Enjoy Independence Day with family and friends without fighting traffic. Stay close to home, grab a flag, and choose a prime fireworks-watching location. This year, it's all about simplicity, which is why we've organized the day's events from beginning to end. Whether you choose one activity or all of them, you'll be reminded that living in a "small" American town can be a beautiful thing.

Monday, July 4
Rotary Club's Annual Fourth of July Breakfast - 7 a.m.
Residents can start off their Fourth of July morning with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast hosted by the Santa Clarita Rotary Club. The pancakes will be served at the parking lot located on San Fernando Road between 5th and 6th streets in Newhall.

23rd Annual Independence Day Classic 5K - 8:45 a.m.
The race starts at Newhall Park and follows most of the parade route. Imagine running a 5K and having thousands of locals cheering you on! Proceeds from the run are given to the high school cross country teams. The event is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Runners and begins at Newhall Memorial Park, located at 24923 Newhall Avenue. Log on to www.scrunners.org to register.

Santa Clarita Fourth of July Parade - 9:45 a.m.
The theme for the 2005 parade is "My Hero," and the Santa Clarita Parade Committee invites residents both to participate in the parade and to watch from the sidelines. The parade will feature Sheriff's and Fire Department personnel, equestrian displays, floats, and numerous Santa Clarita Valley youth groups and organizations. The parade, which was held for the first time in 1932, runs north along San Fernando Road from 5th Street to Lyons Avenue, turns west on Lyons and north onto Orchard Village Road, ending at 16th Street. More information can be found at www.scvparade.com.

Fourth of July Festival - 11 a.m.
A Fourth of July Festival at Newhall Memorial Park will immediately follow the parade at 11 a.m. and will run until 3 p.m. Check out www.scvparade.com for more information.

Fireworks at the Lake - 8 p.m.
Enjoy a picnic dinner lakeside, then gather 'round the flannel blanket and "ooh" and "ahh"" over the doubly impressive fireworks display (the show is beautifully reflected on the lake). The cost is $25 per car, not per person, so load up the minivan and get there early for a prime location - lake staff no longer requires a re-entry, so you can arrive anytime during the day and stay for the evening's show. No alcohol is permitted on the premises. For more information, call Castaic Lake at 257-4050.

City of Santa Clarita's "Lights of Freedom" Fireworks Show - 9:15 p.m.
The City of Santa Clarita invites everyone to attend the annual July Fourth Fireworks Celebration at the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Presented free of charge and open to everyone, this year's show promises to be the most spectacular ever featured. The show, entitled "The Lights of Freedom," will begin promptly at 9:15 p.m. To accommodate a fall zone around the launch area, McBean Parkway will be closed between Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway between 8:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. the evening of the show.