbecue at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at dark; live entertainment and viewing area provided. Barbecue $15, children 12 and younger $10; fireworks free. 40770 Lake View Drive. (909) 866-3537.

Burbank’s Starlight Bowl, 1249 Lockheed View Drive, is the site of “Catch the Stars,” with fireworks and a concert. Beachfront Property headlines, preceded by the Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra at 7 p.m. $5-$20. This event usually sells out, so call for tickets. (818) 238-5300.

The Jennifer York Quartet, the country music band Carne Country and big-band and children’s music are all part of the annual Tri-City Independence Day celebration at Cal State Northridge, north campus. Food booths, children’s rides and games, sky-divers, bands and a fireworks display are included in the celebration. Gates open at noon. Tickets, $8; children 5-11 and seniors, $5. Parking after 4 p.m., $3. (818) 349-5680.

Fireworks and music will combine for the pyromusical “Heritage of America” celebration at the Castaic Lake Recreation Area, 32132 Ridge Route Road, Castaic. The Cal State Northridge water ski team will give an exhibition on the lake. Tickets: $15 in advance per vehicle; $20 at the gate. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. (805) 257-4050.

Catalina Islanders kick off the celebration with a children’s festival at Two Harbors and a parade on Crescent Avenue, featuring the Marine Corps Band. The parade begins at 1 p.m. Free. Visitors may take part in a Fourth of July dinner-dance at the historic Casino Ballroom, from which they can view the fireworks display. Dinner reservations required ($20). (310) 510-1520.

The Culver City Block Party includes volleyball and basketball, food and music, followed by a view of the fireworks from the Culver City High School football field. Bring meat to grill, dish to share. Culver Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd. 5-10 p.m. Free. (310) 390-7717.

Games, food, children’s rides, deejay spinning contemporary tunes, all followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Crescenta Valley High School, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., La Crescenta. $6; children under 5, free. Gates open at noon. Reservations required. (818) 248-4957.

Infield activities get underway at 3 p.m. at Fairplex’s Kaboom ’97. Carnival rides, pony rides, petting farm and classic car show. Stage entertainment begins with the Coasters 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 6-12; $10 box seats; $6 children box seats. Parking, $5 at Gate 17. (909) 623-3111.

Fullerton residents can see a fireworks show and holiday festival, including a Dixieland band, at Fullerton High School Stadium, Berkeley Avenue and Lemon Street. Adults, $5; children under 12, $3. Gates open at 4 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. (714) 738-6545.

Tickets are going fast for the Fourth of July celebration over three days at the Hollywood Bowl. This year, the “Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular” features Trisha Yearwood in concert with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by John Mauceri, and the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $3-$67. Children get in for half price. (213) 480-3232 for tickets and (213) 850-2000 for information.

The Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade features Dawn Wells (“Gilligan’s Island”) and Huntington Beach’s own Jamie Renee Smith (“Dante’s Peak”). The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Also: 5K run at 7 a.m. 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.

The Pacific Symphony and the Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles present “All-American Anthem,” patriotic melodies by Gershwin, Bernstein, Sousa and Joplin topped off by a fireworks display at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, (714) 755-5799. 8 p.m. Tickets $13-$54.

Independence Hall outside Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, will be open for free Fourth of July festivities Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. “Patrick Henry” will give his “give me liberty or give me death” speech there, and fireworks (visible inside and outside the park) will be shown both days at 9:30 p.m. (714) 220 5200.

La Verne plans a weekend-long celebration with a four-day carnival, along with Fourth of July festivities that include a pancake breakfast (7 a.m.), parade (10 a.m.), barbecue and entertainment, topped off with a fireworks display. Las Flores Park, 3175 Bolling Ave. Carnival hours: today, 5-10 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Free. (Unlimited rides, today and Saturday, $6.95.) (909) 599-3531.

An evening of entertainment, starting at 6 p.m., is followed by the city of Lancaster’s fireworks display at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Ave. I. Free. (805) 723-6077.

Long Beach Firefighters Memorial Assn. presents “The American Journey” fireworks show at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, 5000 Lew Davis Drive. Music and canine demonstrations are included. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. $7; seniors and ages 5-11, $5. No coolers. (562) 493-9069.

