Central San Diego
La Jolla Cove: Fireworks at 9 p.m. today. Information: (858) 454-1444.
Lake Murray: The eighth annual Lake Murray MusicFest will be held from noon to 9:30 p.m. today at Lake Murray Community Park, 7001 Murray Park Drive. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Viewing is available from the ball fields on the north side of the lake.
Memorial: A Fourth of July carnival will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. today at Memorial Community Park, 2902 Marcy Ave. Games, rides and food will be available.
Mira Mesa: Today's events include a parade beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Mira Mesa Boulevard and Greenford Drive and ending at the recreation center, 8575 New Salem St. A pancake breakfast is planned for 7:30 a.m. to noon today at the Epicentre, 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd., followed by a “Fun Day” with food, rides, games and entertainment in Mira Mesa Community Park, noon to 9 p.m. Fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. at Mira Mesa High School. Information: (858) 538-8122.
Mission Bay Yacht Club: 1251 Carmel Place. Fireworks at 9 p.m. today. Boat parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Information: (858) 488-0501.
Ocean Beach Pier: Fireworks at 9 p.m. today. Information: (619) 226-8613.
San Diego Bay: Fireworks at 9 p.m. today. Viewing is available from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero and Seaport Village. Information: (858) 751-5755.
The USS Midway Museum, on Harbor Drive, will open its flight deck at 6 p.m. today for fireworks viewing. Tickets are required and are limited. Cost: adults, $10; children ages 6 to 17, $5. Online ticket purchase will be slightly higher. Information: (619) 398-8225 or visit: www.midway.org.
Sea World: Fireworks 9:30 p.m. today. Park admission is $44 to $54; parking is $10. Viewing also available along Crown Point. Information: (800) 25-SHAMU.
Scripps Ranch: The 36th annual Scripps Ranch Fourth of July Festival will kick off with a parade at 10 a.m. today. The parade will begin at Red Cedar Lane and Red Cedar Drive. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hoyt Park. The event will feature free ice cream, music, clowns, face painting and inflatable jumps.
University City: 18th annual Fourth of July Celebration, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, Standley Park, 3585 Governor Drive. The event will include a pancake breakfast, dunk tank, pony rides, monkey bridge, inflatable jump, bike parade, food, music and a beer garden. Information: (858) 336-4437.
Coronado
Tidelands Park: 31st annual Independence Day 15K run and 5K run/walk today. Registration starts at 5:30 a.m. and the race begins at 7 a.m. Event benefits the Coronado Sports Foundation.
Spreckels Park: Art in the Park, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Concert by West Coast Ironworks begins at 4:30 p.m. in the park.
Central Beach: 48th annual rough water swim today. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m. for 9 a.m. swim.
Parade: 57th annual Independence Day parade begins at 10 a.m. today and proceeds down Orange Avenue from First Street to Churchill Place.
Glorietta Bay: Fireworks, 9 p.m. today. Information: (619) 437-8788.
East County
Alpine: The ninth annual Independence Day Parade will begin at noon today in the Crown Hills development at Gentian Way and Victoria Park Terrace in Alpine. Four antique German biplanes will fly over the parade in diamond formation. There will be floats, llamas, horses and entertainment. Parking is available on Victoria Park Terrace. Information: (619) 659-0562.
El Cajon: Kennedy Park, 1675 E. Madison Ave. Food and entertainment from 10a.m. to 9 p.m. today. Fireworks will follow.
Santee: “Santee Salutes,” 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the Town Center Community Park ball fields on Cuyamaca Street, next to Rio Seco School. There will be food, drinks, live musical entertainment, a “fun zone” with inflatables, carnival games, a bungee jump trampoline, rock wall and a fireworks display. Park at the Santee Costco and take shuttle. Shuttle will also stop at the City of Santee Aquatics Center, where use of the pool will be free or at a discount, and the Santee Town Center. The event is presented by the City of Santee and Waste Management Inc. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Information: (619) 258-4100, ext. 201.
Santee VFW: Santee VFW Post 9327 will host its second annual July 4th beer garden and barbecue fundraiser, noon to 5 p.m. today, 9355 Mission Gorge Road. Information: (619) 981-1342.
