Where to See Fireworks Shows Around Orange County

Orange County law enforcement and fire officials are encouraging residents to get their fireworks fix at an organized demonstration this weekend instead of a more dangerous ad-hoc display in the backyard.

A number of public fireworks displays are scheduled throughout the area, including Huntington Beach’s Fourth of July celebration, which is in its 111th year.

The event began in 1904, when the city was celebrating the arrival of the first electric passenger train connecting it with Long Beach and Los Angeles. In addition to fireworks, the event will include a parade and a 5K run among other festivities.

A number of famous figures have led the parade, including Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Rooney, Natalie Wood and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Legend has it that even Franklin Delano Roosevelt rerouted his presidential motorcade, which was San Diego bound, to sort of join the parade.

The ocean-side fireworks display will be at 9 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Beach Pier. This year, actor Joe Mantegna will be the grand marshal of the parade.

Other Fourth of July fireworks displays are planned at:

-- Old Ranch Country Club, 3901 Lampson Ave., Seal Beach;

-- Santa Ana Country Club, 20382 Newport Blvd.;

-- Woodbridge Village Association, 31 Creek Road, Irvine;

-- Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine;

-- Irvine High School, 4321 Walnut Ave.;

-- Emerald Bay Barge, 1512 W. Pier C Berth, C-58;

-- Yorba Linda Middle School, 4777 Casa Loma Ave.;

-- Tustin High School, 1171 El Camino Real;

-- Santa Ana Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave.,

-- Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, 11203 Lexington Drive;

-- Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park;

-- Laguna Hills High School, 25401 Paseo de Valencia;

-- Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Road;

-- Grand Park - Avo Community Association, 26702 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo;

-- Lake Forest Homeowners Association, 24728 Toledo Way;

-- San Clemente Pier;

-- San Juan Sports Park, 25925 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano;

-- Dana Point Barge, 1512 W. Pier C Berth, C-73/74

-- LARCS Founders Park, 28192 Oneil Drive, Ladera Ranch;

-- Lake Mission Viejo - Activities Committee, 22056 Olympiad Road, Mission Viejo;

-- Mission Viejo Country Club, 26200 Country Club Drive;

-- St. Regis Monarch Beach Golf Club, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point; and

-- Lago Rancho Santa Margarita Beach Club, 21472 Ave de los Fundado.

City News Service