Red, white and to do

WHERE TO GO

Here’s a selection of Newport-Mesa’s festive events:

 50th ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT THE DUNES

Interested in seeing the largest fireworks display in Orange County? You need only visit the Newport Dunes during Fourth of July for its 50th annual celebration. The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is hosting an all-day event that will include games, tournaments, contests, food and entertainment. A bounce house, giant water slide and surf simulator will also be set up. Visitors can participate in a volleyball tournament, hula hoop contest and ring toss. For all day carnival rides, games and fireworks the cost is $50 per car. Each car may have up to five wristbands. Doors open at 7 a.m. and close following the fireworks show. For more information, call (949) 729-3863.

CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL

More than 50 artists will be featured at eVocal, an artist establishment and boutique in Costa Mesa. The Avalon Bar and Detroit Bar, which are near eVocal, will also be part of the occasion. Food and drinks will be available while bands, art, dancing and DJs entertain visitors. There will be raffles and a product give-away to celebrate the Fourth of July. The festival starts at noon. Admission into all the venues and for one T-shirt is $20. For $15, attendees can still access all the venues, but will not receive the eVocal shirt. To watch the DJs and dancing only, guests will need $10. Those who ride their bikes to the area, 814 W. 19th St. Costa Mesa, will receive a free drink ticket. For more, call (949) 642-4548.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT MARINERS PARK

Grab your bikes or your walking shoes and be a part of the parade at Mariners Park in Newport Beach. Carnival games and a craft boutique will culminate the 34th annual celebration. Barnaby the Clown will be at the event, which will last from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Restaurants from the area will sell their favored dishes. Admission is free, but tickets can be purchased for food and to join in on the activities. Raffle tickets will also be for sale. People will start lining up for the parade from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Mariners Drive and Commodore Road.

WHAT’S CLOSED

 The following facilities and major streets will be closed for the holiday:

 FACILITIES

 County and city offices

 Superior courts, post offices, DMV offices

 Banks and schools, including OCC and UCI

 STREETS

 Eastbound traffic on West Balboa Boulevard from West Coast Highway to 32nd Street, and all numbered streets between West Balboa Boulevard and Seashore Drive

 Seashore Drive between 32nd and 51st streets

 City parking lots at Newport Beach City Hall and Superior Avenue will also be closed until 7 a.m. Thursday.

FOUR THINGS TO REMEMBER...

 For tonight’s fireworks shows:

 LAWN CHAIR

…or bring a blanket to relax until the show starts.

 AMERICAN FLAG

Don’t forget your patriotic prop.

 SWEATER

Don’t let the hot afternoons fool you. Evenings on the coast could get chilly.

 CAMERA

Preserve your favorite Fourth of July memories.

 SAFETY TIPS

 During fireworks shows, pets often become frantic. Costa Mesa Animal Hospital recommends pet-owners put animals in a room farthest away from the fireworks display, turn up the volume on the TV or play music really loud, and close the door. It will help drown out the sound of the fireworks, allowing pets to stay calmer.

 When taking pictures of fireworks, turn your camera to night mode. It will help capture a clearer photo. Also, if you adjust your camera to a low shutter speed through the manual mode, it can create a light-trail effect that will enhance the image.

 Never carry fireworks in your pocket. Never shoot them from glass or metal containers.

DID YOU KNOW?

 Independence Day was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

 Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century.

 The National Anthem is written to the tune of “Anacreon in Heaven,” an English drinking song.

 This nation’s population on this Fourth of July will be 304 million.

 There are 31 places in the United States that include “liberty” in their name.

For a video about fireworks sales, click here.