In spite of the weak economy and the June gloom that seems to be stretching into July, most local cities are planning patriotic festivities and fireworks for Independence Day. Here's a roundup of events planned for Sunday (with a few events on Saturday).
CAMP PENDLETON
What: The Ken Grody July 4th Beach Bash 2010 offers a full day of activities at Del Mar Beach on Sunday for local service members and their authorized guests. Schedule includes a Mexican breakfast (7 to 10 a.m.); volleyball tournament (10 a.m.); vendor and food booths; live DJ; six games from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (including trampoline, bounce houses, climbing wall, paint ball, obstacle course and two tattoo parlors); sand castle contest from 1 to 3 p.m.; live music from noon to 10 p.m. (performers include Bill Harris, Hill, Top Dog and Inside Out); car raffle at 8 p.m.; and fireworks after-party, 9 p.m. to midnight. Visit www.mccscp.com/beachbash/.
Where: Del Mar Beach, Wire Mountain Road, Camp Pendleton
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
CARLSBAD
What: Legoland California hosts a fireworks display as part of its all-day Fourth of July party from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Activities include children's potato sack races, water balloon tosses, burlap sack races and paper airplane contests, live music by Jumpitz (from 5:30-7:30 p.m.), and an early-bird fireworks show. All activities are free with paid park admission ($67, adults; $57, children ages 3 to 12; $12 parking). Visit legolandca.com.
Where: Legoland California, 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad.
Fireworks display: 8:30 p.m. Sunday
DEL MAR
What: San Diego County Fair's Fourth of July celebration gets under way at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with a patriotic opening ceremony at the O'Brien Gate. During the day, local people chosen as Hometown Heroes will get free tickets. And at 7:30 p.m. a patriotic music program will feature the Navy Band Southwest followed by a fireworks display (after the fireworks, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will hit the stage at 9:30 p.m.). All events are free with paid fair admission ($7-$13; $10, parking); www.sdfair.com.
Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
ESCONDIDO
What: The city's 11th annual Independence Day Celebration runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday and will include a patriotic tribute by the American Legion, live music by the Marine Band San Diego and other local groups, hands-on children's crafts, circus workshops and a fireworks display. No alcohol or pets allowed. Admission is free. As many as 20,000 are expected, so arrive early for best parking.
Where: Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
FALLBROOK
What: The Grand Tradition's sixth annual July 4th Celebration from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday features a barbecue dinner, live music, military salute, rubber raft race, a silent auction, arts-and-craft booths and childrens' play zone. Tickets purchased in advance are $25 for adults ($35 at the gate), $10 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Parking is $5.
Where: The Grand Tradition, 1602 S. Mission Road
Fireworks display: 8:45 p.m. Sunday
JULIAN
What: The town's annual Community 4th of July celebration begins at 10 a.m. Sunday with military flyovers (a U.S. Navy Skyraider, T-28 Vintage Trainer, four T-34 Trainers), music by the Emerald Society Bagpipe Band and remarks by local dignitaries Dianne Jacob and Kevin Jeffries. From noon to 1:30 p.m., the community's parade (which draws about 10,000 spectators) will take place downtown. And at 1:30 p.m., the American Legion post will host a barbecue with live entertainment on Main Street.
Where: Parade starts at Julian High School and proceeds down Main Street
OCEANSIDE
What: No fireworks again this year, but the city's annual Independence Day Parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday. The 90-minute parade will travel down Coast Highway from Wisconsin Street to Civic Center Way (0.8 miles).
Where: Coast Highway, Oceanside
What: The Oceanside Yacht Club's annual Yankee Doodle Dinghy Parade, where teams decorate small boats in patriotic fashion and cruise the harbor for judging and prizes, takes place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Call 760-722-5751.
