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Have a sparkling Fourth of July

By Julia McHugh/Contributor

July Fourth falls on a Friday this year, making for a sparkling start to a holiday weekend. Santa Barbara’s Independence Day activities include fireworks and a parade, plus a military-flavored car show, free symphony concert, free baseball game and much more.

Marching down State Street

The Independence Day Parade, presented by the all-volunteer Spirit of ’76 Association, starts at 1 p.m. at Micheltorena and continues down State Street to Cota, where there will be a display of vintage military vehicles (many from World War II) plus Model-T autos and a pre-Ford Motor Company vehicle from 1893; www.spiritof76sb.org.

‘This Land is Your Land’

The Santa Barbara Symphony and Santa Barbara Choral Society will perform patriotic favorites, light classics and a touch of blues at 5 p.m. in the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Bring your lawn chair and picnic dinner to this free concert, led by guest conductor Diane Wittry.

Themed “Travel Across America,” the show features pieces from across the country, like “New York, New York,” “St. Louis Blues,” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” There are also sing-along patriotic favorites such as “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless the USA”; www.thesymphony.org.

Batter up!

See some of the best collegiate baseball players when the Forresters take on the Maxim Yankees at a free July 4 game at Pershing Park starting at 4:30 p.m. The Forresters, our local team, were the best in their league last season; they consistently finish first or in the top four of the National Baseball Congress.

The Forresters have returned from a trip to Cuba, where they are the only summer ball team ever invited to play the Cuban National Team (Gold Medal winners in three of the last four Olympics). Go, team!

They play the Yankees again at 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at UCSB; only $5 for adults, and $1 for seniors and kids 12 and younger; 684-0657; www.sbforesters.org.

At the beach

Pre-fireworks festivities at West Beach begin at 7 p.m. when the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West plays patriotic music. Don’t be startled by a flyover of F-16 jets around 8 p.m. The gorgeous over-the-water fireworks start at 9 p.m., sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara and nonprofit SPARKLE; 961-2556.

In Goleta

CANCELED: “An Old Fashioned 4th of July” is held at Stow House and features live music, hayrides, barbecue, various games and races, local artists, classic cars, museum tours and more down-home fun and entertainment. Bring the family for a relaxed, nostalgic day. Suggested donation: $5 for adults, free for supervised children under 12 (off the Los Carneros exit, 681-7216; www.goletahistory.org.

The Goleta Fireworks Festival is a family friendly, alcohol-free afternoon of fun-filled entertainment for all ages, capped by a fireworks display. The fun starts at 4 p.m. at Girsh Park (on the south side of Camino Real Marketplace); $6 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and younger; 967-4618 or 968-2773; www.goletafireworks.org.

Julia McHugh can be reached at southon101column@yahoo.com.