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County Bursting With Fireworks

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

When it comes to holiday fireworks, fire officials prefer they be left in the hands of professionals. There are plenty of choices in Ventura County for professional Fourth of July fireworks, along with parades and parties.

Here’s a roundup of activities:

Camarillo

The Lions Fireworks Spectacular will be held at Freedom Park. Gates open at 3 p.m. There will be food, raffles, kite-flying demonstrations, jolly jumpers, rock-climbing wall, obstacle course, trampoline and tsunami slide from 4 to 8 p.m. Entertainment provided by the Ventura County Puppy Dog Raisers, Rob Rio “the Boss of Boogie,” the Flying Calamaries and the Camarillo Community Band. The fireworks show begins at 9:10 p.m. The park is at Camarillo Airport off Pleasant Valley Road between Eubanks Street and Freedom Park Drive. Admission and parking are free.

For information, call 484-8388, Ext. 395.

Fillmore

The Community Fireworks Show will be held on Fillmore High School’s football field, near 2nd Street and Stadium Way. Gates open at 6 p.m. The band Studebaker will perform at 7 p.m. Fireworks will start about 9 p.m. Show and parking are free. Donations will support restoration of the school’s bleachers.

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For information, call 524-1500, Ext. 211.

Moorpark

The city’s Community Services Department will hold the annual Third of July Fireworks Extravaganza from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. Admission is $1. There will be food vendors, music, games, climbing wall, giant inflatable slide and jolly jumpers. The Pop Arts Band will perform at 5 p.m. The Red Wagon Parade begins at 6 p.m. A tug-of-war tournament will follow. Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries perform at 7 p.m. Fireworks start at 9.

For information, contact Arroyo Vista Recreation Center at 517-6300.

Ojai

Holiday activities begin Tuesday with a tri-tip dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. in Libbey Park. A free concert featuring the Nordhoff Jazz Band follows at 7. On Wednesday, activities begin at 6 a.m. with a four-hour Lions Club breakfast at Chaparral Auditorium on Ojai Avenue. A Youth Freedom Run starts from Libbey Park at 9 a.m. A downtown parade starts at 10 a.m., and a Picnic in the Park with food, contests, games and entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m.

The gates open at 5 p.m. at Nordhoff High School for the Fourth of July Concert & Fireworks Show. The concert, featuring karaoke and the Soul City Survivors, starts at 5:30. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 at Nordhoff High School. Tickets are $4 in advance for adults and $2 for children, or $10 for a family with two adults and children under 18. Admission at the gate is $6 for adults and $2 for children.

For information, call 649-2729.

Oxnard

Channel Islands Harbor hosts its fourth annual Fireworks by the Sea throughout the day Wednesday. A children’s parade starts at 11 a.m. at Harbor Landing. There will be food, entertainment, fishing derby, kayak tours, jolly jumper, climbing wall and aquarium. Tours of a 118-foot replica of a Revolutionary War schooner will be offered. Fireworks begin at dusk.

For information, call 985-4852.

Simi Valley

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum will celebrate our nation’s 225th birthday with music, family entertainment, games, presidential look-alikes, face painting, storytelling, food, and patriotic concert by the Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band. Highlights include storyteller Jim Woodard recounting George Washington becoming the nation’s first president. The free activities run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum admission is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and free for children 15 and younger. The library is at 40 Presidential Drive.

For information, call (800) 410-8354.

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and Simi Valley Rotary Club will present the 2001 Fourth of July Extravaganza on Wednesday at Simi Valley High School, 5400 Cochran St. The gates open at 3 p.m. There will be food and craft booths, and performances, including a show by the Blurred Vision skydiving team. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance for adults and $5 for children 4 to 12. Tickets at the gate cost $1 more.

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For information, call 584-4400.

Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Recreation and Park District has planned several free and low-cost activities. A nature walk for all ages will begin at 7 a.m. at the west terminus of Avenida de Los Arboles in Wildwood Park. A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. at Borchard Community Center. Home Run Derbies start at 9 a.m. at Borchard Park. A family open swim runs from noon to 4 at the Thousand Oaks High School and Newbury Park High School pools. Concert in the Park at Conejo Community Park starts at 5 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9.

For information, call 495-6471.

Ventura

The city will offer “A Salute to Our Heroes” during its 26th annual Fourth of July Street Fair downtown from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Pushem-Pullem Parade, in which children and their parents will be encouraged to dress as their favorite American hero, starts at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street. There will be entertainment, kids’ activities, and a food and handicrafts fair. California Street will become a makeshift USO stage at 11 a.m. with a World War II flag raising, F-14 Tomcat flyover and big band entertainment. World War II artifacts will be on display at the Main Street mini-park. Revolutionary War Muzzle Stuffers will drill and fire hourly at Mission Park, and 1940s vintage cars will be displayed at Main and Fir streets.

For information, call 654-7749.

The annual Rotary Club of Ventura / Ventura College Independence Day Celebration stage show, community picnic and fireworks display will be held from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the college athletic field, 4667 Telegraph Road. “The Music of America” will include western music, Broadway tunes, big band music and folk tunes. There will be youth games, strolling entertainers and food. Tickets are $6 in advance for adults and $4 for children ages 4 to 12. Tickets at the gate will be $8 for adults and $5 for children. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.

For information, call 642-2358.

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