WITHOUT Christmas' rampant commercialization or New Year's bittersweet hue, the Fourth of July makes a good case for being America's best holiday. Other than the speeches by gasbag politicos, there's a certain unpretentiousness about the Fourth that is quintessentially American.
No long trips to the mall; no elaborate meals to cook; no fancy clothes to wear. Picnics? Yes! Baseball? Naturally! Hot dogs? Most definitely! Music? Of course!
But the holiday's primary allure is something else. It's not the hot dogs or the music or the patriotic speeches that make people go "ooooh" and "aaaahhhhh" each Independence Day.
It's the fireworks.
*
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
All events are taking place Tuesday unless noted otherwise.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Artesia Fireworks at 9 p.m. Artesia Park, Elaine Avenue and South Street, Artesia. (562) 860-3361.
Baldwin Park Festivities begin at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Sierra Vista High School, 3600 Frazier St., Baldwin Park. Free. (626) 960-7741.
Bellflower Bellflower's Independence Day carnival runs July 1-3; noon-11:30 p.m. Sat., noon-10 p.m. Sun., noon-11:30 p.m. Mon. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Monday only. Thompson Park, 14001 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower. Mon. Free. (562) 866-8614.
Burbank A holiday concert starring the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Drifters, the Crew Cuts, the DeMarche Sisters and Mary Lou Metzger will conclude with a fireworks display. Gates open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Starlight Bowl, 1249 Lockheed View Drive, Burbank. $7-$120, advance purchase required. (818) 525-3721.
Calabasas Fireworks at 9 p.m. Calabasas High School, 22855 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. (818) 222-7177.
Castaic Lake Holiday festivities begin at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. All-day entrance to the park is $25 per car or $5 per person. Castaic Lake Recreation Area, 32132 Ridge Route Road, Castaic. (661) 257-4050.
Cerritos Fireworks at 9 p.m. Cerritos High School, 12500 183rd St., Cerritos. (562) 924-3336.
Catalina Island Fireworks at 9 p.m. can be viewed from anywhere in Avalon. Free. (310) 510-1520.
Claremont Holiday festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with live music and other attractions; fireworks at 9 p.m. Pomona College, 340 N. College Ave., Claremont. $6-$8. (909) 399-5460.
Commerce Fireworks at 9 p.m. Rosewood Park, 5600 Harbor St., Commerce. (323) 887-4427.
Cudahy Fireworks at 9 p.m. Cudahy Park, 5220 Santa Ana St., Cudahy. Mon. Free. (323) 773-5143.
Diamond Bar Fireworks at 9 p.m. Diamond Bar High School, 21400 Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar. (909) 594-1405.
Dodger Stadium Fireworks display at the conclusion of the game between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Game time is 6:10 p.m. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., L.A. $6-$200. (323) 224-1459.
El Monte Fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Downtown El Monte, Tyler Avenue between Concert Street and Sally Tanner Drive, El Monte. Wed. (626) 459-4113.
Gardena 9 p.m. Rowley Park, 13220 S. Van Ness Ave., Gardena. (310) 515-9456.
Hollywood Bowl 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular This year's celebration features singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins along with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Timothy Muffitt conducts. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. Sun.-Tue., 7:30 p.m. $8-$111.
Huntington Park Festivities begin at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Huntington Park High School, 6020 Miles Ave., Huntington Park. (323) 584-6218.
Irwindale Gates open at 4 p.m.; races begin at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks. Irwindale Speedway, 13300 E. Live Oak Ave., Irwindale. Sat. $5-$25; 5 and younger, free. (626) 358-1100.
Lakeview Terrace All-day festivities will conclude with fireworks at 9 p.m. Hanson Dam Amphitheatre, 11770 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace. (818) 768-1128.
Lancaster Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; music begins at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Avenue H at the 14 Freeway, Lancaster. Free. (661) 723-6077.
Lakewood Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on the Del Amo Boulevard side of the Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood and Del Amo boulevards, Lakewood. Sat. (562) 633-0437.
Lawndale Fireworks at 9 p.m. Leuzinger High School, 4118 W. Rosecrans Ave., Lawndale. Sat. (310) 219-2750.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum A fair and jazz concert in Leimert Park, corner of 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard, will be 1-7 p.m. followed by fireworks from the Coliseum. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., L.A. Free. (213) 485-7616.
Lynwood Festivities begin at 1 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Lynwood City Park, Bullis Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Lynwood. (310) 603-0220.
Malibu Fireworks at 9 p.m. from a barge offshore near the 30100 block of Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 456-2489.
Marina del Rey Fireworks at 9 p.m. Fisherman's Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. (310) 305-9545.
Maywood Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a parade; live music at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Maywood City Park, 4801 58th St., Maywood. (323) 562-5020.
