Libby Molyneaux's Hoopla has got you covered:

Somebody’s independence is showing — happy birthday, you big ol’ gal we like to call the U.S. of A. Today we grill, we quaff amber-colored fluids of grain, and we (illegally) make loud bangs of explosive color. Just like our forefathers fought for. Of course, we bought our tickets weeks ago (yeah, right) for The Hollywood Bowl’s July 4th Fireworks Spectacular: A Ball at the Bowl With the L.A. Dodgers. Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley kicks things off with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” followed by classic baseball songs by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Like what? “It’s a Beautiful Day for a Ballgame,” “D-O-D-G-E-R-S (Oh, Really? No, O’Malley)” and “Casey at the Bat.” Tommy Lasorda leads the seventh-inning stretch, and Randy Newman pitches in with “I Love L.A.” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hlywd.; Wed.-Fri., July 2-4, 7:30 p.m.; $10-$114. (213) 480-3232.

Could anything be more patriotic than the annual pageantry of pecs known as the Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach contest? Guys and gals (sorta) in itty-bitty bikinis barely big enough to cover the lower states flex their right to flex their glutes. A parade precedes the finals. Venice Beach Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; Fri., July 4, 1 p.m. (registration 7:30 a.m.); free for spectators ($75 entry fee). (310) 399-2775.

Last year, Discover Boating — “a national boating public-awareness program” — named Marina del Rey one of the top cities in which to watch fireworks on the water. (Note to self: Get job with Discover Boating.) Good viewing at Burton Chace Park, 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey; Fri., July 4, 9 p.m. (310) 305-9545.

Kids and their parents are expected to come gussied up in their stars-and-stripes finest for Great American 4th of July Kids Bike Parade. Prizes for the most patriotic! Belmont Shore, corner of Granada and Ocean avenues, Long Beach; Fri., July 4, 10 a.m.; free. (310) 396-1585.

Americafest 2008 has delivered a stirring musical tribute to our country’s independence with patriotic, Broadway and popular music for the whole family since 1926. This year features Drum Corps International Marching Music’s Major Leagues, with the country’s top drum and bugle corps. The evening culminates in a 30-minute pyro show not to be missed. Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena; Fri., July 4, noon-9 p.m.; $13, children 7 and under free. (626) 577-3101.

Your loudest Independence Day offering is the freestyle Motocross show of flying daredevils flipping 20 feet in the air, the roar of monster trucks known simply as KABOOM! Plus, the mother of all fireworks displays, choreographed by Pyro Spectaculars and set to music, whose credits include the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona; Fri., July 4, 8 p.m.; $14-$19.50, children 2 and under free. (909) 623-3111.

The sixth annual Vision Outside 4th of July Jazz and Blues Festival is a free event with nonstop music, plus crafts and such for kids. Vision Theatre back lot, 3341 W. 43rd Pl., Leimert Park; Fri., July 4, 1-7 p.m. (213) 202-5500 or www.culturela.org.

This year, the Studio City Chamber of Commerce couldn’t come up with a theme, so they decided to go for Journey Through Time. That means ’40s tunes by the Chantilly Sisters, Journey tribute band Escape, country music by Cody Sumpter, and family-friendly tunes by Pirate Charles, plus magic provided by magicians from the Magic Castle. CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City; Fri., July 4, 5-9:30 p.m.; $15 adult, $8 children in advance; $20 adult, $10 child at the door. (818) 655-5916.

For such an upscale neighborhood, Pacific Palisades puts on a pretty homey Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. Sunset Boulevard is shut down for a rousing parade led by this year’s grand marshal, 90-year-old English teacher Rose Gilbert. Later, a big fireworks show lights up Palisades High School. Sunset Blvd., between Temescal and Chautauqua, Pacific Palisades; Fri., July 4; skydiver 1:50 p.m.; parade 2 p.m.; fireworks 7 p.m. ­www.palisadesparade.org.

And don't let the fact there are 1,000 fires burning in California stop you from enjoying explosive rockets. More city fireworks after the jump…

15th Annual Independence Day Celebration

HANSEN DAM RECREATION AREA

4th of July Fireworks Festival at CBS Studios

CBS Studio Center

Americafest 2008: 82nd Annual 4th of July Celebration at the Rose Bowl

Rose Bowl

Culver City 4th of July Fireworks Show

Culver City High School

L.A. Coliseum 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza

L.A. MEMORIAL COLISEUM

And click here for our full calendar list of fireworks and events around the city on the Fourth of July.

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