4th of July Fireworks, Parades and Other Events Around Ventura County!
Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 12:18AM 
America's 235th birthday was July 4, 2011! Here's the annual list of local fireworks, parades and other festivities throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas that took place that fine day! See you in 2012!
Fireworks in Thousand Oaks, Moorpark (July 3rd), Simi Valley, Calabasas, Camarillo, Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura, Ojai, Fillmore, Agoura (July 10th), Santa Paula, Woodland Hills and Santa Barbara.
Parades in Westlake Village, Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara and Newbury Park.
Family festivities and fun all over the place...concerts, carnivals, swimming, games, tournaments, face painting, 5K/10K runs, etc.!
Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park
The annual Conejo Recreation and Park District and City of Thousand Oaks 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is launched from the hill behind the Hillcrest Center of the Arts in Thousand Oaks. Best viewing will be at the Oaks Shopping Center and Janss Marketplace parking lots. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Call the Conejo Recreation and Park District for more information at 805.381.1247.
CRPD is hosting a Pancake Breakfast on 4th of July morning from 8-11 a.m. at Borchard Community Center (Reino and Borchard in Newbury Park). Cost is only $3 ($2 for seniors and kids 6 and under). More info at 805.381.2791. There will be a Home Run Derby at Borchard Park Field #2 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at a cost of $5 (call 805.495.4674 for details) and a Senior Home Run Derby from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in field #1 for $4 (call 805.381.2744). Also, FREE swimming at CLU, NPHS and TOHS swimming pools from noon to 4 p.m. (call 805.241.0894) and lastly a FREE concert featuring the Conejo Pops Orchestra starting at 5 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Avenue.
The Janss Marketplace will host its annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular event with an outstanding viewing of the Thousand Oaks fireworks display on the top floor of its parking structure and the Fountain Courtyard areas. Lots of music entertainment, kids' activities, great food for sale and more! The event starts at 4 p.m. and ends after the fireworks. Access to roof begins at 4 p.m and limited to 2500 guests, so get there early to secure a spot (bring a blanket and chairs to pad your place on the concrete!).
The Oaks will be an official viewing spot for the CRPD/City of Thousand Oaks fireworks event from the turnaround in front of the Muvico theater...a prime viewing location!
Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks once again opens its incredible views to the public with a 4th of July Celebration starting at 5pm. Free music, family fun, food for sale and some of the best views of the Thousand Oaks Fireworks Display in town!
Get your Independence Day started out right by visiting the Inaugural Miller Family YMCA 5K, Classic Car Show and Parade first thing in the morning in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park!! Kids fun zone, entertainment and more.
Westlake Village
The City presents its 42nd Annual 4th of July Parade followed by music, inflatable, games, popsicles, etc. at Berniece Bennett Park until noon.
Moorpark (3rd of July!)
The City of Moorpark presents its 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Arroyo Vista Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. Festivities start at 4:00 p.m. Admission is $3 per person, with children 4 & under free! Visit the City of Moorpark website at www.ci.moorpark.ca.us or call 805.517.6300 for more information. This is a very well orchestrated event. We have attended this event over the years and find it to be very family oriented and fun. There are tons of kids' activities, including jumpers, face painting, prizes, games and good food available for purchase. There were a lot of people there but everything went so smoothly that the crowds were not a problem. There was live music and dancing most of the night.
Simi Valley
An Independence Day Ceremony for veterans will take place at Rancho Tapo Community Park at 10 a.m.
The 41st Annual Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza is at Rancho Santa Susana Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Gates open 2 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:20 p.m. Event features live bands, kids activities, dunking booth, crafts and food vendors, beer and wine stations. FREE admission!
Visit the Reagan Library 4th of July Celebration between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Festivities, include music, family entertainment, presidential look-alikes, face painting, storytelling and childrens' games. Enjoy all-American food and patriotic music. All 4th of July activities are FREE; however, regular admission rates apply for those visitors who also visit the Museum exhibits. Call 800.410.8354 for more information.
Calabasas
The City of Calabasas' Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Calabasas High School (22855 W. Mulholland Hwy) opens its gates at 5 p.m. and fireworks begins at 9 p.m. The event also features live music and a free kids' play zone. Tickets are limited and available at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center (23400 Park Sorrento) and Juan Bautista De Anza Park (3701 Lost Hills Road) in Calabasas (MUST BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE! NO ONSITE SALES.). The $10 admission price includes parking, entertainment and all activities. Children under 2 years of age are free. Food and beverages will be offered for sale.
Other activities include a free Summer Splash Party at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., a Pet Show at Calabasas Lake at 11 a.m. and the 32nd Annual Lakeside Fun Run 4 mile, 2 mile, 1/2 mile and 1/4 mile events starting at 8 a.m. Call 818.222.2782 for more information.
