Happy 4th of July

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Happy 4th of July!

Whatever you are doing today, celebrate and honor the 240th anniversary of our independence from the United Kingdom. The Declaration of Independence was ratified on this day in 1776.

Hollywood Bowl — Courtesy Los Angeles Philharmonic Association/Adam Latham
Hollywood Bowl — Courtesy Los Angeles Philharmonic Association/Adam Latham

There will be parades and fireworks displays all over Southern California; from San Ysidro to Santa Barbara you will find parades and in the evening, the brightly lit skies. And the parks will be open for family picnics and barbecues, but get there early to reserve your spot.

At 2 p.m. today the block party starts at Grand Park in DTLA. You can bring your pets and it is advised bring a change of clothing because you and the kids can enjoy the water in the fountain all day and night.

Then of course there is the fireworks display over the downtown area from Grand Park to end the 4th of July in DTLA. For a great 4th of July display you can also head to Long Beach for the Queen Mary fireworks. It’s always a popular fireworks destination. Head to Pasadena for Americafest at the Rose Bowl. A day of fun and Independence Day celebrations, topped off with a great fireworks display. Over at the Hollywood Bowl the band Chicago headlines a concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. The finale is of course a fireworks display.

Dodger Stadium last year on the 4th of July; the Dodgers hosting the New York Mets. (Claudia Gestro)
Dodger Stadium last year on the 4th of July; the Dodgers hosting the New York Mets.
(Claudia Gestro)

Wanna take in a little baseball? The Dodgers will be hosting the Baltimore Orioles starting today. The game starts an hour early, at 6:10 p.m. and hopefully it will be over after nine innings — with another Dodger win — and you can watch the Dodgers cap off the day with some fireworks. Of course if it goes into extra innings … let’s hope they get the win in nine. Julio Urías gets the start for the Dodgers and Yovani Gallardo steps up for the Orioles.

If soccer is your thing the L.A. Galaxy will be hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps for a 7:30 game followed by a fireworks display. They play at the StubHub Center in Carson.

That’s not a complete list of parades, parties and fireworks displays in the Los Angeles area. You will find fireworks and parades in Redondo Beach, Calabasas, Marina Del Ray, Studio City, Baldwin Park and more. Hit the Google for more.

Spend the day at the beach (Tim Forkes)
Spend the day at the beach
(Tim Forkes)

In Orange County there’s a great fireworks display over Doheny Beach. Tune in your radio for the musical accompaniment. Dana Point will have fireworks over the bay and Fullerton will have a festival with fireworks at Fullerton High School. Or you can head to the Huntington Beach Pier for a parade, festival and fireworks. And of course Disneyland will have its parade and fireworks display.

Further south in San Diego County you can find fireworks all over the county, from Oceanside to El Cajon. One of the biggest — and some say the best — is at Seaworld.  The County Fair, formerly known as the Del Mar Fair, is taking place right now and you can watch their fireworks display. It’s at the Del Mar race track.

The biggest fireworks display on the West Coast takes place in San Diego Bay: the Big Bay Boom. If you have a boat in one of the marinas you’ll have great seats, but for the landlubbers, the best places to watch will be Shelter Island, Harbor Island, The Embarcadero and Seaport Village. If you tour the U.S.S. Midway Museum you can get a great view of the Big Bay Boom from the flight deck. The museum opens at 6 p.m.

Big Bay Boom — Courtesy of the Port of San Diego
Big Bay Boom — Courtesy of the Port of San Diego

Farther inland you can have an entire day of fun at the Mira Mesa 4th of July celebration. It’s an all day affair with a parade, fun zone for kids and fireworks. Escondido will have an all day celebration that will feature the 1st Marine Division Band from Camp Pendleton. It begins at 4 pm., at the California Center for the Arts.

Legoland in Carlsbad will have a fireworks display, as will the U.S. Olympics Training Center in Chula Vista and the Ocean Beach Pier. or spend the day in Coronado. The city will have its annual parade, family fun activities and a fireworks display over Glorietta Bay.

Have fun today, celebrate our Independence Day and stay safe. Leave the fireworks to the professionals, be safe on the waterways and have a great day.