Jason Redmond / Star staff Jason Bontrager of Atlanta and Shayna Phillips of Moorpark enjoy last year's Third of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Arroyo Vista Community Park in Moorpark.

"I felt red, white and blue all over."

— Edward H. White II, U.S. astronaut, on his 1965 spacewalk

Back down on planet Earth, in Ventura County, U.S.A., anyone with a scintilla of patriotic spirit will be feeling — or wearing or decorating with — red, white and blue on Friday, the Fourth of July holiday.

Well, unless you're a Target employee, which means you might be feeling blue because you have to work, wearing red and khaki, on Independence Day.

Most of us will have the day off, however, and communities in and around Ventura County will offer plenty of opportunities — parades, concerts, picnics, pyrotechnic displays — to show off your tri-colored wardrobe and flag-waving ardor.

When day is done, look to the skies for one final explosion of red, white and blue, although fireworks come in other colors, too.

Here are ways to celebrate the Fourth in and around town (all activities take place Friday unless otherwise noted).

Camarillo

Fireworks and Fun Day at Camarillo High School, Adolfo Road and Mission Oaks Boulevard. Co-sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Lions Club, city of Camarillo, and Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, the celebration will start at 3 p.m. with kids' games, Jolly Jumps, food available for sale and live music (Checkered Record from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Preachers Blues Band from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Camarillo Community Band from 7 to 9 p.m.). The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Admission is $2 for those 12 and older, $1 for kids 4 to 11, and free for children 3 and younger. Tickets are available in advance at City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive; the PVRPD office, 1605 E. Burnley St.; or the day of the event at the high school. Ticket proceeds will benefit booster clubs and other organizations at Camarillo High. Free shuttles will run from the Metrolink station on Lewis Road. 388-5307.

Fillmore

Community Fireworks Display begins at dusk at Fillmore Middle School, 627 Sespe Ave. A few changes are taking place this year at the city-sponsored display. First, the location has moved from Fillmore High School because a recently installed all-weather track wasn't compatible with fireworks. Second, the middle school grounds will be closed to the public, so no seating will be available at the fireworks site itself, but all city parks will be open as alternative viewing spots, or residents can see the 15- to 20-minute show from most locations in Fillmore. Free. 524-3701; http://www.fillmoreca.com.

Sespe Creek Car Show and Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Park, Central Avenue between Main and Santa Clara streets. The event will feature pre-1975 classic autos in 32 categories (including street rods, stock, modified, muscle and drag), vendors, food booths, a horseshoe tournament and live music by House Arrest. Free. 524-2546.

Firecracker Train boards at 6 p.m. at Fillmore and Western Railway Co., 351 Santa Clara St. Passengers dine on tri-tip or chicken and standard barbecue side dishes while riding through the Heritage Valley, then watch the city's fireworks show. One-hour daytime rides (without the food or fireworks) depart at 1 and 3 p.m. Evening train: $70 adults and teens, $39 children 4 to 12, $20 kids 2 and 3. Day trains: $12 adults and teens, $7 children 4 to 12, $4 kids 2 and 3. Free lap seating for infants. For reservations, call 524-2546. Information: http://www.fwry.com.

Moorpark

Third of July Fireworks Extravaganza, today at Arroyo Vista Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. This "Independence Day eve" event sponsored by the city will feature games and food booths starting at 4 p.m. (gates open at 3:45 p.m.), a flyover by the Commemorative Air Force at 6:30 p.m., a flag presentation at 6:45 p.m. and a sky-diving demonstration at 7 p.m. Musical entertainment will feature classic rock band Breakaway at 5 p.m. and the Hodads at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks display will start at 9 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are allowed. $3. http://www.ci.moorpark.ca.us.

Ojai

Pre-Fourth of July Concert, 6:30 p.m. today at Libbey Bowl, Ojai Avenue between Signal and Montgomery streets. Deja Vu will play music from the 1940s and '50s. A tri-tip barbecue dinner will be available for $10. 646-4295.

