Star-Spangled Skies

Cities and communities across Los Angeles County are hosting marching bands, barbecue fare, fireworks and other Americana in celebration of the Fourth of July. All events listed take place Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Alhambra--Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor St. A festival with food, games and entertainment followed by fireworks from 3 to 9 p.m. Free.

Artesia--Artesia Community Park, 18750 Clarkdale Ave. Volleyball, over-the-line baseball, face painting and a moon bounce begin at 9 a.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. (562) 865-6262.

Avalon--Santa Catalina Island. Parade down Crescent Avenue in Avalon at 1 p.m. A barbecue buffet dinner-dance is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Casino Ballroom. Adults, $20; children 3-12, $15; 2 and younger, free. Dinner reservations required. No dinner, $10 (includes view of the fireworks). (310) 510-1520.

Baldwin Park--Sierra Vista High School, 3600 Frazier Blvd. Music begins at 4 p.m. followed by fireworks from 9 to 10 p.m. Free.

Bellflower--Thompson Park, 14001 S. Bellflower Blvd. A four-day carnival runs through Sunday, followed by fireworks today at 9 p.m. Free. (562) 804-1424 Ext. 2268.

Bell Gardens--John Anson Ford Park, 8000 Park Lane. Carnival and fireworks at 9 p.m. Carnival hours: Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 1 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, 1 to 10 p.m. Food, rides and entertainment. Free. (562) 806-7650.

Beverly Hills--Roxbury Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive. A Dixieland jazz band, arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Doctors Symphony Orchestra will give a free concert from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza.

Burbank--Starlight Bowl, 1249 Lockheed View Drive. Livingston Taylor and the Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra begin at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. $7-$10. Advance tickets are recommended. (818) 238-5300.

Castaic--Castaic Lake Recreation Area, 32132 Ridge Route Road. Fireworks set to music. Admission is $20 per car and gates open at 5:30 p.m. (805) 257-4050.

Cerritos--Cerritos Park East, 13234 E. 166th St. A pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., food, games and entertainment. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Claremont--Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hills Blvd. A pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., followed by a 5-K run, a parade at 4 p.m. and a fireworks show at Claremont McKenna College, Burns Stadium, 220 E. 6th St. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5.50 prepaid at the park or $8 at the gate for ages 3 and over.

Commerce--Rosewood Park, 2433 Commerce Way. Music, food and games from noon to 6 p.m. Free.

Cudahy--Cudahy Park, 5240 Santa Ana St. A petting zoo, pony rides, games, music and entertainment beginning at 10 a.m. Fireworks begin at 8:45 p.m. Free.

Culver City--Culver City High School, 4300 Elenda Ave. Gates open at 5 p.m. for picnics (no barbecuing or alcohol). A country-Western band plays at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks. Donations accepted.

El Monte--Arroyo High School, 4921 N. Cedar Ave. Music begins at 6 p.m. Admission: 5 years and under are free; ages 5-11 are $1 and ages 12 and up are $3.

El Segundo--El Segundo Recreational Park, 401 Sheldon St. Food and game booths from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; live music begins at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Free.

El Sereno--Recreation Center, 4721 Klamath St. A carnival and fireworks Friday beginning at 3 p.m. Food, rides and entertainment. Free. (213) 226-1646.

Hollywood Bowl--2301 N. Highland Ave. The fireworks show goes on for three nights beginning tonight, after an appearance by Della Reese narrating “A Lincoln Portrait,” the Mitch Hanlon singers and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by John Mauceri. For ticket information, call (213) 972-7216.

Huntington Park--Huntington Park High School, 6020 Miles Ave. Gates open at 5 p.m. and music precedes the fireworks show at dusk. Free.

Inglewood--Edward Vincent Park, 700 Warren Lane. Food booths, entertainment and dancing begin at 3 p.m. followed by fireworks at dusk. Free.

Irwindale--Irwindale Community Park, 5050 N. Irwindale Ave. Celebration begins at 1 p.m., Mariachi Jalisciense performs, with fireworks at quarry across the street. Free.

La Crescenta--Crescenta Valley High School, 4400 Ramsdell Ave. Children’s rides, swing dancing, entertainment and fireworks at Crescenta Valley High School. Admission $6; children 4 and younger, free. Gates open at 4 p.m. (818) 248-4957.

La Mirada--La Mirada High School stadium, 13520 Adelfa Drive. Beginning today at 5:30 p.m., music, classic cars, face painting and moon bounce. Fireworks begin at 9:10 p.m. Admission: $5 donation requested for adults; $3 for children under 6; $15 for family of two adults with children.

