Where to Spend Your Fourth of July

Greater Palm Springs area presents several fun-filled choices

JIM POWERS Attractions

July 4th lands on a Thursday this year, but the weekday backdrop has not stopped the greater Palm Springs area from putting on a red, white and blue spectacular.

Here is what’s in store for the holiday.

Palm Springs
A full day of events are planned culminating with a fireworks display at the end of the Palm Springs Power baseball game against the Los Angeles Brewers at 9:15 p.m. at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road. Free admission to the fireworks show only starts at 8 p.m., and attendees can bring blankets and chairs to sit on the field.

The day starts off with a cool dip in the Palm Springs Swim Center, 401 S. Pavilion Way, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. VillageFest will also be fully operational that evening from 7-10 p.m. along Palm Canyon Drive in the downtown district, including red, white and blue cupcakes as supplies last. Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet will throw out the first pitch of the Power baseball game at 6:05 p.m.

Palm Desert
Civic Center Park, 73510 Fred Waring Drive, is the place to be. Starting at 7:30 p.m. with the Swing Cats Big Band, there will be patriotic music and big band sounds to set the mood followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m. accompanied by synchronized music from The Mix (100.5 FM).

Bring your picnic dinners, blankets, and chairs to the park. Drinks and snacks will also be on sale at the park and the neighboring Palm Desert Aquatic Center.  No alcohol, smoking or portable barbeques are allowed. Drivers are asked to enter the park via Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue as road closures will begin at 4 p.m. Air-conditioned shuttle service is available from The Gardens on El Paseo to the park starting at 6 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.

La Quinta
Nothing says Fourth of July better than chili. La Quinta starts its celebration with a Chili Cook-off at 4:30 p.m. in the La Quinta Park off of Avenida Montezuma. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and there is free swimming that day from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Fritz Burns Park Pool on Avenida Bermudas and Avenue 52. A fireworks display starts around 9 p.m. at La Quinta Park.

La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West
The Fourth of July is just the beginning of a full holiday weekend at the resort. An indoor barbecue block party at the resort’s Fiesta Ballroom runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 4 with food, dancing, movie watching and games. The fireworks display begins shortly after 9 p.m. During the fireworks show, MD Burger at the Mountain Dunes Clubhouse will serve from a special dinner and drinks menu at the Fireworks Lounge.

The rest of the weekend includes dive-in movies, kids’ camp, pottery and canvas painting by the pool, candy Bingo, tennis clinics, stargazing and swim lessons. For information, call (760) 564-4111 or visit www.laquintaresort.com

AIDS Assistance Program
AAP will host an Independence Day fundraiser July 4 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the historic O’Donnell House, 412 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The vantage point will provide a great view of the Palm Springs fireworks. Tickets are $100 each and include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and valet parking. For information, call (760) 325-8481 or visit www.aidsassistance.org

Spotlight 29 Casino
An All-American buffet at Café Capitata on July 4 features barbecued chicken, ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs served all day. Lunch runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4-10 p.m. Lunch costs $10.95 per person and dinner runs $14.94.

Two musical acts highlight the holiday weekend at the Spotlight 29 Showroom in Coachella. Garth Brooks and Faith Hill Tribute performers hit the stage at 8 p.m. July 5, and Saturday night (July 6) features a Motown Revue Tribute to Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye also at 8 p.m.

Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms
Yucca Valley has moved its Fourth of July fireworks to a new youth park at the corner of Palm Avenue and Little League Drive, across the street from the Boys and Girls Club facility, 56525 Little League Drive. Gates open at 5 p.m., live entertainment follows at 6 p.m. and the fireworks at 9 p.m. There will be vendor booths, food and refreshments available.

Beaumont
The Basix take the stage at 5 p.m. followed by the Little River Band at 7:30 p.m. at Stewart Park, located on Maple Avenue between 9th Street and 11th Street. The fireworks display follows at 9 p.m. The day also includes the unveiling of a new Public Safety Memorial at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center front lawn, 550 E. 6th St. The memorial honors deceased police and fire personnel who lived in or served the Beaumont and Cherry Valley area. A Fallen Heroes Dedication will also take place at 1 p.m. at Oak View Park, located at the southeast corner of Oak View Drive and Iris Street. A Market Night featuring vendors and food runs 4-9 p.m. at 10th Street and Orange Avenue. For more information, visit www.ci.beaumont.ca.us

Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms will celebrate the holiday from 4-9 p.m. July 4 with entertainment, kids games and more. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. at Luckie Park at the corner of Utah Trail and Joe Davis Drive.

July 3
The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will get a jump on the holiday with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. July 3 at Eagle Falls Golf Course, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, in Indio. Bring blankets and chairs, refreshments will be available and public parking permitted in the dirt/gravel parking lot closest to the golf course pro shop, and the casino’s north and west lots.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The tram will observe holiday hours. The first tram goes up at 8 a.m. and the last tram up at 8 p.m. the last tram down is at 9:45 p.m. Fireworks cannot be seen from the Mountain Station.

Out of Town
Newport Beach has packed a weekend of activities into one day with its annual July 4th celebration at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. Among the highlights are a chili cook-off, food eating contest, small Sundae contest, and a Kid’s Coral with inflatables, craft station and balloon makers. Music ranges from tribute bands (Carlos Santana and Beatles) to the real thing, America. The day runs noon to 10 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. For ticket information, go to www.visitnewportbeach.com