Ojai Independence Day. The 46th annual old-fashioned downtown parade, this year themed "Fourth of July Memories," will begin at 10 a.m. The day continues with food booths, kids' rides and a fireworks show at Ojai Community Stadium at Nordhoff High School, 1401 Maricopa Highway. Gates will open at 5 p.m., to be followed by a flag ceremony at 5:45 p.m., a concert at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Fireworks show admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children at the gate. 646-4295 or http://www.ojai4th.org.

Oxnard

Fireworks by the Sea, Channel Islands Harbor, Channel Islands Boulevard and Victoria Avenue. The 11th annual celebration will begin at 8 a.m. with a 10K or 5K fun run or walk (registration at 7 a.m.), with awards given out for all age divisions, starting on Sunset Lane at Hollywood Beach. A parade at 11 a.m. will travel along Harbor Boulevard from the Harbor Landing Shopping Center to the Whale's Tail Restaurant. Activities throughout the day at Marine Emporium Landing will include live music (Drivematics from noon to 3 p.m. and Bob Trow Band from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.), an artists' market, food booths, a barbecue, a rock-climbing wall, inflatable jumps, a petting zoo and pony rides. A fireworks display at 9 p.m. will end the day. Free. http://www.channelislandsharbor.org.

Santa Paula

Fireworks Extravaganza. The city's fireworks display will light up the night sky at 9 p.m. at Harding Park, Harvard Boulevard and 13th Street. Free. 933-4226.

Simi Valley

Fourth of July Celebration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, 40 Presidential Drive. The library's annual event will offer children's games, storytelling, face painting, presidential look-alikes and patriotic music by the Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band. Fourth of July activities are free; regular admission rates apply to visit the museum. 800-410-8354 or http://www.reaganlibrary.com.

Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza, Rancho Santa Susana Park, 5005 Los Angeles Ave. The 38th annual event, co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Simi Valley, city of Simi Valley and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, will feature a Police Department K-9 demonstration at 3 p.m., a karate program at 4 p.m., a Polynesian dance performance at 4 p.m., music by Platinum Groove from 5 to 9 p.m., and patriotic music and a flag salute from 8:45 to 9:15 p.m. Other activities include food vendors, craft booths and a children's fun zone. The fireworks show will start at 9:20 p.m. Parking is available at Simi Valley High School or the Metrolink/Amtrak station. http://www.simivalleyrotary.org.

Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park

The Conejo Recreation and Park District is sponsoring the following Fourth of July activities: pancake breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m. at the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. $3 adults, $2 children and seniors. Home Run Derby, 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Borchard Park, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. $4-$5. Family open swim sessions, noon to 4 p.m. at Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 Moorpark Road, and Newbury Park High School, 456 N. Reino Road. Free. 495-4674 or 381-2791.

Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. on the hill behind The Oaks mall, above the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. The best viewing spots are the parking lots at The Oaks and Janss Marketplace; RVs are not allowed at either site. Public radio station KCLU 88.3 FM will air a patriotic simulcast and traffic updates from 6 to 10 p.m. 381-2747 or http://www.toaks.org.

Concert in the Park, 5 p.m. at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave. The Conejo Pops Orchestra and Sherwood Singers, led by conductor Elmer Ramsey, will perform patriotic and Americana music. Free. 381-1247.

Fireworks Spectacular, 5 to 10 p.m. at the Janss Marketplace, Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive. The shopping center, a prime viewing site for the city's fireworks display, will offer free festivities on the roof of the Janss parking structure (limited to 2,500 people; access available at 4 p.m.) and in the fountain courtyard. No Duh, a No Doubt tribute band, and Early McAllister will perform from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The family event will also feature food booths, balloon twisting, face painting, a bounce house and music played by a disc jockey. 495-4662; http://www.janssmarketplace.net.

Ventura

Push'em-Pull'em Parade and Street Fair, downtown Ventura. Kids riding decorated wagons, strollers and bikes are invited to participate in the parade, which will start at 10:30 a.m. (registration at 9:30 a.m.) at Cemetery Park, Main and Crimea streets, then go down Main to Fir Street. The theme is "Summer Spree for Liberty."