Camarillo
The annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Camarillo High School is set to start at 4 p.m. with musical entertainment, kids activities, food for sale, etc. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Only $2 admission with kids 5 and under free.
The city is also hosting free swimming at the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center, 1030 Temple Avenue, from noon to 3 p.m. on the 4th!
Oxnard/Channel Islands Harbor
The 14th Annual Fireworks by the Sea is all day long, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4th at the Channel Islands Harbor, The day includes food, exhibits, live entertainment, kids' activities, Artists' Market, Live Music, Food Booths, Water Taxi Rides, Face Painting, Gigantic Inflatable Fun Zone, Rock Climbing Wall, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides and Farmers Market. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.The day also features the 14th Annual 4th of July Parade at 10:30am! Great FUN!
Also the Channel Islands 4th of July 5K & 10K races on 4th of July at Hollywood Beach/Oxnard State Beach Park.
On Sunday, July 3rd, visit Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard for a free All-American concert featuring Arkansas Joe (American Folk) and the Dixieland Tailgators of the 562nd Air Force Band from 1pm to 4pm. There will also be food for sale and lots of fun!
How about taking a boat from Ventura Harbor to watch the fireworks at Channel Island Harbor!? Island Packers has a 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm catamaran cruise and 6 pm. to 9:30 pm. tall ship sail where you have the best seat in the harbor for the fireworks! Visit www.islandpackers.com or call 805.642.1393.\
Ventura
The City of Ventura 4th of July Street Festival and 36th Annual Pushem-Pullem Parade attracts up to 50,000 people, with the parade starting at 10:30am., followed by nine blocks of Main Street and several side streets filled with 300 artisans, food booths, nonprofit organization displays and four stages of continuous live entertainment. Official Street Fair start time is 10:00am. until 5:00pm. Free events to the public and free shuttle service the event from the Ventura County Government Center. Call 805.654.7749 for more information.
Ventura's 4th of July Fireworks Show and Family Festival at Ventura College Athletic Field, 4667 Telegraph Road, featuring fun activities for the whole family (food, games and contests) and performances by Dennis Johnson and Men on the Moon. Gates open at 2 p.m., Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Please no pets, glass or alcohol. $6 adults, $4 kids, $25 family 6 pack advance purchase ($8/$6/$35 at the gate).
The Museum of Ventura County is offering reduced admission to the public and free entry to active military on the 4th of July. Enjoy the summer exhibition "Splash!"
Ojai
The Ojai Independence Day Parade will take place on July 4th in downtown Ojai at 10 a.m. At 5 p.m., Nordhoff Community Stadium opens its doors for a flag ceremony, food booths, games and rides, entertainment and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Other events include a spaghetti dinner on July 2 and tri-tip dinner on July 3, as well as free U.S. Air Force Band concert at 6 p.m.
Fillmore
The Fillmore Chili Cook-Off and Car Show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 4th and the City of Fillmore fireworks show starts around 9:15 p.m.
Fillmore & Western offers 1 hour train ride all day, then a special Firecracker Train that boards at 6 p.m., serves a delicious BBQ dinner, then stops on the tracks for a great view of the City of Fillmore Fireworks show.
Santa Paula
Word just in that the Santa Paula Rotary is indeed planning for 4th of July fireworks! Yay! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and patriotism to Harding Park, 1300 E. Harvard Blvd.
Agoura Hills
On Sunday, July 10th, the City of Agoura presents a FREE Concert at Chumash Park followed by a fireworks display! The concert starts at 6pm and features the lively music of Platinum Rock All Stars. Bring chairs, blankets, picnics, toys, etc. No pets allowed. Food, drinks, glow sticks available for purchase.
Woodland Hills
The Valley Cultural Center in Woodland Hills hosts its Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza featuring Pierce College Symphonic Winds and "Taylor Made" James Taylor tribute band from 6 p.m to 9 p.m, then at 9:08 p.m. you'll be treated to a 20 minute fireworks show! FREE! Concert hotline is 877.704.3456.
Santa Barbara
Lots of FUN planned up the coast with the 49th Annual 4th of July Parade down State Street hosted by Spirit of 76 Foundation and lots of activities all day near the beachfront hosted by the City of Santa Barbara and SPARKLE including the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest and of course fireworks at West Beach at 9 p.m.
Contact us with any additions to this list!
Reader Comments (3)
lots of great stuff...ventura county is the prize place to be...I feel bad for the people that live in LA county they have been robbing them blind for years and the mayor is interested in women other than his wife as I have been told. someone should tell arnold to go back to sac with his private jet and go milk some cows and not his staff.
Very inappropriate comment. Do not use this space as your political soapbox. Get a hobby.
The fireworks tonight were anemic- a sing of the times.