Americafest

1.  Americafest:  for $13 per ticket, you get a full day (2pm until end of fireworks at 9pm) of festivities which includes a drum corps performance, and a place to watch the fireworks under the clear skies above the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

2.  The Queen Mary:  Two days of music, food, and access to the grandiose Queen Mary are capped off with an amazing fireworks show over Long Beach Harbor at 9pm on Sunday.  Tickets start at $21.95 for adults.

3.  The San Fernando Valley:  The Valley Cultural Center’s show at Warner Park requires no ticketed admission, just some serious jockeying for position on the day’s crowded grounds.  As part of the summer concert series, the July 4th event includes musical acts, food vendors, games and rides for the kids, and a safe pyrotechnics show right over the tree-tops.  An alternative view in the area is at the top of the parking garage at the nearby mall.  You can see shows all over the city from this point.

4.  Marina del Rey:  Fireworks are launched from a floating barge in the harbor, and can be seen from any clear spot along the shoreline.  Parking fills up fast, but public transportation is available.  As with any beach vantage point though, be forewarned that a foggy night can kill your view of the show.

5.  Hollywood Bowl:  fireworks!  With bonus!  Vince Gill!  Tickets are still available.

Queen Mary

[photos from Rose Bowl and Queen Mary websites, respectively]

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Summer is officially full on!  June is quickly becoming a memory (it’s been two whole days now) and it’s time to turn focus to July.  July is a special month for us as a nation for in this month we celebrate one of the most significant events in our short history.  My birthday!

Some like to think that the parades and fireworks displays, backyard barbecues, cookouts and community gatherings centered around the July 4th weekend are in celebration of our nation’s independence.  Whatever helps you sleep at night, friends.  That stuff is for me!

Actually, it’s not.  My special day isn’t until the 10th.  Fact is, Read More »

Patriotic Party Time

Naja’s Place, a divey little bar on the Redondo Beach Pier south of Los Angeles, CA, is known for its endless selection of beers from around the world.  On July 4th they open at 10am and the band, Land Sharks, starts at 8pm.  Flag t-shirts are on sale now for $10.  The pier is accessible by foot, bicycle, car, or boat.

A very patriotic ice skater

North Idaho’s Silverwood Theme Park, located on Hwy 95 between Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, is the Pacific Northwest’s largest amusement park.  Each 4th of July, they feature a fireworks extravaganza to light up the sky.  That’s after a day of train rides, rollercoasters, water slides, and a very colorful ice show featuring a cast of champion caliber skaters.

Photo by Phil Corless