4th of July Celebrations in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys

The city of Santa Clarita will be holding its annual 4th of July Parade in Old Town Newhall. This year's theme is "sights and sounds of Santa Clarita." The day will be a fun packed and busy one. Beginning at 6:30AM, there will be an Equestrian staging at Heritage Junction of William S. Hart Park in Newhall. This will be followed by a Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Santa Clarita Rotary Club in the Roger Dunn Golf lot located on San Fernando road. At this time, you can also begin to register for the parade (pre-registration is required for parade participants so check with the committee). Other things on the list of events include Kids Run, 5k Run-Walk, and then the parade itself begins at 9:45AM. Trophies will be handed out at the El Trocadero Steak House on San Fernando Road at the end of the day. For more information visit them online at http://www.scvparade.com .

Just south of Santa Clarita is the equally beautiful San Fernando Valley. This year, the Dennis P. Zine Annual July Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza will be held in Woodland Hills. It will take place between Topanga Canyon Blvd and Califa Av (21820 Califa Ave/ 5800 Topanga Cyn Blvd. in Woodland Hills, CA 91367). Music will be provided by the Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds beginning at 6PM. At approximately 9:05 PM, the audience will be wowed with spectacular firework show with live music in the background. There will be plenty of fun to be had and activities to enjoy. Vendors with various food items from myriads of cultural representations will be there. Children will fun playing in the children's play area designated just for their fun. So come with your entire family for an evening of fun and merriments as we celebrate this great patriotic day in American history. Parking is provided for $15 dollars at the Warner Center parking lots between Topanga and Canoga Blvd or at Califa and Oxnard St. Do not miss this free, once in a year's fun event for anything. For more information, contact the Valley Cultural Center who is the sponsor of the event at 818-704-1358, or visit them online at www.valleycultural.org

In addition, the Annual San Fernando Valley Independence Day Celebration will also be taking place on the 4^th of July. Music and other live entertainment will be provided for free. Food, fireworks, and other activities such as swimming are also available at this one and a half acres of swim lake and picnic area. The celebration will be from 12 noon through 10:00PM at Hansen Dam Recreation area. It is located at 11770 Foothill Blvd. in Lake View Terrace. As I said before, the cost is free, but you have to buy your own food and other extra enjoyment. For More information, you can call the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the sponsor of this event, at 1-888-527-2757, or visit them at www.laparks.org

In Studio City, the Studio City Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the July 4^thStudio City Fireworks Festival at the CBS Studio Center. This family fest will feature a line up of fun activities including music, food, art exhibits, fun and artistic things for children to do, and of course fireworks show. Several businesses will also be there to share their information with interested people, so it will be a great time to have your mini resume handy. The fun will begin at 4:30PM and will run through 9:00PM at the CBS Studio Center. It is located at 4024 Radford Av. in Studio City. The cost for adult is $15 while children are $8. For more information, contact the Studio City Chamber of Commerce at 818-655-5916 or visit them online at www.studiocitychamber.com