IT'S PARTY TIME 2000 ANTELOPE VALLEY PLAYING HOST TO MANY MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS.

Byline: John Sanders Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Antelope Valley will ring in the millennium with fireworks, parties and church services.

Kicking off the celebrtions will be a 6:30 p.m. fireworks show at Palmdale High School's Riewer Field, located on 20th Street East south of Palmdale Boulevard.

Described as the biggest fireworks display ever held in the Antelope Valley, the show will launch more than 1,400 rockets - nearly three times the 500 or so shot during Palmdale's July 4 fireworks show.

``The finale in the last two minutes is 400 shells,'' said Steve Buffalo, the City of Palmdale special events coordinator. ``That's about our entire show for the Fourth of July.''

The fireworks show will be accompanied by a musical medley of songs showcasing music of the last century. Granstand and lawn seating will be available.

Admission is free and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Four churches will come together to host a millenium celebration and worship service.

First Missionary Baptist Church, Harvest Community Church, Shining Light Worship Center and Christ Missionary Baptist Church will host the event in the gymnasium of Littlerock High School, located at 10833 E. Ave. R.

``I'm just extremely excited,'' First Missionary Baptist Church pastor Henry Hearns said. ``Everything is ready to have a worship service to the Lord like the Antelope Valley won't be able to handle.''

The night will begin with a potluck dinner from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring a main dish or side dish, salad or dessert to feed six people.

At 9 p.m., there will be a worship service, a live band will provide the entertainment and child care will be offered.

Because the event could go all night, organizers advised guests to bring sleeping bags, pillows and flashlights, just in case. The event is free to the public.

For more information contact the First Missionary Baptist Church at [phone], Harvest Community Church at [phone], Christ Missionary Bible Church at [phone] or Shining Light Worship Center at [phone].

Another local church, Word of Life, will host its own celebration from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The night will begin with a full course meal including roast, chicken or ham, vegetables, salads and desserts.

``It's not too many times that a person will have a chance to witness a millennium going into another century,'' pastor Jeryl Ross' wife, Alice, said.

The church will have music and poetry readings for people who want to share their poetry. It will also have Elder Timothy Thomas of Bremerton, Was., as its guest speaker from Bremerton, Wa.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for children at the 38514 9th St. E. For more information contact Word of Life Church at [phone].

Schooners restaurant at 43807 15th St. W. in Lancaster will host a millennium party that includes a room for two at the Inn of Lancaster.

The party package includes a commemorative millennium bottle in each room, a shuttle ride to Schooners and back, two party passes to Schooners, an all night buffet, party favors, a toast at midnight and dancing all night.

If one doesn't want the deluxe package they can buy a ticket that includes party favors, a toast and dancing.

The top package costs $165 per couple, and the party without the hotel room is $25 per person. For $12.50 above the standard price the all night buffet can be purchased.

For more information contact Schooners at [phone] or [phone].

Coach's at 43451 Gadsden Ave. in Lancaster will also host a Y2K party featuring limo rides home for guests. For $55 per person ($75 at the door), partygoers receive dinner including dessert, unlimited drinks, champagne toast and a limo ride to and from home.

For more information on Coach's party call [phone].

For youths age 17 and under Funland U.S.A. at 525 W. Ave. P-4 will have a youth New Year's Eve lock-in party from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Youths eight years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Admission is $25 per person and includes unlimited pizza and softdrinks, miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages and the arcade. Parents must pick their children up promptly at 12:30 a.m.

For more information on the New Year's Eve Lock-in Party contact [phone].

Finally, Camp Amencer, an interfaith retreat center at 9650 Lost Valley Ranch Road in Leona Valley, will be the site for people of all religions to pray for world peace in an event called the 72 Hours of Peace.

The camp chapel will be open from midnight Dec. 30 to midnight Jan. 2. Everyoone is welcome anytime to light a candle and pray for, or mediate on, peace, organizers said. Coffee will be provided around the clock.

``If we can start the new millennium with the concept of peace instead of war, I think we will have achieved something,'' said Bishop Bernard Price of The Church of St. Thomas Antiochene-Malabar Rite.

For more information on the event contact [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Exploding aerial fireworks (no caption)

(2 -- 3 -- color inset) Pyrotechnist Roger (Pops) Jobe, above left, will entertain Antelope Valley residents with a fireworks show tonight at Palmdale High School. At right, mortars will be used to launch pyrotechnic shells into the night sky. Many other celebrations are planned.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News