La Puente--La Puente High School, 15615 E. Nelson Ave. Concert precedes fireworks show today. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Free.

La Verne--Bonita High School, 3102 D St. Actor Harry Anderson will be the grand marshal of parade at 10 a.m. Pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., carnival rides, crafts, entertainment and a barbecue. A concert headlined by the Coasters is at 7 p.m., followed by a fireworks show. $6; ages 5-12, $5. (909) 596-2714.

Lake View Terrace--Hansen Dam Park. Carnival runs through Sunday at Hansen Dam Park on Osborne Street. On Saturday, entertainment includes LAPD concert band, noon to 9 p.m.

Lancaster--Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 155 E. Avenue I. Mitch Speed & Mendin’ Fences and the Lovesick Prairie Dogs headline with fireworks. Gates open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Free. (805) 723-6077.

Lawndale--Leuzinger High School stadium, 4118 W. Rosecrans Ave. Live music, game and food booths open at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Long Beach--Veterans Stadium, 5000 Lew Davis Drive. Fireworks display, music by Ronnie and the Classics and a canine unit demonstration. Gates open 5:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. $7; ages 5-11 and seniors, $5. No coolers. (562) 493-9069.

Long Beach--Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor. Fireworks show and disco party. Fireworks will explode over the Queen Mary and Long Beach Harbor today through Sunday, with the largest display Saturday. Disco party Saturday 7 p.m. to midnight, included in Queen Mary admission before 9 p.m., $8 after. Round-trip water taxi to Long Beach Aquarium, $1. (562) 435-3511.

Los Angeles--Plaza Park, Olvera Street. The 151st anniversary of the first Independence Day celebration in Los Angeles begins with a military drill in the plaza at 7:30 a.m., followed by a flag-raising reenactment with cannon and musket fire at Ft. Moore. Living history presentations and family entertainment at Olvera Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants in 1847 costumes and the public may dance to music by a brass band in the plaza from 5 to 7 p.m.

Lynwood--Lynwood High School stadium, 12124 Bullis Road. Food and fireworks, noon to 9 p.m. Free.

Manhattan Beach--Foster A. Begg Pool, Manhattan Beach Intermediate School, Manhattan Beach Boulevard at Peck Avenue. Barbecue, games, swimming, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission $4 per person.

Marina del Rey--South jetty of main channel. Fireworks at 9 p.m. with jazz concert at Burton Chase Park 2 to 7 p.m., and music at Fisherman’s Village. Free. (310) 305-9545.

Maywood--Maywood Park, 4801 E. 58th St. Parade starts at 5 p.m. in front of City Hall, 4319 E. Slauson Ave. Entertainment, fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Free.

Monrovia--Family festival downtown Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Montebello--Grant Rea Park, 600 N. Rea Drive. Music and food, beginning at 3 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Monterey Park--Barnes Park, 320 S. McPherrin Ave. Entertainment, hay rides, moon bounce and games begin at 1 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Northridge--Cal State Northridge, North Campus area, Devonshire Street and Lindley Avenue. The Jennifer York Quartet and Kid Power, skydivers, classic car show, food booths, children’s rides, games and fireworks. Gates open at 2 p.m., music begins at 3 p.m. Admission: $8, children 5-11 and seniors, $5; children 4 and younger, free. Parking free before 4 p.m., $3 after 4 p.m. (818) 341-2428.

Norwalk--Cerritos College, 11110 E. Alondra Blvd. Popular Christian bands Friday and Saturday nights, sponsored by Calvary Chapel in Downey, beginning at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Pacific Palisades--Palisades High School, 15777 Bowdoin St. Music begins at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. (310) 459-7963.

Palisades Park--851 Alma Real Drive. Preregistration 6:30 to 8 a.m., 5- and 10-K races at 8:15 a.m. Parade at 2 p.m. from Via de la Paz along Sunset Boulevard and Drummond Street to Palisades Park. Free.

Palmdale--Palmdale High School, 2137 E. Avenue R. Music begins at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Both grandstand and lawn seating will be available. No alcoholic beverages. Free. (805) 273-3232

Palos Verdes Estates--Rolling Hills Prep School, 300A Paseo del Mar. Bicycle parade, apple pie contest, puppet show, community awards and live music from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.

