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Holiday Urges

Look to the Skies: Great America's annual fireworks show lights up the night over Santa Clara. Fireworks and fun on the Fourth LOOK to the skies goes the old sci-fi admonition, and it works even better on the Fourth of July, when a tilt of the head reveals fireworks shows from Shoreline to Gilroy. For those planning on braving the America Festival in downtown San Jose, public transportation is highly recommended--traffic will be fierce. The same is true for Great America's fireworks show; and extra trains have been added for both events. Regulars at the Mission Community College parking lot, which used to provide a good vantage point for the Great America show, will have to find another viewing spot this year. The college's access road and facilities will be closed the evening of the Fourth. Fireworks America Festival Fireworks at 9:45pm, followed by Lady Bo and the Boulder Creek Horns. Part of weekend festival (see below). Free. July 4. Guadalupe River Park, Almaden Boulevard and W. San Carlos Street, San Jose. Clash Fireworks After the game against New England. $7­$35. July 6, 7:30pm. Spartan Stadium, Seventh Street and Alma Avenue, San Jose. Cupertino Independence Day At the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road: pancake breakfast, 7­11am. At the Senior Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Blvd.: children's parade, 10am. At De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.: Food served up by local service clubs, 5pm; San Jose Metropolitan Band, 8­9:30pm; ensemble sing-along, 8:30pm; fireworks, 9:30pm. Free. July 4. Gilroy Fourth The celebration includes softball tournaments, a presentation of flags, a barbecue, Optimist club luncheon, entertainment by DJ Mike Malinao and Karri's Soraya Belly Dancers. Fireworks at 9:15pm. Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy. Fireworks Train CalTrain and SamTrans operate on a holiday schedule from San Jose to San Francisco for the fireworks show. Great America Fireworks Sky Concert synchronized to a musical score. Laser Light Tours and Pyrotechnical Show, "New Nights of Fire," choreographed to contemporary patriotic music. July 4, fireworks at 9:30, light show at 9:15 and 10:40pm; July 5­7, 9:30pm. Included in park admission. Paramount's Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. Great Mall Barbecue, music all afternoon with Wild at Heart and dance with Pride & Joy at 7:30pm. Fireworks at 9:30pm. Free. July 4, 4­10pm. Outside the north end of the Great Mall of the Bay Area. Shoreline San Francisco Symphony, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, U.S. Army Chorus and a fireworks show. $10­$27.50. July 4, 8pm. Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mtn View. Stanford Midsummer Mozart Fireworks Spectacular, featuring works by Rossini and Mozart. July 3, 7:30pm. $27/$24. Frost Amphitheater, Stanford. San Jose Events America Festival A multistage celebration with music and dance groups, arts and crafts, Kidland and more. Thursday highlights: San Jose Taiko, 1:30pm; Inka Inka, 5:30pm. Friday highlights: the Doobie Brothers, 8pm ($6). Saturday highlights: Tropical Vibrations, 5:30pm; San Jose Symphony, 8pm. Free, except Friday. July 4, 11am­ 11pm; July 5, 8pm; July 6, 11am­ 7pm. Guadalupe River Park, Almaden Boulevard and W. San Carlos Street, San Jose. American Art Tribute to American Art 1940­1965: Traditions Reconsidered . Visitors receive free poster. July 4, 10am­8pm. Free. The San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St., San Jose. Montevideo 4th of July Parade This traditional neighborhood celebration features a parade of colorful floats and classic cars. July 4. Camden and Coleman avenues, San Jose. Patriotic Performances The Independence Day Musicians, a 70-member band and choir, presents a medley of patriotic music and narratives. July 3­4, 6:45pm. Free. July 3 performance at Union Middle School, 2130 Los Gatos-Almaden Road, San Jose; July 4 performance at Oakland Tri-Stake Center, 4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Festivals, Fairs and More in Other Cities Aptos: World's Shortest Parade Pancake breakfast, parade and music. Free. July 4, 10am. Aptos VillagePark, 100 Aptos Creek Road, Aptos. Boulder Creek Parade & Town Picnic Parade, sidewalk sale, food booths and kids' activities. Free. July 4, parade at 10:30am; town picnic 11:30 am­4pm. Downtown Boulder Creek. Los Gatos Celebration Sponsored by "Los Gatos Music in the Plaza," this concert will feature the San Jose Wind Symphony and will finish with the 1812 Overture. Free. July 4, 1:30pm. Los Gatos High School, Los Gatos. Menlo Park Festival Parade, food booths and music by the Pan Roots, Steve Seskin and Voyager. Free. July 4, noon. Burgess Park, Alma Street, Menlo Park. Morgan Hill Fourth This July Fourth marks the 100th celebration of Independence Day in Morgan Hill. Parade at 10am. Call for details. Palo Alto Summer Festival Chefs from all over the Bay Area compete in a Chili Cook-off; also music by the Plaids, Pan Caribe and RST. Free. July 4, noon­5pm. Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. Redwood City Car Capades To benefit the Elks Program for Disabled Children. Includes fireworks, a fun run and pancake breakfast. $20/$25. July 4, 8am­4pm. Downtown Redwood City. Santa Clara's All City Picnic Pancake breakfast, C&W dancing, exhibits, carnival games, food and music. 8am­5pm. Free. Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara. Santa Cruz Fourth Includes Firecracker 10K (8:30am, $16/$12) and music by the Jive Hounds, Kosono and Tocara, plus Watsonville Taiko and children's activities. All day. Free. Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz. Saratoga: Villa Montalvo Saratoga celebrates its 40th anniversary of incorporation with family games and appearances by Saratoga Sister City Taiko, the Skillet Lickers, A Crime in Italy, Saratoga Brass and more. July 4, 1­6pm. Free. Villa Montalvo, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga. Sunnyvale's Cherry Pie Fourth Carnival games, barbecue and Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band, along with Mojo Madness. July 4, 10am­5pm. Free. Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. San Francisco: Jazz & All That Music, food, and arts and crafts at annual street fair. Free. July 6­7. Fillmore Street between Jackson and Post, San Francisco. [ Metro | Metroactive Central | Archives ]