At the Push 'em-Pull 'em Parade and Street Fair in Ventura, parents carted children waving American flags in decorated wagons while David Howard pushed for world peace.

Patriotism comes in all forms, he said, and July Fourth was a time for his Ventura-based grass-roots group, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, to talk with folks and hand out fliers and pins promoting a "peaceful global society."

"It's a time of reflection for us, for looking at the state of the world and the direction we're going in," Howard said. "This is a year of change."

Howard and Kristin Storey, another volunteer, stood underneath a banner that read "Beyond War."

On the booth's table was a wooden stick, bearing the words "May Peace Prevail on Earth," which will be built soon as an 8-foot-tall pole in nearby Memorial Park.

"People have been very supportive today," Storey said.

The theme of the morning parade was Summer Spree for Liberty, which drew dozens of kids who participated in the procession.

As people walked up and down Main Street, Glen Fisher took a break from the action with his dog, Molly, a cocker spaniel. He was soaking in the cool and sunny vibes.

"So far so good, the weather is beautiful," Fisher said.

Nearby, Judy Skinner was manning her booth, Collectiques by Jubee. She's been selling her ceramic decorative items at the July Fourth fair for 10 years and said business has slowed down this year.

"It's the economy," Skinner said. "People are worried about gas and paying bills." She said her best-sellers were the $20 ceramic flower pots.

In Oxnard, the 11th annual Fireworks by the Sea kicked off at 8 a.m. with a 10K and 5K run and walk. Then hundreds of people walked down Harbor Boulevard to the Whale's Tail Restaurant.

Nearby, at Marine Emporium Landing, food booths, a barbecue, a rock-climbing wall, inflatable jumps, a petting zoo and pony rides rounded out the festivities, which appealed to one out-of-towner and his family.

"We're in it for the long haul," said Richard Smith, decked out in a red, white and blue outfit. He and his family came down from Northern California and camped out in an RV along Victoria Avenue. Others had cookouts and waited for the grand finale, the fireworks display at 9 p.m.

"It's a perfect day to be with the family," Smith said.

There were July Fourth festivities all over the county. At Adolfo Camarillo High School, families spread out their lawn chairs and picnics on the football field in the afternoon to listen to live music and await the fireworks show.

Some reflected about the holiday. Dennis Yohman, 57, said everyone should remember the sacrifices that the men and women in uniform have made, and continue to make, for this country. "This is a time to appreciate what we have, thanks to the sacrifices that they made," said Yohman, as he rested against his motorcycle in the school parking lot.

Yohman said it's too easy to take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. "These are freedoms that we should appreciate every day."

For Todd Harter, "the Fourth of July means everything to me."

"It should mean everything to others who live here as well," he said as he reflected on a long list of benefits and freedoms that he said come with living in the United States.

Perhaps foremost among them "is the freedom to be who you want to be and believe what you want" without fear of reprisal.

"This is what makes this a great country," said Harter, who works as a sales manager at an automobile dealership. As did Yohman, Harter said those living in this country would not have these freedoms were it not for the sacrifices made by those who fought on our behalf.

"This is the land of the free because of the brave," Harter said.

— Star staff writer John Scheibe contributed to this report.