Spring Valley: Fireworks at the Spring Valley Swap Meet, 6377 Quarry Road. 9 p.m. today.
South Bay
Chula Vista: “Celebrate Chula Vista” festival will be held from noon to 9 p.m. today at J Street Marina View Park. It will feature food, music and entertainment for the family. Fireworks at 9 p.m. (619) 420-6603.
Coors Amphitheatre: in Chula Vista. “Revolution,” the Miles Ahead Crusade, an alcohol-free Christian youth event, 3 to 10 p.m. today. Activities include tailgating, a BMX bike demonstration, kids fun zone, graffiti art exhibition, skateboarding expo and music. A concert featuring Christian artists Kirk Franklin, P.O.D., Lauren Silva and Kin Sol will begin at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the concert. Parking: $10. Information: (619) 223-4622.
National City: Fireworks at 9 p.m. today in Kimball Park. Information: (619) 477-1739.
Coastal North County
Carlsbad: Legoland will offer a fireworks display beginning at 8:15 p.m. today. Park admission is $43 to $53. Information: (760) 918-LEGO.
Del Mar: Independence Day Parade will be at 9 a.m. today at Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd. Children are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, baby strollers and leashed pets to march in the parade. Adults will walk with decorated hats. The mayor and the City Council will lead the march. Hullabaloo will perform after the parade. Free.
Del Mar Fairgrounds: Today is the final day of the San Diego County Fair. A concert by KC & the Sunshine Band and the U.S. Southwest Navy Band begins at 7:30 p.m. today on the Grandstand Stage, followed by fireworks. Free with fair admission; limited reserved seating available.
Other highlights on July 4 at the fair include:
Kids' Day, with free admission for children 12 and younger.
Children's events all day in the San Diego Pavilion on Wylands' Island.
Celebrate Hometown Heroes, all day, San Diego Pavilion.
Knowledge Bowl finals, 11 a.m., Animals Ring 1.
Monster trucks freestyle contest, 1 and 5 p.m., Del Mar Arena.
Wrestling, 2 p.m., Paddock area.
Most Patriotic Costume contest, 3:30 p.m., Paddock area.
“Negative Creep: A Tribute to Nirvana,” 8 p.m., Coors Light Rock-On Stage.
Bill Magee Blues Band, 9 p.m., Finish Line Stage.
Gates open at 10 a.m. Admission is $11 for people 13 and older; $6 for seniors 62 and older. Kids get in free on Tuesday. Information: (858) 793-5555, (858) 755-1161 or www.sdfair.com.
Encinitas: July 4 celebration and pancake breakfast will begin with a presentation of colors, the national anthem, a flag-folding ceremony and the Pledge of Allegiance at 9 a.m. today. The pancake breakfast will continue until 10:30 a.m. Games, contests and music continue until 11:30 a.m. Wear red, white and blue and decorate a bicycle for the American Legion Auxiliary Post 416 “Most Patriotic” contest. Cottonwood Creek Park, corner of Encinitas Boulevard and Vulcan Avenue. Information: (760) 944-5784.
Oceanside: O'Fest Street Fair and Carnival continues today. The carnival with rides and boardwalk games is at the corner of Mission Avenue and Myers Street. It is open today from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The O'Fest Street Fair along Pacific Street and Mission Avenue will offer crafts, international food and retail and information booths from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.
The celebration will culminate in fireworks tonight at 9 p.m. Information: (760) 754-4512.
Oceanside: Community Lutheran Church in Oceanside will host an old-fashioned picnic and barbecue to celebrate Independence Day, noon to 4 p.m. today, 4507 Mission Ave., Oceanside. Guest speakers include the Rev. Ernest Sen, Oceanside City Council member Rocky Chavez and Col. Carl Shelton, USMC. There will also be games and children's activities. An offering will be taken to help start the preschool program this fall. Information: (760) 722-3337.
Oceanside Harbor: More than 20 small boats decorated in patriotic themes will cruise the harbor during the Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade at 1 p.m. today. The floating procession will be judged by members of the Oceanside Yacht Club. Free. Information: (760) 722-5751.
