Calabasas planning parade, big bang for July Fourth

Calabasas expects its biggest Fourth of July celebration ever.

On the Fourth, everyone looks forward to the annual Calabasas Fireworks Spectacular with live music, children's games and crafts and, of course, fireworks galore.

In addition to the pyrotechnics at Calabasas High School, the city is co-hosting its inaugural Fourth of July Parade.

"I think that this year, we're looking to create a sense of Interdependence Day," said Calabasas Mayor Dennis Washburn. "We're looking to make sure that we all recognize how interconnected we are and how interdependent we are in all parts of the world."

Washburn said the Calabasas Fourth of July parade will benefit the residents of Plaquemines Parish, a small community of 26,000 people south of New Orleans that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

The parade is free and will begin at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Park Granada and Parkway Calabasas. It will travel north on Parkway Calabasas to Calabasas Road. The procession will continue down Calabasas Road and end at Park Centre for followup activities.

Assembly for the parade will be on Park Granada and Parkway Calabasas from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information about the parade or to register as a participant, visit the website at www.spiritofcalabasas.org.

At 5 p.m., celebrants can go to Calabasas High School at 22855 W. Mulholland Highway for live entertainment, food and games.

The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets for the fireworks presentation go on sale today, Thurs., June 1 at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center and Juan Bautista De

Anza Park. The

$10 admission

price includes parking, entertainment and all activities. Food and beverages will be on sale at the site. Call (818) 880-6461 for more information.

The city will barricade several streets near the high school during the Fourth of July event at the high school to assist with traffic flow. Beginning at 5 p.m., sheriff's deputies will restrict access at the corners of Mulholland Highway and Freedom Drive, Mulholland Drive and Old Topanga Canyon Road, and Valmar and Park Ora.

For residents' guests who will visit homes in the barricaded areas, neighborhood passes are available beginning today at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club, at 23400 Park Sorrento Road. Call the club at (818) 222-2782 for details.

Other activities planned on the Fourth of July in Calabasas include: +The Lakeside Fun Run be

tween 8 and 11 a.m. at the lake behind the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center. Call the club for details and registration.

+ A pet show at 11 a.m. at the greenbelt adjacent to the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center. Call the club for details.

+The Summer Splash Party between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center will include a barbecue, music and dancing, free swimming, free tennis and games.