Fourth of July Activities Sure to Light Up the Skies

Grab your food and flags to take part in one or all of the San Gabriel Valley’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Thursday morning parades will take place in Glendora, Rosemead, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and West Covina. Residents can get an early start at a pancake breakfast in South Pasadena or at a flag-raising ceremony in Hacienda Heights.

Children can try their hands at the Independence Day chalk drawing contest in Arcadia or pet a lamb or other furry animals at Fairplex Park in Pomona. Country music, patriotic songs and other tunes will be playing at celebrations in a number of city parks.

While most San Gabriel Valley cities don’t allow residents to set off their own fireworks shows, residents can take in the city-approved booms and cascading lights that will end many of the day’s activities. Fireworks extravaganzas at the Pasadena Rose Bowl and the Pomona Fairplex Park might appeal to some. Others may opt for smaller-scale shows sponsored by various other cities.

Some cities allow individuals to use fireworks deemed “safe and sane” by the state fire marshal, such as sparklers and cones. These cities are: Alhambra, Azusa, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, Monterey Park, Rosemead, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City and Walnut. In Duarte, these fireworks are permitted south of Royal Oaks Drive.

Some cities are getting a jump on the holiday. On Wednesday, there will be a 7 p.m. concert at La Puente High stadium, 15615 E. Nelson Ave., followed by fireworks at 9. Also on Wednesday, Sierra Madre will host a 6 p.m. concert at Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

On Thursday, just about everybody will get into the act. Here is a look at Fourth of July festivities in San Gabriel Valley cities: Alhambra Carnival, fireworks; 2 to 10 p.m.; Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor St. Altadena Tall Singles Fourth of July barbecue, fireworks and swim party; 604 Devonwood Road, Altadena; 3 p.m. to midnight; $3. Arcadia Independence Day sidewalk chalk drawing contest for children entering first through ninth grades; 1:30 p.m.; sidewalk at Baldwin Avenue and Duarte Road. Chalk and prizes provided.

Holiday bowling tournament at Bowling Square, 1020 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; 11 a.m. The entry fee is $20.

Music, dancers; two shows: noon and 2 p.m.; Santa Anita Fashion Park, 400 S. Baldwin Ave. Baldwin Park Carnival from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; musical entertainment from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; fireworks at 8 p.m.; Sierra Vista High School, 3600 N. Frazier Ave. Claremont Carnival; 10 a.m.; Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.

Holiday speeches; noon; Fourth of July oratory platform, Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.

Parade; 4 p.m.; from Memorial Park to Larkin Park, 650 N. Mountain Ave.

Fireworks; dusk; Claremont McKenna College football field. $4. Covina Carnival, music; 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Covina Park at 4th Avenue and Badillo Street. El Monte Ethnic dancers, country-Western music, fireworks; 6:30 p.m.; Arroyo High School, 4921 N. Cedar Ave.; adults $1, children 12 and under, 50 cents. Glendora Parade; 10 a.m.; from Bennett and Glendora avenues to Finkbiner Park, 159 N. Cullen Ave.

Contests, music; noon to 3 p.m.; Finkbiner Park, 159 N. Cullen Ave.

Carnival and fireworks; 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Citrus College parking lot. Hacienda Heights Flag-raising and salute to veterans; 8 a.m.; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 16750 E. Colima Road. Highland Park Union Brass Band; 2 to 4 p.m.; Heritage Square, 3800 Homer St.; $4.50, adults, $3 seniors and youths ages 12 to 17. Irwindale Carnival, fireworks; 1 to 10 p.m.; Irwindale Park, 5050 N. Irwindale Ave. La Puente Picnic and games; noon to 4 p.m.; La Puente Park, 501 N. Glendora Ave. La Verne Carnival; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Roynon Elementary School, 2714 E St. Monterey Park Bands and games, fireworks; noon to 9 p.m.; Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave. Pasadena Barbecue, entertainment; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.; Center members $3.50.; non-members $5; Children under 7 $2.50.

Pasadena Pops Orchestra; 6 p.m.; Plaza Pasadena, Garfield Court off Green Street. Free.

Fireworks; 7 p.m. at the Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive; $12 to $16 for adults, $6 to $8 for children through age 12. Pomona Classic car show, chili cook-off, petting zoo, music, fireworks; 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fairplex Park, 1101 W. McKinley Ave.; adults $5, children 5 to 12 $3. Rosemead Baby contest, 9 a.m.; Rosemead Park, 4343 Encinita Ave.

Parade, 10 a.m.; from Walnut Grove Avenue and Valley Boulevard to Rosemead Park, 4343 Encinita Ave.

Carnival, fireworks; noon to 10 p.m.; Rosemead Park. San Dimas All-American diving team, ‘50s rock-and-roll band and laser light show; Raging Waters, 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; fireworks at 8:30 p.m. ($16.95 all day, $8.95 after 5 p.m.). San Marino Parade, 5 p.m.; from Huntington Drive and San Marino Avenue to Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Road.

Music; 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Lacy Park. Sierra Madre Parade; 10 a.m.; from Sunnyside Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard to Sierra Vista Park, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Music, games, picnic; noon to 6 p.m.; Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. South El Monte Contests, music; 4 p.m.; New Temple Park, 1450 Lidcombe Ave.; fireworks begin at 9 p.m. South Pasadena Pancake breakfast; 7 a.m. at Security Pacific National Bank parking lot, 901 Fair Oaks Ave.

Parade; 11 a.m.; from Meridian Avenue and Mission Street to Garfield Park, located at Mission Street and Park Avenue. Picnic and games; noon to 3 p.m.; Garfield Park.

Fireworks; dusk; South Pasadena High School football field. $3. Temple City Picnic, games; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Live Oak Park, 10144 Bogue St. West Covina Parade; 9:30 a.m.; from Glendora Avenue and State Street to Cameron Park, located at Lark Ellen and Cameron avenues.

“Dixieland All-Stars” band; The Plaza shopping center, 112 The Plaza Drive, West Covina; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (free).

Picnic, contests; 11 a.m.; Cameron Park.

Fireworks; 5:30 p.m.; Mt. San Antonio College football field. Adults $8, children 6 to 14 $4, children under 6 free.