Keep your eyes in skies
By Daily Press staff
While the City of Santa Monica has ceased staging elaborate Fourth of July festivities due to overwhelming crowds, Santa Monica College will play host to an Independence Day Festival on Saturday, July 3.
SMC’s “Celebrate America” features music, the USC Trojan Marching Band and a fireworks show. Admission is free. The gates to SMC’s Corsair Field at 16th St. and Pico Blvd. will open at 5 p.m. Music is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and fireworks should commence at 9 p.m.
Meanwhile, several nearby cities are planning a variety of Independence Day celebrations, many of which also include fireworks: Marina del Ray will host a traditional fireworks show over the main channel, starting at 9 p.m. The show should last approximately 20 minutes. The fireworks will be timed to music broadcasted over FM radio KXLU 88.9.
Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way, and Fisherman’s Village, at 13755 Fiji Way, are recommended viewing locations. The fireworks will be shot from a barge across the Marina’s main channel.
Parking is available throughout the Marina in 14 publicly managed lots. Parking fees range from $5 to $8. Most lots are expected to be full by 6 p.m.
Pacific Palisades will host its annual Independence Day Parade and Fireworks Show. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Sunset and Swarthmore, with the entrance of five skydivers. It will include costumed dogs and a procession of the first babies of the year.
The parade will feature celebrities, politicians and honorees, as well as marching bands and drum and bugle corps.
A 20-minute fireworks show at the Palisades High School football stadium will start just before 9 p.m. Entertainment will begin at about 8 p.m.
Admission is free. Spectators are encouraged to park well away from the stadium in order to avoid a potential traffic jam following the show.
Redondo Beach will host musical festivities, starting at 4 p.m., to be followed by a fireworks show at 9 p.m. The event will be held on the Redondo Beach pier.
The day will also include a special tribute to the honored guards from Redondo Beach’s local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Association.
Music will follow the fireworks show from 9:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Admission is free.
San Pedro will host its annual community Independence Day celebration, starting at 10 a.m. at Angels Gate Park. The park is located at 3601 S. Gaffey St. in San Pedro. Admission is free.
Manhattan Beach will host a pool barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Begg Pool. Admission is $5 per person.
The city will also host a concert in Polliwog Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
West Hollywood will host festivities that will feature live entertainment, games and food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plummer Park. The park is located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. Admission is free.
Woodland Hills will host its “Valley of the Stars July 4th Extravaganza” from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Warner Park. The festivities will include a fireworks show. The park is located at 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Admission is free.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 3, 2004. Read the original PDF.