PRIDE REIGNS AT THEIR PARADES SOUTHLANDERS REVEL DESPITE VAGUE THREATS.

Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer

Despite vague warnings from officials about terrorism, Southern Californians flocked to parks, beaches, back yards and malls Thursday to celebrate America's birthday with appropriate fanfare.

Parades, parties and pyrotechnics from the shores to the valleys to the mountains offered revelers any number of ways to tap into their patriotism on the first Fourth of July since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

But even as people sparked up the charcoals and spread out the towels, news of a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport made people reflect that this was an Independence Day distinctly different from the one last year.

``That's why I have my shirt on today,'' said Allise Thompson of Northridge, wearing one with a picture of firefighters raising the flag near the rubble at the World Trade Center.

``It makes you more appreciative now of the freedom we have,'' said Tom Jackels of Northridge, who brought his family to Sepulveda Basin Recreation Center for a bike ride, picnic and blues festival at Lake Balboa Park.

``It helps us realize that it's a short life,'' Jackels said, ``so have a blast while you last.''

But some people heeded the warnings that sites where many people gather could be terrorist targets, and they decided to make it a low-key day.

``We're staying close to home,'' said Tracy Jenkins of Northridge, who spent the morning walking around a mall with her husband and their twins, nearly 2 years old - all of them dressed in matching red, white and blue outfits.

``We just feel more comfortable. Of course, here we are in a mall,'' she laughed.

Others stayed near home to avoid a familiar Los Angeles terror - traffic jams.

``We used to go to Malibu, but we didn't want to go through all that traffic,'' said Jean Browne of Hansen Hills, who was barbecuing ribs, tri- tip and hot links for her family at Hansen Dam.

``Why go all the way to Malibu?'' Browne said she asked herself after learning there would be fireworks and music at Hansen Dam.

While some were staking out prime picnic spots, others were taking advantage of holiday bargains.

``They have good sales - 50 percent off everything,'' said Meila Espiritu of Northridge as she and her husband, Bernie, shopped for deals at the Northridge Fashion Center. For San Fernando Valley residents hoping to stay close to home, there were plenty of local Fourth of July events.

At Hansen Dam, a daylong celebration with music and performers drew scores of picnickers and culminated in a fireworks show. A holiday parade rolled along Sunland streets in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, Councilman Dennis Zine and the Valley Cultural Center sponsored a holiday festival at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills.

``I don't think you're ever too old to watch fireworks,'' said Ken Pepper of Sherman Oaks. He and his friend Lisa Howery of Sherman Oaks and her mother, Jill Belyeu of Maui, brought a picnic to Warner Center Park.

Los Angeles residents Debra and Forrest Poorman strolled through the park wearing matching red-white-and-blue pants and patriotic shirts. This Fourth of July was definitely more sentimental, Debra Poorman said.

``I cried when they said the Pledge of Allegiance, and I cried when they sang the national anthem,'' she said.

The Hollywood Bowl had its usual fireworks spectacular; composer- conductor John Williams led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program of patriotic tunes.

Staff Writer Lisa Sodders contributed to this story.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2) From left, Dee Runge of North Hollywood and Diana Oswalt of Van Nuys ride in a wagon during a Fourth of July block party held in Van Nuys. Above, 11-year-old Nancy Miret of Van Nuys shows the cake she made for the Independence Day celebration on Wish Avenue.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

(3) At the Fourth of July parade in Newhall, Sara Meyers, 4, rides down Lyon Avenue with Cub Scout Pack 527.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

(4) Eight-year-old Cub Scout Nicholas Shutt prepares to march in with the colors at the flag raising and Spirit of America Award ceremony, a Fourth of July presentation held at the Hall of Liberty in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

(5) The primary Children's Chorus: Glendale and North Hollywood Stakes members are reflected on a piano top Thursday as the children sing in the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(6) A squad of go-cart riders represents Antelope Valley Masonic Lodges at the Fourth of July parade in Acton.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer