A DAM GOOD TIME; HANSEN HOSTS FUN, AMERICAN-STYLE.

Byline: Kathryn Combs Staff Writer

One round on a carnival ride might satisfy some, but for 7-year-old Christopher Armstrong, the thrill gets better with repetition.

``They're just fun because they go fast and I like doing it again and again,'' he said, while pestering his mom to let him take one more turn on the Super Scissors at the Hansen Dam Fourth of July weekend celebration Saturday.

His mom, Genevieve Armstrong, said she doesn't get to see her children often enough and she wanted to make the holiday weekend special.

The Hansen Dam celebration was just the ticket, and she was happy, she said, to let Christopher get on the rides as many times as his heart desired.

The Armstrongs weren't alone this weekend, as many a family trekked out to Hansen Dam Park to enjoy not only the carnival, but also the beautiful weather.

This year's celebration, which began Friday with the carnival's arrival, features familiar rides such as the Kamikaze and the Gravitron. The traditional fireworks display is scheduled for around 9 tonight, but the park will host local entertainment during the day, provided by the Los Angeles Police Band and the Vision Choir.

Irwin Silon, vice president of the Fourth of July Celebration committee, encouraged anyone who does not already have weekend plans to join him and others out at the dam in commemoration of American Independence.

``Any one who wants to come on down for a good time, come on down, it's free!'' he said. ``It's not just for the Northeast Valley, it's for everyone.''

For 13-year-old Denise Statland, who lives in nearby Tujunga, the mix of the carnival and fireworks are what attracted her and friend Kendra to the dam Saturday.

``Other countries have an Independence Day, but they don't have carnivals and fireworks like this,'' she said, while in line to buy ride tickets. ``It makes our country unique. It's how we show our spirit.''

This year's carnival and street fair featured the rides, as well as ring-toss booths and a mix of edible goodies, including popcorn and cotton candy.

But it was the laid-back street fair atmosphere that drew 12-year-old Daisy Rubalcaba Gomez.

``I like going to fairs to have fun playing games and spending time with friends,'' she said. ``For me, the Fourth of July is a day to have fun, plus it's the only day there's fun stuff like this to do.''

While waiting for Christopher to finish his third and final ride on the Super Scissors, Armstrong reflected on the meaning of the Fourth of July holiday for her and her family.

``Any excuse to celebrate life and to bring the people of a nation together is a worthwhile endeavor,'' she said.