Patriots, revelers and sun worshippers packed North County beaches and parks by the thousand on Friday, marking the 232nd anniversary of the nation's founding before the night was lit up by rockets' red glare.

In Vista's Brengle Terrace Park, families and groups of friends sat on blankets draped across grassy hillsides, set up canopies and awaited the night's fireworks.

In Oceanside, the annual O'Fest celebration was the highlight of a day mostly obscured by fog. Authorities noted a respite from the dangers that sometimes arise at crowded waterfronts, but the fog also obscured the fireworks display, which at least one family had awaited since dawn.

At Grape Day Park in Escondido, magicians and circus performers entertained children, as a giant Uncle Sam waved a flag from atop a pair of stilts. Several thousand people had converged on the park as sunset approached.

In Rancho Bernardo, several hundred heard excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the ringing of a "Liberty Bell" patterned after the original in Philadelphia.

As of 8 p.m., public safety agencies had reported no grave mishaps at the organized events.

A piece of history

Vista's Independence Day celebration included food booths, a fundraising barbecue, and musical entertainment in the Moonlight Amphitheatre. Cousins Lynda Garcia and Eva Salazar of Vista said they preferred the park's easygoing atmosphere to crowded beaches. Salazar said the annual event also brought back memories of their childhoods.

"We used to come here when we were little, and we were reminiscing about how the playground has changed," she said.

San Diego resident Hope Peterson said the Vista celebration was a new tradition for her family, but "my husband's family has been coming here since they were kids."

Peterson passed the afternoon playing cards with relatives in the Moonlight Amphitheatre, but said she was mainly looking forward to the evening's fireworks.

"It's one of the best in San Diego that I've seen, and I've been here my whole life," she said.

Setting the patriotic tone Friday was a display of World War II military vehicles, including a 1942 Cadillac Light Tank.

Gary Harper, of Ramona, said his company Harperhaus, which provides military weapons and equipment for TV shows and motion pictures, regularly displays vehicles at events to remind people of the nation's history.

"You can't get that from a book or the TV," he said.

Thunder, no lightning

The mood in Oceanside was sunny for O'Festers who lounged on picnic blankets and shoppers who traipsed among numerous stands at the festival as they waited for the fireworks display over the ocean.

Longtime resident Esther Newman said she has celebrated the Fourth of July in Oceanside for the last 55 years.

"I haven't missed one," said Newman, who wore a jacket resembling an American flag. "It's Oceanside; we're paradise here."

She said the celebration symbolizes what she loves most about the city. "Everyone smiles, and they are just so happy here," she said.

The event included entertainment for all ages, including children's activities and musical performances at the Oceanside Amphitheater.

For Maryann Haro, who had traveled 50 miles from Perris, the rock music made the day. Haro said her family arrived at the crack of dawn to grab a spot by a fire pit that her daughter, Angelisa, scouted the day before.

She said O'Fest has become a beloved family tradition, bleary-eyed arrivals and all.

Oceanside resident Lorraine Sherwood called the crowds unappealing. She said her family came to the event for the shopping but planned to watch the fireworks from home.

She probably didn't see much. Councilman Rocky Chavez, who watched the display from a walkway near the pier, said late Friday evening that he had been able to see only the largest and the brightest of the bursts.

"It wasn't spectacular," Chavez said. "I heard 20 minutes of fireworks, but you couldn't see anything."

Lifeguard Dieter Swank said the city's beaches had been plenty crowded, but tame currents hadn't required any serious rescues there.

In Encinitas, senior lifeguard Larry Giles said the day had been somewhat busier than most. One body surfer, a 48-year-old man, was taken to a hospital after striking his head on a sandbar.

A police officer in Carlsbad said no serious incidents had occurred there by late afternoon.

'Freedom is even sweeter'

At Escondido's Grape Day Park, Tina Inscoe said she appreciates an atmosphere that kids and parents can all enjoy. Inscoe is the director of annual giving at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, one of the event's sponsors.

Marine Chief Warrant Officer C.E. Harris, now stationed at Camp Pendleton, said that after two recent tours, he was not as eager to see the fireworks as he had been as a child. Harris's father, a former Marine who served in Vietnam, was also there.

"My favorite part is family and barbecues and seeing other people enjoy their Fourth," Harris said. "I've always loved the Fourth of July, but coming home, freedom is even sweeter."

Joe Watt, commander of American Legion Post 149 in Escondido, said patriotism had coursed through the city's annual celebration for the 45 years the post has been a sponsor.

"The patriotism comes out every time, whether it's wartime or not," he said.

"Still independent"

At an all-day event at Webb Park in Rancho Bernardo, volunteer community fair director Bill Angus welcomed a "rare opportunity for neighbors to get together. With the numbers of military and veterans in San Diego County, it's very hard for us not to remember the Fourth of July," he said.

Angus said more than 5,000 people were expected to visit the fair, an afternoon parade and evening fireworks show.

Retired Navy Lt. Bill May and his wife, Rose May, of Mira Mesa arrived dressed in colonial-era garb. He was in the uniform of the Continental Army. Rose May said she and her husband educate younger generations about the Revolutionary War.

"When we're in parades, the kids will yell, 'Look, Pirates of the Caribbean,' and their parents are so embarrassed," she said. "We're here to promote patriotism."

Staff writer Chris Bagley and freelance writers Renee Haines and Shannon Wingard contributed to this report. Contact Bagley at (760) 740-5444 or cbagley@nctimes.com.