Claudia Figueroa
The Fourth of July in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach will be filled with
revelers partying at beaches and parks, wide-eyed kids twirling sparklers
and plenty of folks staying home to grill hamburgers and hot dogs.
But community members are gearing up for a few Independence Day
festivities for those who want to break out of the house for a few hours.
This year's lineup includes a array of activities and entertainment for
families and singles, including a pancake breakfast, picnics, musical
performances, a carnival and numerous fireworks spectacles.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3536 will light off the day with its
annual pancake breakfast, a complete morning buffet dishing up buttermilk
pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs and orange juice. There will even be a
raffle for a patriotic quilt.
Organizers say the buffet draws between 300 to 350 people each year.
"It's one breakfast people look forward to," said VFW Commander Bud Hohl.
"Some of us are real dedicated. That's why we've had the same customers
for 25 years."
Newport Dunes Resort will host its 42nd annual Fourth of July celebration
at the 100-acre waterfront resort, where families may relax, picnic and
play. During the day, there will be carnival-style games, crafts,
face-painting and drawings by caricaturists and a limbo contest, as well
as a visit by Uncle Sam and resort mascot Moe B. Dunes. A 20-minute
fireworks show will blast into the sky at 9 p.m. to cap the event.
The Jewish Community Center of Orange County in Costa Mesa will celebrate
Independence day by hosting a luncheon and performance by the tap dance
ensemble Happy Hoofers.
A bicycle parade will start rolling at 10 a.m. for Newport Beach's 27th
annual Mariners Park Independence Day celebration on Commodore Road,
followed by games, contests and entertainment by Barnaby the Clown.
Other park program highlights will include a performance by the Newport
Harbor High School Junior Varsity cheerleaders at 9:30 a.m., a colossal
slide, a giant obstacle course and a 28-foot Rocky Mountain climbing
challenge. Opportunity drawings and door prizes will be conducted
throughout the day. Barbecued hot dogs and other refreshments also will
be available.
Darin Loughrey, Newport Beach's Community Services Department recreation
manager, said the event -- which is sponsored by the city and the
Mariners School Foundation -- is geared toward families.
"It's unique because it brings people together for celebration early and