The Street Fair, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on nine blocks of Main Street, will feature craft and food booths, live music on several stages, and kids' activities at Mission Park, including pony and train rides, a clown, inflatables and a rock-climbing wall.

The entertainment lineup includes flamenco guitarist Benise, the Channelaire Chorus, Men on the Moon, Grooveheads, Polynesian dancers, LeRoy Andrews and his orchestra, Cheyenne, Jewels of the Nile, Inna Rude Mood and Duchicelas. Also, the Museum of Ventura County, at its temporary location at California and Santa Clara streets, will be open for free throughout the day.

Parade entry and fair admission are free. Free shuttle service is available every 30 minutes from the Ventura County Government Center parking lot near Telephone and Hill roads. http://www.cityofventura.net.

Independence Day Celebration, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Ventura College's athletic field, 4667 Telegraph Road. The annual event, presented by the Rotary Club of Ventura and Ventura College Foundation, will feature contests, games, food booths and live music by Paul Skeels Band and Men on the Moon. The fireworks show will start at 9 p.m. Advance tickets, $4 for general admission and $2 for children 5 to 14, are available at Vons markets and McDonald's restaurants in Ventura. Tickets at the gate will cost $5 and $3. Admission is free for children younger than 5. 654-6400.

Dudley House Open House, Ashwood Avenue and Loma Vista Road. The historical home, covered in patriotic bunting and flags, will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for docent-led tours. Outside, a flea market and craft show will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors also can listen to 1920s recordings by Louis Armstrong and a 1940 broadcast of George Burns and Gracie Allen's popular radio show. Free. 644-3286 or http://www.dudleyhouse.org.

Westlake Village

Fourth of July Family Parade, 10 a.m. at Los Robles Urgent Care parking lot, Agoura and Lakeview Canyon roads. Children and parents can decorate bikes, strollers, wagons and themselves for the annual event sponsored by the Westlake Village Junior Women's Club. The parade will travel four blocks to Bennett Park, where kids can get patriotic tattoos (temporary ones) and enjoy refreshments, clowns and music until noon. Free. http://www.westlakejuniors.org.

Calabasas

Fireworks Spectacular at Calabasas High School, 22855 W. Mulholland Highway. Gates will open at 5 p.m. The fireworks display — 10 minutes longer this year — will start at 9 p.m. Other activities include live music by Fast Times, a kids' play zone and food available for sale. Tickets, $10 for general admission and free for kids younger than 2, are available in advance at the Tennis & Swim Center, 23400 Park Sorrento; and Juan Bautista de Anza Park, 3701 Lost Hills Road. Tickets won't be sold on site. 818-222-2782 or http://www.cityofcalabasas.com.

Earlier in the day, city-sponsored activities at the Tennis & Swim Center include a Lakeside Fun Run from 8 to 11 a.m. ($15-$20 registration fee); a pet show at 11 a.m.; and a Summer Splash Party with free swimming, tennis, a barbecue, music and dancing from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Santa Barbara

Fourth of July Patriotic Concert: 5 p.m. at Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens, Anapamu and Anacapa streets. The annual concert by the Santa Barbara Symphony and Choral Society has a "Travel Across America" theme and will feature patriotic and American music, including Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," the theme from "Rocky," "Georgia on My Mind," John Williams' "Liberty Fanfare," "God Bless the USA" and "Chicago." Pre-concert music at 4 p.m. will feature bluegrass band Peter Feldman and the Very Lonesome Boys and the percussion group Dancing Drum. Take chairs or blankets. Picnics are welcome. Free. 898-9386; http://www.thesymphony.org.

Freedom Celebration and Fireworks Show at West Beach, State and Cabrillo streets. The city of Santa Barbara will sponsor a concert by Ike Jenkins and the Monday Madness Jazz Band and singer Lisa LaVie at 7 p.m., to be followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. http://www.santabarbaraca.gov.