Fourth of July

FIREWORK SHOW & CELEBRATION–LOS BANOS  This all-day event will feature food, music, entertainment, and fireworks. 11 a.m. Henry Miller Plaza, H Street between 5th and 6th. Los Banos. 209-710-9022

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION–DINUBA  Enjoy this free event with live entertainment, vendors, and fun independence day items for the kids from 6–10 p.m. 3018 Ridge Creek Drive, Dinuba. 591-5940

KINGSBURG’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION  Old fashioned All-American patriotic celebration with fireworks, food, and fun! 5–9:30 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets! Tickets: $5. Kingsburg High School, 1900 18th Avenue. 897-1111

LET FREEDOM RING CELEBRATION–COALINGA  Families will enjoy a car show, arts, crafts, vendors, music, games, entertainment, and a professional fireworks show! 3–10 p.m. Coalinga Sports Complex, 437 Cambridge Avenue, Coalinga. 935-1533

ROCKIN’ INDEPENDENCE EVE–ATWATER  Enjoy free live music, food trucks, and more from 6–10 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join the celebration! Ralston Park, 1550 Third Street, Atwater. 209-355-4912

SELMA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION  Food booths, children’s activities, entertainment, and more! Gates open at 5:30 p.m. No outside food. Bring your lawn chairs. Tickets: $2–$5. Parking $2. Selma High School, 3125 Wright Street, Selma. 891-2235

SHAVER LAKE FIREWORKS SHOW  Enjoy this tradition of family fun at the lake with the boat parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Shaver Lake. 841-3350

STAR SPANGLED SCIENCE  Celebrate America at this family-friendly STEAM event from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Health and safety measures will be in place. Tickets: $7. Fresno Discovery Center, 1944 N. Winery Avenue, Fresno. 251-5533

WOODLAKE JULY 3RD BLAST  Join for kids play, food vendors, and a patriotic show from 6–10 p.m. Contact the Woodlake Kiwanis for more information. Miller Brown Park, Woodlake. 679-4676

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION–EXETER  The 75th Anniversary of the Exeter Lions free fireworks show will be held again this year! Fireworks begin around dusk. For more information see exeterlions.org. Dobson Field, Exeter. 592-9244

4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR–SANGER  Live music, food, family fun, and fireworks at dusk! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. 6:30 p.m. $3 per person. Sanger High School, 1045 Bethel Avenue, Sanger. Tickets: 875-4575

ATWATER 4TH OF JULY  Entertainment, food, and fun! The day kicks off with the parade at 9 a.m. in Downtown, the festival runs through 4 p.m. at Ralston Park, and the concert and fireworks at 6 p.m. at the Castle Air Base, parking is $10 per car. Atwater. 209-355-4912

FIREWORKS SHOW–BASS LAKE  Light up the sky with the annual, free fireworks show at Bass Lake. Boat parade at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9 p.m., but arrive early to claim a spot on the beach or in the water. Bass Lake. 642-3676

FRESNO GRIZZLIES  Take the whole family out to the ball game as your Fresno Grizzlies play the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at 6:35 p.m. Enjoy a firework show at the end of the game! Tickets: $13.50–$56.50. Chukchansi Park, 1800 Tulare Street, Fresno. 320-TIXS

PATRIOTIC KIDS PARADE–LEMOORE  Kids are invited to dress up and decorate their bikes, scooters, or wagons for a parade honoring our First Responders at 9 a.m. Parade is free, but waiver must be signed prior. City Park, Lemoore. 924-6744

VISALIA RAWHIDE  Take the whole family out to the ball game as your Visalia Rawhide play the Modesto Nuts at 1 p.m. Enjoy a firework show at the end of the game! Tickets: $7–$30. Valley Strong Ballpark, 300 N. Giddings, Visalia. 732-4433

If your local Fireworks Shows has been canceled this year, that doesn’t mean you and the family can’t celebrate!

Check out the following articles for ways you can celebrate at home. And make sure to stay connected with your local Parks and Recreation Department for any updates that they may have on public shows.

• 7 Explosive Independence Day Traditions

• Fourth of July Flower Pot

• Red, White, and Blue Fruit Skewers

• Fourth of July Pops

• Patriotic Candles

• Fourth of July Windsock

“Bombs bursting in air” is an Independence Day tradition, but unfortunately many family festivities are ruined when someone becomes seriously injured. It’s estimated that 9,600 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries in 2004, and a majority of the injuries from the legal “consumer” or family-type fireworks involved misuse rather than malfunction. However, illegal fireworks continue to be a serious problem. Over the past 10 years, 30-33 percent of the injuries associated with fireworks have typically been caused by illegal explosives or homemade fireworks such as M-80s, M-100s and blockbusters—these are not fireworks, they’re federally banned explosives! To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, the National Council on Fireworks Safety offers the following tips:

• Always read and follow label directions.

• Have an adult present.

• Buy from reliable sellers and stay away from illegal explosives.

• Use outdoors only and always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).

• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.

• Light only one firework at a time.

• Never re-light a “dud” firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).

• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trash can.

• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

• Always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body held over the firework.