THE VALLEY'S 'LAST BLAST' CSUN STAGING FINAL FIREWORKS SHOW AS SPRAWL ENCROACHES.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Fourth of July fireworks spectacles have started to fizzle across the San Fernando Valley as large patriotic displays fall victim to growing development and tight budgets.

When the last fireworks explode over California State University, Northridge, on Wednesday, a 23-year tradition will die over the former Devonshire Downs. This is the last year of the CSUN Extravaganza, and its demise - along with the last-minute failure of the Los Angeles Valley College fireworks show - will leave most of the Valley with no Big Bang to cheer Independence Day in 2002.

Three small fireworks shows - plus a larger display in Burbank - mark a meltdown of a Fourth of July fireworks tradition for generations of Valley families.

``This is the last blast,'' said George McQuade, master of ceremonies for the 23rd Annual Valley of the Stars Fireworks Extravaganza. ``It is devastating to the San Fernando Valley.''

The July 4 Tri-Chamber show that has drawn more than 200,000 patriots to the CSUN North Campus Stadium field since 1978 is in its last year, a victim of commercial development.

The other major fireworks event, the Valley College fireworks show, doused its powder this week over a contract dispute between its producer and school administrators.

That means no more massive shows for many Valley residents.

Smaller fireworks shows at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch and the CBS Studios show in Studio City - along with the Burbank fireworks blast and a lesser show in San Fernando - will provide the Valley's last big pyrotechnics.

But the thunderous displays and patriotic celebrations such as those at Pierce College, Granada Hills, Hansen Dam, Valley College - and very soon, CSUN - have all gone the way of the dinosaur. The shows are expensive to produce and make little money.

For many of the Valley's 1.4 million residents, that means a long tradition of red, white and blue jubilation will be lost on new generations, many of them immigrants.

Those in search of the fireworks tradition elsewhere must haul their families to the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Ventura County, Calabasas or over the hill into other parts of Los Angeles.

``There's no place on the planet - we're running out of room,'' said Marion Creighton, a volunteer at the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce that produces the CSUN Extravaganza in concert with the Granada Hills and Northridge/Porter Ranch chambers.

``The sprawl has hit the wall, so we have no place left to go,'' she said. ``We'll have to go back to a sparkler in our back yard - (providing) we don't get caught.''

This year at CSUN, however, flag wavers needn't worry.

The Valley of the Stars Fireworks Extravaganza at Devonshire Street and Zelzah Avenue will feature live music, classic cars, carnival rides, games, magic shows, merchants, festival fare and drinks.

And lots and lots of fireworks.

Unlike previous years, there should be ample parking for more than 10,000 expected fans. For those who prefer to sit on their rooftops rather than pay at the gate, there will be a prolonged fireworks finale to signal a final hurrah.

Gates will open at 2 p.m., and fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. with a 25-minute show.

``It kind of makes Northridge feel like Main Street America,'' said Marty Laff, chairwoman of the Northridge Chamber of Commerce. ``Part of Main Street America is our cars and our hot dogs and our fireworks show ... the music and lots of kids and families together.

``I think it's the end of an era.''

Though Laff said chamber officials are working to find a new site, nothing's turned up. ``We have to carry on some kind of tradition,'' she said. ``The Valley has to have a show on the Fourth of July.''

The CSUN show, according to Extravaganza Chairman Tom Williams, was born from Proposition 13 - the anti-property tax initiative that left Los Angeles without funding for its annual fireworks shows.

Feeling a show was necessary for Valley pride and patriotism, the three North Valley chambers agreed to fill the breach.

The first CSUN shows were dusty affairs, officials said, but were improved with the North Campus Stadium. Some shows were so extravagant they included music from Tchaikovsky's ``1812 Overture.''

``We actually had a cannon, a real cannon that was part of the ceremony,'' said Williams, who has been with the show from the beginning.

The show is dying from commercial development. University officials approved a plan to allow MiniMed Inc., a medical equipment innovator, to expand onto the venue once affectionately known as Devonshire Downs for hosting the San Fernando Valley Fair - as well as Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, the Eagles and other rock icons. It's also home to the fireworks.

``I'm sure that the community will miss the Extravaganza,'' said CSUN spokeswoman Carmen Ramos Chandler. ``It has been a long tradition in the San Fernando Valley. I hope the Tri-Chamber can find another home for it.''

Valley College, site of a free Independence Day fireworks festival since 1996, has been the center of a dispute between organizers and a new school administration over cost and preparedness.

School officials contend that the event, which has drawn more than 10,000 visitors each year, failed to get off the ground because of late discussions over reimbursement for security, cleanup and other costs.

The college, administrators added, is prohibited by state law from picking up any costs for Fourth of July programs.

Its promoter, however contends the college, which at one time encouraged the event in a hands-off manner, quadrupled its fee to $22,000 and quibbled about details already handled by the city and Waldman Entertainment.

A lack of public Fourth of July sparks, ironically, comes while Los Angeles city fire officials urge residents to forgo backyard fireworks for public fireworks displays.

``The private use of fireworks is destructive,'' said Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Little, in charge of the city fireworks program.

``We recommend people go to public shows, or find some other way to celebrate the Fourth - people aren't limited to the San Fernando Valley, they can go outside the area.''

Residents, however, are disappointed over a disappearing Valley fireworks tradition that now lacks even a Fourth of July parade.

``Years ago, when my kids were small, we'd go over to Pierce College when you could lay your blanket on the grass,'' said Darrell King, 65, of Canoga Park. ``Hundreds and hundreds went, and it was really enjoyable.

``It annoys me they don't allow that anymore.''

Charles Jones, 66, of Northridge is sad over the loss of the Fourth of July rainbow over CSUN.

``We're gonna miss it,'' said Jones, whose family of seven kids hasn't missed a CSUN fireworks show in 10 years. ``We'll probably get some (fireworks) on TV, but I don't know on what channel.''

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4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS