Celebrate independence

Each year Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach present Fourth of July celebrations that include a healthy mix of fun, sun and patriotism.

Newport Beach visitors have two options for celebrating the Fourth of July. In honor of the city’s 100th birthday, city officials are teaming up with Mariner’s Elementary School for a Fourth of July celebration at Mariner’s Park. The day-long festival includes a parade, small fair and rides for the kids. Profits will go to the school’s charity foundation.

Huntington Beach is planning its own annual celebration with a 10 a.m. parade down Main Street and a beachside fireworks show at the Pier Plaza after sundown. The celebration will also include a three-day expo starting July 2 with local vendors and artists and concerts. For more information, visit hb4thofjuly.org.

Finally, Laguna Beach will hold its own fireworks show from Monument Point in Heisler Park on the north side of town where Coast Highway meets Cliff Drive. The show will begin at dusk.dpt.14-sac-sunglasses-2-BPhotoInfo0O1RUHL320060614j0tbnmnc(LA)dpt.14-sac-fourth-parad-BPhotoInfoDP1RRIVK20060614htatfmkfPHOTO BY MARK C. DUSTIN(LA)Jake Keeland, 3 years old last summer, stands on Huntington Beach’s Main Street waving his flag during the city’s 2005 Fourth of July parade.