Where: 1950 Harbor Drive North
POWAY
What: The city's Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Old Poway Park. Event will include live music, train rides (for a small fee), mock train robberies and gunfights, pictures with Uncle Sam, blacksmithing demonstrations, displays of antique clocks, quilts, cars and model trains, children's old-fashioned games, crafts and face painting, an ice cream social and picnic lunches for sale. Children are encouraged to dress in cowboy/cowgirl clothing. Call 858-668-4576.
Where: Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road
What: Evening entertainment and fireworks at Poway High from 7 to 9:30 p.m. includes live DJ, food and drinks for sale, and games. Admission is $2 for ages 12 and up.
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday at Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road.
RAMONA
What: Ramona Rotary's annual celebration begins at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Olive Peirce Middle School, Hanson Lane
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
RANCHO BERNARDO
What: Billed as North County's largest Independence Day celebration, Rancho Bernardo's 41st annual "Spirit of the Fourth" celebration is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Events include a Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast (7:30 to 11 a.m.); community and vendor fair, children's game and craft booths (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); memorial service at the RB Veterans Park onsite (10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.); the Wheels of Freedom classic and exotic motorcycle and custom car show (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.); Patriotic Dog Contest (9:30 to 10 a.m. ); RB Idol Competition featuring Molly Jenson (11:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.); an Independence Day Parade (3:30 to 5 p.m. along Rancho Bernardo Road, Bernardo Center Drive and Acena Drive). Fair admission is free.
Where: Webb Park, 16796 Bernardo Center Drive
What: Evening entertainment program and fireworks from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Bernardo Heights Middle School, 12990 Paseo Lucido. Performers include Tom & Shondra. Suggestion donation is $10 per family or $5 per individual.
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday at Bernardo Heights Middle School, 12990 Paseo Lucido
SAN DIEGO
What: The Big Bay Boom fireworks show on Sunday, hosted by the Unified Port of San Diego, will feature fireworks fired from five barges stationed in several locations on San Diego Bay, from Imperial Beach to Coronado (tune in 105.7 FM for radio simulcast). There's no bad place to stand along San Diego's harborfront, but arrive early for parking because the annual event often draws 750,000 spectators.
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
SAN MARCOS
What: "America the Beautiful" celebration
What: The city's Fourth of July celebration runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday and includes live music by Southbound Jonny, children's magic show, carnival games, party jumps and food concessions and nonalcoholic beverages for sale. Admission is free.
Where: Bradley Park, 465 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
TEMECULA
What: Pechanga Powwow's annual 45-minute fireworks show, which organizers bill as the state's best, will be held Saturday evening and is the highlight of the three-day gathering of American Indian tribes. Admission is free.
Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Saturday
What: Star Spangled Fourth of July Parade & Festival: Old Town Temecula hosts its annual patriotic parade at 1 p.m. Sunday. The parade will feature equestrian units, floats and city dignitaries. The parade travels north on Old Town Front Street from Second Avenue to Morena Road. A community festival featuring a children's fun zone and food vendors follow from 2 to 10 p.m. in Ronald Reagan Sports Park. Call 951-694-6480.
Where: Ronald Reagan Sports Park, 30875 Rancho Vista Road
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
VISTA
What: The city's 42nd annual "Red, White & Boom" celebration at Brengle Terrace Park begins with park gates opening at 7 a.m. Sunday, so people can stake out their picnic tables. Family-friendly activities are scheduled throughout the day, with food and beverage booths and a display of vintage military equipment. Live entertainment runs from 3 to 9 p.m., with performances by Two of Us Plus One, the All American Boys Choir and the Fabulous Ultratones. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a "Light Up the Night" fundraising barbecue at the Moonlight Amphitheatre, hosted by Famous Dave's and featuring premium fireworks seating. Dinner is $65 (or $500 for a table of eight). Call 760-726-1340, ext. 1571, for reservations. Park admission is free but parking is $10
Free, but parking is $10. Free shuttle service will be offered from Vista High School.
Where: Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive
Fireworks display: 9 p.m. Sunday
