Fun on the Fourth is a go
Your mission, should you accept it, is to plan a rocking, safe Fourth of July, whether for your family, your friends or your foxhound. Read on for options for all types of folks.
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Mission: A full day of excitement
The city of Newport Beach has co-sponsored a massive Fireworks Extravaganza with the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, with a full day of activities from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, followed by the area’s largest fireworks show at 9 p.m. Admission is $50 per car (which includes six wristbands) or $10 for walk-ins. Entertainment options include a Velcro wall, dunk tank, bungee run, cake walk, limbo contest, bounce houses and (for an additional fee) onsite water park admission. A full slate of tribute bands will take the stage from 3 to 9 p.m. Food and beverages will be sold; alcohol consumption is prohibited in all but designated bar areas. For more information, call (949) 729-DUNE or visit newportdunes.com.
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Mission: Double up on fitness and time with Fido
For physical activity with a major “awwww” factor this Fourth, participate in the first-ever Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Community Festival. Everyone is welcome to join the parade, whether they have a bike, a scooter, a wagon, a stroller or a leashed dog. The parade will start at 9 a.m. Monday at the 38th Street Park and traverse down Balboa Boulevard to Channel Place Park, where a festival with carnival games, bounce houses, giant slides, arts and crafts, food, and more will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call (949) 644-3151.
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Mission: Blow stuff up (responsibly)
For the first time, the city of Costa Mesa is extending its “safe and sane” fireworks discharge hours to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday, giving folks the chance to host parties over the weekend rather than on a Monday night. “Safe and sane” sparklers and spinners also will be permitted, provided they are sold through one of the permitted outlets that sets up throughout town each July. Visit https://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us.
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Mission: Honor those who serve
The HMLA-367 Scarface Marine helicopter squadron Fourth of July Flyover is scheduled to appear over the beach about 7 p.m., en route from Huntington Beach to San Clemente. Stop by and cheer them on before the enjoying fireworks elsewhere.
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Mission: Old-fashioned, down-home fun
The city of Newport Beach will join Mariners Elementary School in its eighth annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mariners Park, 1300 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. A parade will start at Commodore Road and Mariners Drive at 10:30 a.m. and make its way to the celebration, where families can participate in a rock climbing wall, bungee run, defender dome, wrecking ball, adrenaline maze, obstacle course and lots more with wristbands that are $15 per person or $10 for toddlers. Face painting and other options will be free. For more information, call (949) 644-3151 or visit marinersfoundation.com.
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Mission: A blinged-out boat escapade
The 54th annual Old Glory Boat Parade, sponsored by the American Legion Yacht Club and American Legion Post 291, starts at 1 p.m. in Newport Harbor. Normally austere boats will put on their red, white and blue best before gliding through the harbor to the sounds of anthems and Sousa marches. The American Legion Post at 215 15th St. will open at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast for $8 per person; a barbecue lunch and dinner with tri-tip and chicken will be available for $10 starting about noon. A band will play from 1 to 5 p.m. Call (949) 331-2034.
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Mission: Get in on the aquatic action
Newport Landing will offer three 2 ½-hour cruises for the Fourth that will allow patrons to be part of the Boat Parade, including the Fireworks Spectacular evening cruise. Cruise admission is $40, or $70 with an unlimited drink package. The evening fireworks cruise from 7 to 9:30 p.m. will give all patrons a front-row seat to the massive city-sponsored display. Call (949) 675-0551.
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Mission: Get ‘All Shook Up’
The Pacific Symphony’s “July 4th Spectacular, A Symphonic Tribute to Elvis,” begins at 8 p.m. Monday at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. Enjoy world-class Elvis Presley tribute artist Kraig Parker; Tom Demer, one of the country’s greatest fiddlers; and a fireworks display. Tickets are $25 and up. Grounds open at 6 p.m. for picnics. Call (714) 755-5799.