It's time for Independence Day, and it's time for.
Guess where the best in the entire San Fernando Valley are? Right here in Studio City.
Here are some of the reasons why:
1. There's something for the whole family, from movie and TV cars, to a kids inflatables section in the Kids Fun Zone to a business expo. A good way to spend the afternoon with the entire family.
2. There's not a bad seat in the house. If you know where to find a spot (we think the best is just outside the parking lot near the bridge), just stake it out and bring chairs.
3. You can bring lots of your friends. There's plenty of room, it's a huge studio lot, and about 5,000 people attend each year.
4. It's a good way to get your business noticed. Too late for this year, but there's a place to set up a booth if you plan it in advance.
5. There's great local entertainment on the various stages. Magicians Ariann Black and Brandon Scott will perform. There will be pirate shows, and a dunk tank where pirates and mermaids from Mutiny Magazine will be the victims.
6. There's great food everywhere, especially the Smokehouse BBQ.
7. You'll see a celebrity. Just look around. There's Wendy Greuel, there's George Lopez, there's Geena Davis.
8. It's not too long of a day. Things begin at 4:30 p.m. and they're done by 9:30 p.m. You have to get in there by 8 p.m. though.
9. It's close by, at the Radford Studios, (4024 Radford Ave.)
10. It's on a history studio lot. Not many studios allow their lots to be so open to the public, and you can walk through the street sets. This is where classics such as Gilligan's Island, Seinfeld, Will & Grace and Mary Tyler Moore were shot, as well as John Wayne movies and now Hot in Cleveland and Hawaii Five-O are shot.
11.Petty Theft, a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is on the main stage.
12. Grammy Winner Pete Anderson will be in the VIP Room.
13. Kids big and small can learn to fly and even test a model airplane in one of the studios with the Blacksheep Squadron.
14. It's been around a long time, it's the 14th year. Star a family tradition!
15. All kinds of movie and TV show cars will be on display by the .
16. Some people say the Studio City Fireworks are the best in the San Fernando Valley—even better than Universal Studios’s display, and even more powerful than the fireworks synchronized to the symphony at the Hollywood Bowl. CBS2 and KCAL 9 weatherman Josh Rubenstein goes one step further and says, “These fireworks are the best in Southern California.”
17. The fireworks are synchronized with Channel 2 and 9 and on their websites, and both stations are on the studio lot.
18. Tickets are about the same as a movie and popcorn. General admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. VIP rooftop spots run up to $100, but the view is far more spectacular. Click here for more info.
19. Some of the proceeds benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation.
20. Local master fireworks artist Marty Rosenstock, who also does the Hollywood Bowl fireworks this year, is designing the display.
21. You're guaranteed to say "ooh" and "aah" a whole lot.
For more on the day's events and tickets, go here. Happy Independence Day!