Rancho Santa Fe: Festivities begin at noon, with a parade stepping off at 1 p.m. today in the village of Rancho Santa Fe. The Coastal Communities Concert Band will perform after the parade. Information: (858) 756-1174.
Vista: Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. today at Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. There will be food, beverages, children's games and a display of vintage military equipment. Doctor Feel Good and the Interns of Love, Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame and Rick Robledo and the Working Cowboy Band will perform. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Information: (760) 726-1340, ext. 1141.
“Light Up the Night” is the theme of a gourmet barbecue fundraising event beginning at 5:45 p.m. today at Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Proceeds help fund annual fireworks shows. Fundraiser tickets: $60. Information: (760) 726-1340, ext. 1538.
Inland North County
Escondido: The Independence Day celebration begins at 3 p.m. today and includes performances by the Texas Toothpicks and the Fabulous Ultratones, a magician and circus acts. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido. Free. No pets or alcohol. Information: (760) 745-1159.
Fallbrook: Fallbrook Beautification Alliance will host A Grand Tradition Fourth, starting at 3:30 p.m. today at the Grand Tradition, 1602 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook. There will be a rubber duck race, music by the Surf City Allstars, a barbecue dinner and a silent auction. Cost: $25 for adults; $8 for ages 5 to 13; free for children younger than 5. Proceeds will benefit the alliance's community improvement projects. Information: (760) 728-5845.
Julian: A parade will begin at noon today at Julian Union High School and travel west on Main Street, ending at Frank Lane Park. Pre-parade activities will begin at 10 a.m. Following the parade, American Legion Post 468, the ladies auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion will host an old-fashioned beef barbecue at 2503 Washington St., Julian. Food will be served from noon to 5 p.m. Bands will play from 1 to 10 p.m. Barbecue tickets: $10. Barbecue information: (760) 765-0126. Parade information: (760) 765-1857.
Poway: The city of Poway will have its annual Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Music by the Poway Dixie Strutters, the Continental Drifters, Rancho Bernardo Troubadour Barbershop Choir, Jack Johnson and the Hank Show and the Pomerado Community Band. Free. (858) 668-4585.
Ramona: The Rotary Club of Ramona sponsors a family picnic and fireworks show from 6 to 9:30 p.m. today at Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona. Games for children. A crowd of 5,000 is expected. Bring a picnic or buy snacks from local nonprofit groups. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. with a 25-minute show synchronized to patriotic music on radio station KYXY/96.5 FM. Free. (760) 788-5673
Rancho Bernardo: 37th annual “Spirit of the Fourth” celebration today.
Community festival at Webb Park runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and includes a memorial service at the Veterans Memorial from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. and the 2006 RB Idol contest beginning at 11:40 a.m.
Wheels on Parade contest judging will be at 3:15 p.m. in the parking lot next to Round Table Pizza, 16761 Bernardo Center Drive. Ribbons will be awarded for the best decorated baby buggies, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, strollers, wagons, tricycles, wheelchairs and Big Wheels. All entries should have a patriotic theme, and all entrants should wear appropriate attire in the same spirit. Helmets are required for those riding bicycles and skateboards. Information: (858) 485-5384.
Spirit of the Fourth parade begins at 3:30 p.m. at Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road.
Entertainment and fireworks, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Bernardo Heights Middle School, 12990 Paseo Lucido. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks show begins at 9 p.m.
San Marcos: The city of San Marcos will present its annual July 4 celebration at Bradley Park, corner of Linda Vista Drive and Rancho Santa Fe Road. Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. today with music, games for children, a coed sports festival and food. Fireworks at 9 p.m. (760) 744-9000.
Valley Center: Michael Crews Development will present its sixth annual July Fourth Fireworks Celebration. The Valley Center High School stadium opens at 5 p.m. today. Activities kick off early with music and dancing. For children, there will be a giant inflatable slide, an inflatable obstacle course, a rock climbing wall and games. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. Bring a picnic or buy food at the event. (760) 749-1919, ext. 110.
For more information, visit: www.fireworks.signonsandiego.com.
