Holiday events light up the valley (and beyond)

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 | 11:59 a.m.

For more information on Fourth of July entertainment, visit http://www.vegas.com

Your long Independence Day weekend begins tonight. Choose from music, picnicking, parades and fireworks this Fourth of July holiday.

Some highlights:

Today

The city of North Las Vegas, Del Webb, Lake Mead Hospital and the Southern Nevada Water Authority is sponsoring its third annual "Independence Day Jubilee" celebration at 6 p.m. today at James Seastrand Park, located at Camino Eldorado and Centennial Parkway, North Las Vegas. The day culminates with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Entertainment includes performances by John Earl & the Boogie-Man Band, Exit 12, gymnasts from the Silver Mesa Recreation Center and a fireworks show by Montana Fireworks. Admission is free. Bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets. Call 633-1600.

Thursday

The seventh annual Summerlin Patriotic Parade features more than 50 entries, including floats, trucks, bikes and marching groups, and begins at 9 a.m. at Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive. The route travels south on Hills Center Drive to Village Center Circle past the Trails Village Shopping Center. It will disband at Trailwood Drive and Spring Gate Lane. The parade is free.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic's "Star Spangled Spectacular," featuring a fireworks show and a guest appearance by Clint Holmes, begins at 7:30 p.m. (Gates open for picnicking at 4:30 p.m.) Tickets are $15; $10 for ages 18 and younger; children under 5 are admitted free. Concert site is Hills Park, 9100 Hillpointe Road, Summerlin. Call 895-2787.

The city of Henderson, New Country KWNR 95.5-FM, Valley Automall and Washington Mutual will host the ninth annual Fourth of July celebration from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Morrell Park, Harris Street and Major Avenue in Henderson. Performers include the Henderson Civic Symphony, the Randy Anderson Band, the International House of Blues Schoolhouse Band and a fireworks display by Grucci, which will begin at 9 p.m. Other attractions and activities include Timothy's Toy Train, a children's fire engine ride, a bounce house, a giant slide, an obstacle course, a mountain climb, face-painting, line-dancing instruction, clowns and carnival games. Call 565-2121.

The Stratosphere hotel-casino presents a 12-minute fireworks display by Grucci at 9 p.m., which will be visible from most parts of the valley. The Stratosphere is also offering several options for patrons who wish to view the fireworks from the pool deck, Top of the World Restaurant and Lounge or the Tower's indoor and outdoor observation decks. Call 380-7711.

Santa Fe Station celebrates its Independence Day Red, White & Rockin' Blues, featuring John Earl & the Boogieman at 2 p.m. at the outdoor Santa Fe Pavilion. Admission, including one drink, is $5; free for children ages 12 and younger. Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers perform at 4:30 p.m. and former Santana band member Gregg Rolie performs at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks show by Grucci begins at 9 p.m. with a mix of patriotic and contemporary music. Call 658-4900.

A fireworks display, "Red, White & Boom," a car show and a skatepark exhibition with entertainment by Starship, Loveshack, Yellow Brick Road and Louie Louie takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Desert Breeze Park, 8425 W. Spring Mountain Road. Admission is free. Call 455-8838.

Friday

An all-American fireworks display by Grucci, with "bombs bursting in air," will be presented at dusk at Primm Valley Resorts, 35 minutes south of Las Vegas on I-15 at the Southern Nevada/California state line. Call 1-800-FunStop (386-7867).