Fourth of July events planned throughout Las Vegas Valley

VIEW FILE PHOTOThe Las Vegas Philharmonic orchestra performs the "1812 Overture" as fireworks burst in the night sky at the 2005 Star Spangled Spectacular, held annually on the Fourth of July at Hills Park in Summerlin. Advertisement

Grab your American flag. Pull on your red, white and blue T-shirt. It's time for the Summerlin Council's Patriotic Parade, among other events.

Summerlin's parade is set to begin at 9 a.m. Friday. It starts at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive in The Trails Village of Summerlin and proceeds toward the Village Center Circle roundabout before turning west on Trailwood Drive.

"I don't think there's anything more apple pie than a parade ... to celebrate the nation's birthday," said Tom Warden, senior vice president of community and government relations for The Howard Hughes Corp., a part of General Growth Properties and developer of Summerlin.

Last year, Summerlin Council added oversized balloons to its parade. It featured a 30-foot helium balloon of the American flag, a 15-foot-tall Uncle Sam hat and three 16-foot-tall balloons in patriotic colors.

This year, more large helium balloons are slated for the lineup, including an American eagle, the Liberty Bell, a purple octopus and a panda bear. The bear is sponsored by Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, which has a panda bear for a mascot. The octopus complements a float with an under-the-sea theme.

In all, organizers signed up more than 70 entries, including traditional floats, dance performers, musical groups, cars and other decorated vehicles, dignitaries and local mascots.

The event is free and open to the public. This marks the 14th year that the Patriotic Parade has been held. As many as 30,000 spectators attended in 2007, the council reported.

For more information, call 341-5500 or e-mail summerlin patrioticparade@thhc.com.

The Fourth of July festivities continue Friday evening when the Las Vegas Philharmonic, under music director David Itkin, presents the Star Spangled Spectacular, beginning at 8 p.m. at Hills Park in Summerlin, 9000 Hillpointe Road. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

The finale song, the "1812 Overture," will be complemented by a full fireworks show by pyrotechnics company Zambelli Internationale.

Adult tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate; children ages 6-12 pay $20 in advance and $25 at the gate; children ages 5 and under get in free. Food will be available for purchase.

Pavilion tickets cost $100 and include food. No one under age 21 will be allowed in the pavilion.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 895-2787 or visit www.lasvegas philharmonic.com.

Northwest valley residents also will have an opportunity to see a fireworks show, courtesy of Station Casinos. Santa Fe Station and Red Rock Resort will host segments of what is being billed by the Gruccis of New York as the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi. The free show begins at 9:30 p.m. Friday in the sky over Red Rock Resort and Santa Fe Station.

The Station Casinos' show, "Lights Over Vegas," will be nine minutes long. Besides Red Rock Resort and Santa Fe Station, fireworks will light up the sky over Green Valley Ranch and Sunset Station in Henderson and Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho in North Las Vegas.

The fireworks show will be choreographed to music simulcast on four radio stations: KKLZ 96.3-FM, KCYE 104.3-FM, KFRH 102.7-FM and KDWN 720-AM.