By Lookout Staff

July 4, 2012 -- Santa Monica will celebrate Independence Day with a traditional parade down Main Street Wednesday morning, a special light show at night on the Pacific Park Ferris wheel at the Pier, but no fireworks.

If you missed the fireworks during "Celebrate America" at Santa Monica College last weekend, or want to catch another display on the Fourth, there are plenty of choices up and down the coast from Redondo Beach to Pacific Palisades.

In fact, you can view all of the fireworks displays from the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel, which stands 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean and will be spinning with a dazzling display of patriotic colors and patterns after the sun sets shortly after 8 p.m.

The Independence Day festivities start at 9:30 a.m. with a parade that will wind its way from the Civic Center down Main Street to the Venice border.

The parade -- whose theme is science and technology -- will celebrate the "imaginative, inventive spirit of our nation’s founders," including Benjamin Franklin, who was an inventor, parade officials said.

In keeping with the theme, the parade will have several grand marshalls, all of them science teachers. They are Benjamin Kay from Santa Monica High School, Joe Wise from New Roads High School, Marianna O’Brien from Lincoln Middle School and Kristin Jurewicz from John Adams Middle School.

“The science teachers deserve to take a bow for the tremendous work they have done for the children of our community” says Lori Nafshun, one of the 4th of July Parade Founders. 

“In these days of emphasizing standardized testing, it’s important to have teachers in our schools who have an opportunity to teach critical thinking," Nafshun said. "We owe the science teachers our gratitude for helping to keep the passion for learning alive.” 

This year, the Ocean Park Association is partnering with The Buy Local Santa Monica Committee, which is encouraging residents to spend their money in the beachside city during tough economic times.
 
Following is a partial list of celebrations on the Fourth:

• Marina Del Rey – In the Marina Harbor. Visit: http://www.visitmarinadelrey.com/schedule/events/07/2012

• Culver City High School – Gates open at 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. See http://culvercityfireworksshow.com/ .

• Pacific Palisades – Parade at 2 p.m. along Sunset Boulevard. Fireworks show at Palisades Charter High School with entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. $6.00 at the gate.  www.palisadesparade.org

• El Segundo – Daytime events, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at El Segundo Recreation Park.  Entertainment starts at 5 p.m.  For more information, see: www.southbayevents.com

• Redondo Beach Pier – Gates open at 2 p.m. For more information: www.redondofireworks.com

Those who want to stay in Santa Monica can take in the fireworks with a panoramic view from the  Ferris Wheel at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. LA’s only admission free amusement park offers 12 amusement rides, 18 midway games and an oceanfront food plaza. Prices and operating hours are subject to change.

For more information and operating hours, please call (310) 260-8744, visit pacpark.com.

The Santa Monica Police Department warns celebrants not to use fireworks, which often start brush, home, and forest fires, posing a safety hazard.  Many people, including young children, are injured or burned each year from using even “Safe and Sane” fireworks, according to police.

"All fireworks are illegal to sell, possess, or use in the City," said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the P{olice Department spokesman. "This includes the “Safe and Sane” fireworks as well. 

"Any fireworks in your possession will be confiscated," Lewis said. "Their possession is punishable by fines, imprisonment or both."