Organizers are promising the largest fireworks event in Southern California history at the Rose Bowl Friday night, and downtown Los Angeles’ biggest rooftop fireworks display is planned to mark Independence Day.
More than a ton of explosives will be used in thousands of special effects fireworks for the 88th annual edition of Americafest at the Rose Bowl, producer Paul Souza said.
What is billed as Southern California’s longest-running Independence Day fireworks show will begin at 7 p.m. and also include a motorcycle stunt show and musical performances by the Mariachi Divas, the 17-year-old Belgian teen pop idol Ian Thomas and the Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute band selected by Louise Harrison, the sister of the late George Harrison. The fireworks show will begin at 9:05 p.m. The stadium gates will open at 6 p.m
The Rose Bowl parking lots will open at 9 a.m. A festival with food vendors, entertainment, craft-making and inflatable rides for children will begin at 2 p.m. outside the stadium.
The second annual Fourth of July Block Party at Grand Park will include a 16-minute fireworks display from atop the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at 9 p.m.
The size of the party has been tripled from last year, encompassing all 12 acres of the park as well as the area from Temple to Second streets between Grand Avenue and Main Street. It will feature two entertainment stages, one featuring DJs presenting soul, funk and disco dance sounds and emerging indie rock bands on the other.
Marina del Rey’s 20-minute fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m., synchronized to music played over loudspeakers throughout Burton Chace Park and broadcast over KXLU-FM (88.9). Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village are considered the best spots to view the fireworks, which are shot from a barge across the marina’s main channel.
Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. for the 16th annual Fourth of July Fireworks Festival at CBS Studio Center in Studio City. Paperback Writer, a Beatles tribute band, and Rhythm Section will perform.
Fireworks will also follow the Los Angeles Galaxy-Portland Timbers Major League Soccer game at the StubHub Center and the concert by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell at the Hollywood Bowl.
Fireworks shows are also scheduled for the following locations in Los Angeles County, all beginning at 9 p.m., except where noted:
— Barnes Park, 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park;
— Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro;
— Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St. (dusk);
— Lynwood City Park, Lynwood;
— Rosemead Park, 9200 Mission Ave., Rosemead;
— Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi Street, Porter Ranch;
— Van Ness Recreation Center, 5720 Second Ave, Los Angeles (dusk);
— Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills; (9:08 p.m.); and
— Willow Springs Park, 2745 Orange Ave., Long Beach (after sundown).
