4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

The spirit of 1776 will light up the skies and dazzle Angelenos with Independence Day celebrations ranging from the patriotic to the zany. 1. Pierce College

6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills

The 21st annual Fourth of July show begins at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-fireworks show, including musical acts, bands, dancers and sky-diving. Advance tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. Parking is $5. For ticket information, call (818) 703-7859. * 2. Castaic Lake

32132 Ridge Route Road, Castaic

A combination of fireworks, music and marching bands will headline the pyromusical “Spirit of America” celebrations at the Castaic Lake Recreation Area. Part of the proceeds will go to the Castaic Middle School library. Advance tickets are $15 per car or van; $20 at the gate. No walk-ins. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (805) 257-4050. * 3. Hollywood Bowl

2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood

The Los Angeles Philharmonic begins the traditional musical celebration with “America the Beautiful.” A grand finale of fireworks will follow such traditional songs as “Shenandoah,” “Beautiful Dreamer” and “God Bless America,” performed by mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. Show begins at 7:30. Reservations required, prices vary. For more information, call (213) 850-2000. * 4. Barnes Park

350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park

Eleven Monterey Park residents will celebrate Independence Day by becoming U.S. citizens at Barnes Memorial Park. The ceremony will kick off a day of pie-eating contests, a water balloon toss, sack races, a horseshoe contest, hayrides, live music and fireworks. Celebrations begin at 1 p.m. Free. * 5. Rose Bowl

1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena

The most lavish fireworks show in Southern California will begin at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The fireworks show will be preceded by acrobats, mariachis, a Mexican ballet troupe and a performance for children. Tickets range from $10 to $42 and are available through Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, call (800) 963-4600. * 6. Mt. San Antonio College

1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut

Revelers who are in the mood for sky-divers, cavalry troops, food booths, band competitions, Power Rangers and Batman, live music, fireworks and canine Frisbee acrobatics can head for the 38th annual “Celebrating the Youth of America” at Mt. San Antonio College. Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and children 5 to 12. Preferred seating is $10 and parking is $3 to $5.

Also, a fireworks display will be held at Rowland Heights High School, 20312 Crestline Drive, Walnut. * 7. Fairplex

1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona

In addition to fireworks, the annual Kaboom Celebration will feature pig races, carnival rides, a dunking tank, a petting farm, food booths, musical entertainment, a classic car show and a chili cook-off. The event starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 12. Parking is $4 at Gate 17. For information, call (909) 623-3111. * 8. Queen Mary

1126 Queens Highway, Pier J, Long Beach

Go aboard the Queen Mary and watch the fireworks explode over Long Beach Harbor, or watch free from the shore. A 30-minute fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. Parking is $10 in the Queen Mary lot. General admission is $10, admission for children 4 to 11 is $6 and children under 4 are free. For more information, call (310) 435-3511.

The Long Beach Fire Department’s annual fireworks display will take place at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, 500 Lew Davis Drive. Adults $6, senior citizens and children 5 to 11, $5. Show starts at 5:30 p.m. * 9. Avalon Bay

Santa Catalina Island

Islanders kick off the celebration with dinghy races at Two Harbors and an old-fashioned parade on Crescent Avenue featuring the Marine Corps Band. The parade begins at 1 p.m. Free. Visitors may take part in a Fourth of July dinner dance at the historic Casino Ballroom, from which they can view the fireworks display. Reservations required. Call (310) 510-1520. * 10. Venice Beach Recreation Center 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach

Venice Beach will hold its annual muscle contest, featuring couples moving and posing to music at 2 p.m. Registration fee. Spectators free. (310) 399-2775.

Other communities offering authorized fireworks displays are: Agua Dulce, Alhambra, Artesia, Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens, Burbank, Cerritos, Claremont, Downey, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendora, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Crescenta, Lancaster, La Verne, Lawndale, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Marina del Rey, Maywood, Montebello, Palmdale, Rosemead, Santa Fe Springs, Saugus, South Gate, South Pasadena, Torrance, Valencia and West Covina.

Note: Only 38 of Los Angeles County’s 88 cities still permit “safe and sane” fireworks. For information about other fireworks celebrations and questions about fireworks in your area, call the county Fire Department at (800) 900-3473.