Celebrate the Fourth

Bee Staff Reports

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For many of us, the long Fourth of July holiday weekend begins in earnest today, when some government and private offices and businesses will be closed. Just in time for the country's 233rd birthday, here's a quick look at some of the regional events planned today and Saturday:

Fireworks

Bombs will be bursting in the air tonight in Modesto and Manteca, and in many more cities throughout the area Saturday.

Lightwave International, which has put on laser shows for Madonna concerts and NBA and NHL games, will stage a similar production in Modesto for July Fourth.

The Modesto Nuts baseball team plans a fireworks show after its game tonight at John Thurman Field, while in Manteca the fireworks at the Big League Dreams complex complete a busy day of activities.

When darkness falls Saturday, expect to see the night sky light up in cities and towns across the valley and into the foothills.

One of the biggest displays will be in Turlock. The event moves to the Stanislaus County Fairground this year from its longtime home at California State University, Stanislaus.

And in Modesto, in place of a fireworks show, the Modesto Jaycees' 135th show will feature colorful lasers, fog and rock music at Enslen Park.

Parades

Manteca kicks things off at 10 a.m. today with the first of nearly a dozen parades.

Saturday, Marie Gallo is the grand marshal in the downtown Modesto parade, which is the first leg of an all-day celebration that includes a public picnic at Graceada Park.