The Marina del Rey Fireworks Spectacular offers a free fireworks display, with best viewing from Burton Chase Park, Fisherman’s Wharf and surrounding businesses. (310) 305-9545.

Newport Beach celebrates with a family picnic. Games and refreshments follow a bike parade at 10 a.m. at Mariners Park, Irvine Avenue and Dover Drive. Free. Fireworks in Newport Beach are scheduled at the Newport Dunes hotel, where a day of music, games and children’s activities are planned ($20 per car). (714) 644-0510.

Perris Auto Speedway hosts a night of sprint car racing, followed by a fireworks display. Racing 6 p.m.; fireworks 10:30 p.m. Perris Auto Speedway, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris. $15; reserved, $18. (909) 940-0134.

Fireworks will explode over the Queen Mary and Long Beach Harbor on Friday and Saturday, followed by the KBIG-FM disco dance party on board both evenings. Fireworks both days at 9 p.m. Friday, 9 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 8:30 p.m.-midnight. $12; seniors and active military, $10; ages 4-11, $8; party, “Titanic” exhibit and behind-the-scenes tour, $20. (310) 435-3511. Fireworks cruises in the harbor are offered from Belmont Pier, 7:30 to 10 p.m. $12; ages 12 and younger, $7.50; reservations: (562) 434-6781.

Fireworks follow music at the Redondo Beach Pier. The concert features steel band and reggae music, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. On Saturday, a concert featuring the Red Elvises is planned at the pier. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Both events are free. (310) 374-2171.

The Rose Bowl isn’t offering its usual grounds show and fireworks display, but fireworks will follow the Galaxy soccer game Friday vs. the New England Revolution. Game time is 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena. General admission, $9; children, $7; reserved seating $14-$17; children reserved $7-$12. Ticket office opens at 3:30 p.m.; gates open 5:45 p.m. Parking, $5. Ticketmaster: (213) 480-3232. Information: (818) 577-3100, Ext. 5.

The city of Santa Monica invites the whole family to join performing artists, jugglers and giant puppets in a holiday stroll in Palisades Park. Parade begins in the park at Arizona Avenue and travels south to Colorado Avenue, 1-3:30 p.m. (310) 390-3810.

Fireworks at Six Flags Magic Mountain are included in park admission: $35; children under 48 inches, $18; seniors, $20; ages 2 and younger, free. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, exit off Interstate 5, Valencia. (805) 255-4111.

Rowland Heights is having fireworks and a concert by the Rowland High School Band at Rowland High football field, 2000 Otterbein Ave. Begins at 8 p.m. Adults $5, children $3. (818) 965-3448.

Temecula celebrates the Fourth with a parade at 10 a.m. in Old Town, followed by a festival in Rancho California Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. Activities are from 2-9 p.m., including live music, food, games and fireworks at dusk. Free. (909) 694-6480.

Independence Day begins in Thousand Oaks with a concert in the park, featuring the Conejo Pops Orchestra, at Conejo Community Park, Dover and Hendrix Avenue, at 5 p.m. The fireworks, from Oak Mall parking lot at Hillcrest Drive, follow. Free. (805) 381-2747.

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 from Civic Center or Del Amo Fashion Center. No alcohol. (310) 618-2930.

Live bands and stage shows, children’s entertainment, games and a family picnic area (food and beverages also available) will be followed by fireworks at dusk. No alcohol, pets or glass. Ventura College Softball Field, Ashwood Avenue, between Telegraph and Loma Vista, Ventura. Gates open at 5 p.m. $8; children 3-12, $5; younger than 3, free. (805) 642-6797.

Carnival games, entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments are planned in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. The Plummer Park Drill Team, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters will be on hand. Free. (213) 848-6530.

A tip for anyone who parties too hearty: The Automobile Club of Southern California will provide a free ride home for drinking drivers and their vehicles. Any time on Friday, motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver in the 13 Southern California counties the Auto Club serves may call 800/400-4AAA for a free tow home of up to seven miles.