Celebrating the Fourth

Advertier library photo

The three-day BayFest begins today with carnival rides, contests, displays, entertainment by Liz Phair tonight, Train Saturday and Jo Dee Messina Sunday, and fireworks displays each night. See story.

Kailua town celebrates the Fourth with a parade, festival and fireworks. The fun starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the 58th Annual 4th of July Parade. There will be community groups, car clubs, floats, carnivale costumes, Royal Hawaiian Band, Marine Corps Band and grand marshal Maj. Gen. Frank Steer, a 103-year-old Kailua resident and World War I veteran. The parade travels along Kainalu Drive and ends at Kailua Intermediate School. After the parade will be a Freedom Festival, noon-4 p.m. at Kailua District Park, with music, swimwear fashion show, antique military vehicles, and BOCA Hawaii/The Bike Factory's keiki safety obstacle course and free bike tune-ups. The festivities continue at 8 p.m. Sunday with a fireworks show off of Kailua Beach Park. Admission to all events is free.

The 4th of July Picnic in the Park takes place 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. over two days this weekend at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. Celebrate Independence Day with food, entertainment, keiki games, inflatables, displays and movies. On Saturday, there's entertainment by Ho'olu, Jan Kaeo, Amplified, Drill Team Hawaii, Na Pu'ukani, Royal Hawaiian Band, Chinese Jumping Lions and an All-Star Patriotic concert by Hawaii Stars. On Sunday, Two Girls and a Guy, Stacie Taniguchi, Paula Fuga, Kutmaster Spaz, Buckz Boyz with Simplisity, Na Leo Naha Nahe o Kupuna, SUGahDADDY, Shining Star and Jake Shimabukuro take to the stage.

Both days feature a children's stage with Filipino martial arts, Brazilian capoeira, Mystique the Magical Mermaid, Dancers of Paradise and Clowns of Aloha.

The fun continues each night across the street Sunset on the Beach at Queen's Surf Beach. On Saturday, there's entertainment by Batacumbe and the Marine Corps Band followed by fireworks and the movie "Cheaper by the Dozen" at 7:45 p.m. On Sunday, Son Caribe offers up salsa music, followed by "50 First Dates" at 7:30 p.m. Free. 923-1094, 523-2489.

Aloha Tower Marketplace hosts a Pre-Independence Day Celebration noon-9 p.m. Saturday. The festivities include entertainment at the Center Atrium by Kaiser High School cheerleaders, Paniolo Dancing Queens, Frank DeLima, Hula Ohana O Ilima, Roosevelt cheerleaders, kickboxing, karate and fencing demonstrations, and a fashion show. At the Carnival Bazaar at the base of the tower, there will be games, inflatable rides, eating contests, Honolulu Community Concert Band, kung fu and lion dance demonstration, and capoeira demonstration. At Pier 9, find festivities with Kapena and a fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. Admission is free, but scrip must be purchased for certain activities and food items. 566-2337.

The 33rd annual 4th of July Spectacular starts at 9 a.m. Sunday on Sills Field at Schofield Barracks. The day starts with a 5K run, followed by a children's one-mile fun run at 10 a.m. Games, rides, pony rides, arts and crafts, military car show and food booths open at 10 a.m. Entertainment on the Oceanic stage starts at 11 a.m., with Opihi Pickers, Ka'ala Boys, Da Braddahs, Tani Lynn and Jordan Segundo. At 4 p.m., there will be a flag retreat and the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Tropic Lightning Band mini concert. Entertainment on the main stage starts at 4:30 p.m. with Tino and the Rhythm Klub, followed by Sandi Patty at 5:45 and 7 p.m. Fireworks with music from the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Tropic Lightning Band light up the night at 8:30. Free. 656-0110.

It's a full day at Ala Moana Center on the Fourth of July, beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday. There'll be entertainment, sales events, summer line displays, product demonstrations and free samplings. The pre-fireworks show starts at 6 p.m. on the parking deck makai of Sears with Da Braddahs, Maunalua, the Navy Pacific Fleet Band, Ekolu and Cecilio & Kapono. At 8:30 p.m., the fireworks show begins off Magic Island beach park. Free. 955-9517.

Merry Point Field at Pearl Harbor Naval Station will be the spot for the July 4th Block Party 2-9 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy Made in Hawai'i specialty crafts, entertainment, rides, games, food and fireworks by Grucci. This free event is for those authorized to enter the naval station, not the general public. 735-4510, ext. 2.