Pasadena--Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive. The Galaxy soccer team takes on the Kansas City Wiz at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission, $10; children, $7; reserved seating, $14-$17; children reserved, $7-$12. Gates open 5:45 p.m.; parking, $5 before 7 p.m., $10 after 7 p.m. (626) 577-3100, Ext. 5.

Pico Rivera--El Rancho High School, 6501 S. Passons Blvd. Food, game booths and entertainment, begins at 5 p.m. Admission: $3 in advance, $4 at the door. (562) 801-4430.

Pomona--L.A. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Starts at 3 p.m., with carnival rides, pony rides, classic car, motorcycle and BMX bicycle and skateboard shows. Concert by the Shirelles begins at 8 p.m., followed by a ground and aerial fireworks show at 9 p.m. General seating: adults, $5; ages 6-12, $3; 5 and younger, free. Reserved seats: adults, $9; children 12 and younger, $4. Box seats: adults, $12; children, 12 and younger, $6. Parking, $5 at Gate 17. (909) 623-3111.

Rancho Palos Verdes--Point Vicente Park, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Music, dancing, crafts and games, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.

Redondo Beach--Redondo Beach Pier, Pacific Coast Highway. Begins at 1:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. over King Harbor, Free. (310) 374-2171.

Rosemead--Rosemead Park, 4343 Encinitas Ave. Parade on Valley Boulevard begins at 10 a.m., followed by food, rides and fireworks. Admission is $3 for adults, kids free.

San Marino--Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Road. Parade at 5 p.m. at Monterey Road and Huntington Drive, continues to Lacy Park, with food, Dixieland music and fireworks. Free.

Santa Fe Springs--Los Nietos Park, 11143 Charlesworth Road. Horseshoe tournament at 10 a.m., food booths, live bands and fireworks. Free.

San Fernando--Recreation Park, 208 Park Ave. Music and food starting at 1 p.m., fireworks at dusk. Free. (818) 756-361-7155 or (818) 898-1290.

Santa Monica--Santa Monica College, Corsair Field, 16th Street and Pico Boulevard. Festival and fireworks show today, gates open at 5 p.m. with music beginning at 6 p.m. No glass or alcohol allowed. Parking, $3; admission free. (310) 452-9396.

San Pedro--Angels Gate Park, 37th and Gaffey streets. Begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Korean American Friendship Bell on the bluff at the tip of Point Fermin. Music, crafts and games. Fireworks begin at Cabrillo Beach at 9:15 p.m. at Pacific Avenue and Stephen White Drive.

Sierra Madre--Memorial Park, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Parade at Sunnyside Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard beginning at 10 a.m., all-day festival at the park. Free.

South El Monte--Whittier Narrows/Legg Lake, 1601 Rosemead Blvd. A three-day festival with carnival rides, food booths, games and music begins today from 5 to 10 p.m.; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. A special fireworks spectacular will be held Sunday at 9 p.m. Free.

South Gate--South Gate City Park, 4900 Southern Ave. at Tweedy Boulevard. Games and music at 2 p.m., followed by fireworks. Free

South Pasadena--Garfield Park, 815 S. Mission St. Parade begins at Meridian and Mission streets at 11 a.m., ends at Garfield Park, with food and games. Free. Music and fireworks at South Pasadena High School stadium, 1401 Fremont Ave. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission $4.

Torrance--Charles Wilson Park, 2300 Crenshaw Blvd. Food, games, arts and crafts booths. Begins at 11 a.m. and ends with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Free; $5 parking; free shuttle. No alcohol. (310) 618-2930.

Valencia--Six Flags Magic Mountain, 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway. A fireworks show follows the Looney Tunes parade, beginning at 9:15 p.m. The show is included with park admission: $35; children under 48 inches, $17; seniors, $20; ages 2 and younger, free; 10 a.m. to midnight. (805) 255-4111.

Van Nuys--Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave. Gates open at 1 p.m. for entertainment; fireworks begin at dusk. Free. (818)781-1200. Anthony C. Beilenson Park--6200 Balboa Blvd. Fireworks show. No alcoholic beverages. Paid and free parking are available. Information: (818) 765-0284

West Covina--Cameron Park at Cameron and Lark Ellen streets. Pancake breakfast, games, arts and crafts and barbecue from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fireworks at West Covina High School stadium. Gates open at 5 p.m. Free.

West Hollywood--Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. Face painting, food and a barbershop quartet, noon to 3 p.m. Free.

Whittier--York Field, Mulberry Drive and Santa Fe Springs Road. Entertainment and fireworks. Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $5 and children under 10, free.